Has anyone had a wisdom tooth out for this?

[toothyache]

Got a partially erupted wisdom tooth on one side. This week (following a dental clean which I think irritated the area) I’ve had a bad case of pericoronitis which was cleaned by the dentist (agony) and then treated with antibiotics. It’s clearing up now and feels much better but I’m really worried about it happening again and I’m avoiding eating on that side for fear of food getting trapped in the gum flap.

I’ve only ever had one other episode of this and it was about 10 years ago and treated in the same way. I’m wondering if I’d meet the threshold for getting the tooth extracted? Dentist thinks not because flare ups have been so infrequent and easily dealt with but I don’t want to keep
worrying about it. They also said the waiting time on the NHS for extraction is about 18 months.

Has anyone had this and what did you do? I can’t afford to have it done privately and I’m working hard on keeping the area clean with salt water rinses and mouthwash.

I did have a partially erupted wisdom tooth out years ago. I had had a number of infections though and it was badly damaging the neighbouring tooth.

I know that they were reluctant to take it out earlier due to the proximity of my main nerve to the jaw. When they did it had to be under heavy sedation at the hospital. I can't remember if it was a general anesthetic in the end, it was certainly discussed.

Sorry not sure if this helps.

Do you know if there are complicating factors such as nerves close to the root?

Not that I know of. I had a problematic one on the other side which I have had taken out years ago as it was coming through at a very bad angle and eventually decayed and decayed the molar next to it too. Recent xrays (with the last year) don’t show any of these issues with my existing wisdom tooth but it does have the flap over it which is common apparently.

Getting food there and not being able to brush it will jeopardise the molar in front over the years

Id get your name down on the waiting list

For NHS removal you’d need to have had at least 2 episodes of pericoronitis requiring antibiotics (as per NICE guidelines) in the absence of other factors eg unrestorable decay, so a referral would be rejected

Well I have technically had this now but they has been a big gap between them (10 years) so would this still qualify?

I went on the waiting list a few years ago and had both my partially erupted lower wisdom teeth taken out under GA last year. They'd never caused me any real issues other than occasional mild infections, but I didn't fancy waiting until they did and it then potentially being something which isn't covered by the NHS in the future. I already pay something like £100 for a check up and clean at a private dentist, so dread to think how much a private coronectomy would set me back!

Wait list on the NHS is easily 18 months depending on area. That’s for a referral for a wisdom tooth that your own dentist cannot take out.
once referred you get triaged and either sent to maxilo facial in hospital or to a specialist dental clinic/hospital.
tends to depend on size and location to nerve etc.
if it’s a standard extraction your own dentist should be able to do it on a routine appointment.
I’ve gone through all pathways so my suggestion would be to get the referral in.
Use a mouthwash as that helps too.

Its definitely worth an ask as waiting lists are long i think I'd had 8 0r 9 lots of antibiotics by the time mine was taken out but that was due to the length of the waiting list plus it was during covid which didn't help

I had a similar wisdom tooth removed privately, was £350. May be worth considering if you can.

I really can’t. I paid privately for the last one as it was so painful and it was in excess of £500. This one isn’t as bad, only when the gum flares up which it has only done twice in 10 years and has been treated with antibiotics both times. For me it’s more the worry of it happening again. I really can’t cope with dental pain, it’s almost a phobia for me and I’m getting a bit obsessive about keeping the area clean and checking on it etc. There are arguments for and against extraction and if it were happening more frequently I probably would find a way to go private but in this case I don’t think it warrants it just yet.