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Original poster

Anyone had a lower jaw impacted wisdom tooth removed? I'm terrified ((

54 replies

Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 11:48

I have a wisdom tooth in my lower jaw that grows sideways, its partially sticking out and and is a complete nuisance and its hard to clean, and is painful when it decides to frow. I was referred to the oral surgeon for this, and finally had an appointment - but did not have it done as got absolutely terrified. The dentist was very professional but had zero compassion. He was also quite off with me: my dentist when she referred me suggested that I cant have that tooth removed as its too close to some nerves in my jaw, and might need only part of it removed; i mentioned it to this guy and he basically told me that he will do whatever I want but he thinks I can have the tooth removed safely and leaving roots in might cause problems in the future. But that he doesn't really care and do whatever. Then he proceeded to tell me how to remove the tooth he will need to cut the jaw and cut the tooth to bits, take it out and then stitch the gum. I literally nearly fainted. He just laughed. Anyway, I asked to have another appointment as I want quite ready. I know I need it doing as I was told it looks like its starting to rot underneath and it started to affect my jawbone, but I feel totally scared and dreading it. I had a wisdom tooth removed before and I was unwell for days, in s much pain - and it was a straight forward removal, no cutting anything. Also, I read a lot about complications from having this done, and its not nice. Anyone there who had a similar experience? I need some advice and support!

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IHeartGeneHunt · 06/05/2023 11:52

I had the exact same thing done- I was sedated for it and slept through the whole thing. Could you be sedated?
They did cut my jaw, and it was sore and swollen for a bit after, but they gave me good painkillers and I had a day off work and it was all fine. Honestly!

Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 12:01

Thanks for replying! I wasn't given an option of being sedated, just general anaesthetic. TBH, would not want to be put under, scares me even more.
I was a bit surprised at the set us where I was sent to - not a hospital, just small office room in some building set up as a dentist office. Like a private dentist, I guess. They definitely don't have an Anaesthetists there!

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Soontobe60 · 06/05/2023 12:30

They will have an anaesthetist! And it would have been sedation, not a GA. To have a GA it would have taken place in a hospital theatre.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 06/05/2023 12:33

Yup, mine had lots of nerves wrapped around it. I was awake in the operating theatre with a consultant doing the op. He said it would take 5 mins,but one hour and a half later it was still not out! Absolutely nightmarish. He said afterwards he should have done a GA. One good thing was that i wont have osteoporosis as he couldnt break the tooth up,either by hammering or drilling it. I dread the thought of the otherside playing up! I feel for you OP.

Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 12:45

I have been referred to this people by my NHS dentist and I have a feeling they are not really into what they are doing, just read a few reviews saying how disinterested this surgeon was and also how badly he done the job - like he wasn't even washing his hands after playing on his phone and going straight o the patient's mouth. I feel like I don't really want to go back to these guys.

They are described as "secondary service providers" and are literally renting a room in another dentist's office, I don't even know the guy's name (he did not introduce himself). As they were going to do an extraction on me the nurse brought the tools - on a kitchen towel!! not even a tray. The more I think about it, the worse it seems.

I wonder how expensing private extraction would be? I really need the bloody thing out, but I cant be going to some back street butcher.

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AlphaAlpha · 06/05/2023 12:46

Had mine done at hospital under GA. It was a relief as I'd had several severe abscesses prior to removal.

Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 12:47

I heard before people being referred to the hospital for NHS extractions, no idea why I was referred to these people?

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StrongTeaDropOfMilkNoSugar · 06/05/2023 12:51

Had mine done in hospital under general anaesthetic too. Was understandably sore for a couple of weeks afterwards, had to had a soft diet (smooth soups, yogurts etc), but healed up fine. Definitely preferable to the pain and complications I was getting before having them taken out.

Gettingbysomehow · 06/05/2023 12:54

Yes two of them. It was a doddle. Lots of anaesthetic. Much pulling but that's it. Couple of neurofen. No problem.

Spicypeanuts · 06/05/2023 12:59

If it's going to be complicated and you are terrified get a referral for it to be removed under GA at a hospital. They'll be going these things all the time and will be best places to get it out.

CookieChumbles · 06/05/2023 13:06

I had two back ones done under GA at hospital. My dentist said he could do it under sedation but he'd prefer not to so I took the referral to hospital - mine sound similar to yours, growing on an angle and close to nerves etc

I found it really painful for about a week afterwards but it did heal up fine.

