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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dentist wants me to have my wisdom tooth out, but I don't want to - AIBU?

33 replies

hatethedentist · 29/11/2022 15:11

My wisdom tooth has grown in at an angle, such that it presses against my molar. It never caused me any pain, it grew in around 10 years ago for context, so my previous dentist said it was fine.

I went to a new dentist who did an x-ray which showed the wisdom tooth had damaged the molar and required a root canal. I had the root canal done, qhich required my dentist to cut away/file away some of my wisdom tooth to be able to get to the molar properly. So now my wisdom tooth doesn't touch my molar.

I've been referred to a dental hospital to have it removed, but I'm feeling really anxious about it. I'm wondering if because the tooth is no longer touching the molar it can stay in place? I'm really good with my dental hygiene, I floss everyday and make a point to keep that wisdom tooth really clean.

WIBU to say I don't want it removed?

OP posts:
LittIe · 29/11/2022 15:13

I'm wondering if because the tooth is no longer touching the molar it can stay in place

The only person who can answer that is your dentist, not unqualified randomers on Mumsnet.

Brefugee · 29/11/2022 15:14

they go to college and study for a long time to be dentists. Why do you think he has referred you to the dental hospital if it's fine?

Tdcp · 29/11/2022 15:16

I had the same problem with my wisdom tooth, it ended up going rotten in the inside even though my teeth are otherwise in great condition.

Charlieiscool · 29/11/2022 15:16

You can leave it there to rot if that’s what you want. No one is forcing you to do anything.

SleeplessInEngland · 29/11/2022 15:18

Yes, get it out.

Onnabugeisha · 29/11/2022 15:19

Teeth move. They tend to crowd towards the front over time. You should really have that wisdom tooth removed, it will cause more problems in the future. It’s already killed one molar.

GreenManalishi · 29/11/2022 15:31

If your dentist has recommended it be removed having seen an xray, then they think it needs to come out.

You could seek a second opinion, you could leave it where it is and see what happens, or you could speak with your dentist, tell them you're bricking it and ask for all the sediation they can throw at you, and take someone with you to stop you running away (I speak from experience) and go ahead with the extraction, those are your three options really.

It's better out than in I reckon, get shot of it!

F4chrissakes · 29/11/2022 16:10

Both wisdom teeth on my lower jaw grew sideways. No one suggested any treatment until one at a time about a year or so apart, they developed agonising abscesses; the offending tooth each side was removed once the abscess had cleared up enough. Trust me, the pain from an abscess is way, way worse than the discomfort of an extraction.

Original poster
hatethedentist · 29/11/2022 16:18

The referral for the extraction was put in before my tooth was filed down.

Ok I guess I will go ahead with the extraction, just really nervous about it and not sure if I'm going to need time off work

OP posts:
HealingbyFeeling · 29/11/2022 16:56

Hi OP, do you know if it will be under general anesthesia or not? Mine was under GA and I needed two weeks off work (although I had both bottoms done so I didn't have a good side to chew). If it's local then and only one side I would think a day or two would be ok.

lanthanum · 29/11/2022 17:18

Time off for wisdom teeth is VERY variable, but if you've been referred to a dental hospital rather than just having it out at the dentist, it's probably a general anaesthetic and a larger amount of time off work.

Nuffaluff · 29/11/2022 17:26

I have had wisdom teeth ‘without any problems’ for 20 years. They don’t appear to have grown any more.
Two months ago a chunk of my back molar broke off. My dentist told me it’s because of the wisdom tooth impacting on it. I have to wait on the NHS to take it out before I can get the molar crowned.
I would listen to my dentist.

jannier · 29/11/2022 17:33

The hospital will take x-rays look at them then decide even if your dentist sends x-rays in. They then make an appointment for removal.....no hospital will take them out if it's not needed.

IglesiasPiggl · 29/11/2022 17:36

By ignoring it, you are storing up problems for later. Much better to take the bull by the horns and get it sorted while the offer is there. So many things are being cut from NHS budgets, it might not be free in years to come. Do it now!

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 29/11/2022 17:38

You could (and will) have the 7 out in time if you don’t have the 8 out.
If it’s so badly damaged it needs root canal, taking the 7 is a reasonable alternative and sometimes both have to go.

Dustyblue · 29/11/2022 17:46

As a non-dentist I have no idea about your own teeth!- but it seems wisdom teeth are often better out than in.

Mine also grew on an angle, so I couldn't brush behind them and they rotted away from the back. Had both upper wisdoms out under local, in the chair, and honestly it was so quick. They must have been easy ones to yank out.

We don't really need wisdom teeth, don't worry about losing them. I'm not in the UK but I echo posters here saying don't wait- it'll only get worse and you might not get in later.

Best of luck, I hate teeth problems💐

declutteringmymind · 29/11/2022 18:00

Speak to the oral surgeon and see what they say.

CrapBucket · 29/11/2022 18:03

Its your mouth and you don't have to agree to anything you don't want!

I have had wisdom teeth out because they were hurting me. Its an absolute bastard of an operation and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't in pain.

ChocolateCakeYum · 29/11/2022 18:04

I had wisdom teeth that grew in at an angle. I also had a dentist who told me it was ok to leave them alone.

Yeah that didn't end well. My wisdom teeth rotted and one snapped. I also had to have a few molars out because they were being pushed against. I changed my dentist and he was shocked someone had told me to leave them in.

Get them out. Go to hospital and get it done. Recovery isn't that bad and pain is minimal.

londontonyc · 29/11/2022 18:50

hatethedentist · 29/11/2022 16:18

The referral for the extraction was put in before my tooth was filed down.

Ok I guess I will go ahead with the extraction, just really nervous about it and not sure if I'm going to need time off work

In case you're nervous, I had mine done recently under 60% sedation with the NHS. Slept right through and I didn't remember a thing! Waited only a week after referral. The sedation clinics are doing extractions all day every day, it only took 10 minutes.

Athenen0ctua · 29/11/2022 18:54

HealingbyFeeling · 29/11/2022 16:56

Hi OP, do you know if it will be under general anesthesia or not? Mine was under GA and I needed two weeks off work (although I had both bottoms done so I didn't have a good side to chew). If it's local then and only one side I would think a day or two would be ok.

Two weeks for everyone? My colleague was back the day after an extraction under GA, not a wisdom tooth though.

user573010482911233445559002281818484 · 29/11/2022 18:56

I was sedated for wisdom tooth removal. I had 3 out. Bar dry socket in one of the sites, it was fine.

I don't remember a thing.

user573010482911233445559002281818484 · 29/11/2022 18:56

I was back at work the next day.

Aprilx · 29/11/2022 18:58

Athenen0ctua · 29/11/2022 18:54

Two weeks for everyone? My colleague was back the day after an extraction under GA, not a wisdom tooth though.

Show quote history

Yes I was thinking that was bizarre! I had three wisdom teeth out under GA and was absolutely fine the next day.

HermioneWeasley · 29/11/2022 18:59

I had a wisdom tooth pulled at my dentist at about 5.30pm and was at work the next day. The sensation of having it pulled wasn’t fun (I felt tugging but no pain) and it was sore for about a week but over the counter painkillers dealt with it.