I'd ask for a referral to hospital to have it done under GA

FionnulaTheCooler · 06/05/2023 13:09

I had one done a few months ago by an NHS dental surgeon at hospital, under sedation. Can't remember anything about the procedure itself and the recovery was absolutely fine, no complications, only a bit of a bruised and swollen jaw for a few days. Mine was impacted and partially erupted too and it wasn't a straightforward extraction but it was nowhere near as painful as I expected.

thecrispfiend · 06/05/2023 13:33

I wish I could get mine done on the nhs my dentist says they don't won't remove now unless causing significant issues

onedone · 06/05/2023 13:36

I had all of mine out (too and bottom) the bottoms ones had impacted - one on each side - so had it done under GA at hospital ....

When they explained they'd take it out in pieces I wanted to be sick ha! But it was fine; I had it done in 2 operations .... left side first then the right side so that I could still eat on the other side.

YellowMonday · 06/05/2023 14:24

I had four removed under general, all badly impacted with two severe abscesses. I have a high pain threshold and thought I just had ulcers from stress lol.

My surgeon was amazing, used laser, and shattered the teeth for the extraction.

No pain in my jaw after, quick recovery. Only painful part was a hand shape bruise on my chest - the surgeon needed some extra pressure to get a tooth piece out that didn't want to move - and being stuck in hospital for a few days of IV antis.

Natsku · 06/05/2023 14:32

I had to have a lower one taken out in pieces, even though it wasn't impacted but just wouldn't come out normally. Just local anaesthetic, they didn't expect it to be a complicated extraction. It was pretty horrible feeling it get broken up and all the tugging and pulling before the dentist gave up and broke it up first but if sedated you won't get that experience at least. Pretty painful afterwards but it got infected so that made it more painful.

Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 14:36

thanks all for your replies! Do you think I can go back to my dentist and ask for a hospital referral? I honestly cant go back to this guy, just the thought of it terrifies me - not only because of the pain and fear but also because he seemed so rough and hostile, and I'm not sure how competent he is.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 14:36

I find it very strange that I was referred to these people.

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Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 14:37

sounds amazing, did you do it privately?

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Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 14:38

last message @YellowMonday

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HarrietStyles · 06/05/2023 14:41

I had exactly the same. My boyfriend dropped me at the hospital door and drove off to find a parking space (busy area of London), said he would come join me in the waiting room asap. 20 minutes later he comes and sits next to me in the waiting room and I said, ok let’s go. He thought I had changed my mind and didn’t want to go ahead anymore. In fact I had been seen straight away, and it was already done! The swelling came up a bit later and I was sore for a few days. But honestly……. It was so straight forward in my case and all the worry had been for nothing. In and out in 15 minutes!

treespouse · 06/05/2023 14:42

I had two removed in the dentist chair, no sedation. It was fine (for me) but I did get dry socket after as I rinsed my mouth too soon and dislodged the blood clot thing. So try not to do that

HadalyEve · 06/05/2023 14:46

I had all four out at once. The top two were erupted but malformed. The bottom two were impacted and below the gum line and growing diagonal into the molar tooth in front of them. The dentist had to cut into my jaw bone to get the bottom ones out. I agree you do not want to leave roots in there at all. Too high a risk of infection and abscess- which could then lead to sepsis.

I think you are more afraid of the dentist than the procedure. All sorts of alarm bells were jangling when you mentioned him not working from his own office, having poor hygiene, bad bedside manner and poor reviews. You have every right to ask your original dentist to refer you to a different practice or to hospital for wisdom tooth removal.

Amadeaa · 06/05/2023 14:46

Mine was also in the bone and needed to be broken to remove it, a small bit of bone was also removed I believe. The Procedure itself was alright for me (without GA, just at the dentist’s) but the week thereafter was terrible, not going to lie. I took all the paracetamol and ibuprofen I could safely take but it was still bad. Not trying to scare you and of course everyone is different, but I wouldn’t plan too much for the week after, and if I ever have to do this again I’d ask to be prescribed stronger painkillers.

Original poster
Bubblyb00b · 06/05/2023 14:46

@HarrietStyles , @treespouse - were they impacted teeth? the ones that grow inside the gum? that sounds amazing.
I had 2 wisdom teeth removed, one about 20 years ago - that was painless and quick, I can barely remember; the other one recently - it was ok though took some pulling, and hurt like hell for 2 days afterwards. I read that after 35 your teeth sort of cement into your bone and are harder to get out; I'm nearly 50! ((

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