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

[Bubblyb00b]

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!

Yes mine were horizontally impacted and under the gum. Honestly the whole procedure took 15 minutes from start to finish. I’d worried myself silly about how awful it was going to be……. And it was over so quickly. And it was only sore for a few days.

Yes my bottom tooth was growing out sideways so they took it out. But at the same time took the corresponding top one out as that was best practise at the time. It was okay but if you're worried can you speak to them about a referral elsewhere?

I think I will speak to my dentist again. This guy wasn't what I expected at all! The whole appointment had a seriously medieval vibe about it. ))

I had all mine out under GA when I was 18…couple of weeks of pain afterwards was worth it for the relief ever since.
I get that it’s a bit scary, but the dentist sounds professional, compassion isn’t on the job description these days

I hate to say it, but the process of getting impacted teeth out is medieval-Mine had curved roots as well as being impacted, and I had bruises down to my chest due to the struggle they had to get them out. Didn’t feel any of it though

@Whatthediddlyfeck ok, so he did not introduce himself, did not explain what he is doing and straight away was going to inject me with the anaesthetic, before even looking at my teeth - when I asked do you need to look at my teeth he said no, I will take an xray while its getting numb for extraction! and then dismissed my dentist's suggestions before he even seen my xrays. on top of that - not washed hands, surgical instrument on a kitchen towel handled by bare handed nurse, harsh and grumpy expression. I didn't need him to do a little song and dance for me but this was so bad that my childhood's nightmarish Easter European dentists seemed lovely, clean and compassionate in comparison.

I had an impacted wisdom tooth, lower jaw the same as you. I am an absolute wimp when it comes to the dentist, but it was beginning to hurt every now and then as it was growing/moving and I'd spend days on pain killers.

I spoke to the dentist and he said it could be removed and I'd need to go to the local dental hospital, that scared me too. We had a chat and dentist did some x ragas and said if I felt better he could remove it and would sedate me.

I was terrified but couldn't take any more pain. I was so nervous on the day, but honestly if I had known how quickly it would be over with i wouldn't have worried. I was sedated and waking up in what felt like just seconds and had to ask the dentist if it had been done? He said yes and showed me the tooth.

I didn't have any complications after and it healed up fine. I'm glad I got it done as I could only see the pain getting worse

I had mine out privately under GA in hospital. He said he could do it without a GA but would prefer to do with in case the tooth shattered & it took a while to get it out. It was absolutely fine at the time. Got a dry socket afterwards which was awful & rang the hospital ward as instructed & a horrid nurse told me it was normal pain & to get on with it. Consultant was mortified at the follow up appt so if the pain afterwards is horrendous it's probably that & you need antibiotics.

I'd go back to the dentist & ask to be referred somewhere else op x

Thanks everyone! will speak to my dentist again, see what she says )

Had my 2 bottom wisdom teeth out due to this. I had them done at the local hospital, but only with a LA.

It was a long time ago now (I was only about 19 at the time. The teeth hadn’t come through but had been picked up as sideways on anX-ray) My cheeks swelled up like a hamster afterwards, but pretty sure in true 19 year old fashion I was on a night out that weekend and back at work within a few days. I had to gargle with some kind of salt mouthwash and remember spitting out the stitches one day.

I kind of wish they’d taken out the top ones too. My dentist keeps mentioning that I’ll probably need it done at some point and I’m not thrilled about it.

Had very similar op done about 10 years ago. (Have actually had all my wisdom teeth out now.)

My advice, research dentists who specialise in wisdom teeth surgery. Not all dentists are the same and some are much better than others at wisdom tooth extraction. My dentist told me it's all about technique. A wisdom tooth specialist will be able to get them out without stressing the gums and causing lots of bruising. Secondly definitely go for sedation. You'll need to be supervised afterwards - so have a friend or family member to take care of you for a few hours.

Honestly, with sedation and a wisdom tooth specialist, it's really not that bad. Injection in the hand makes you nice and sleepy. You have no idea what's going on and by the time you wake up it's all done. My op took less than 30 mins and that was to remove two wisdom teeth. (Take arnica for a week or so before hand and a week afterwards to help with swelling/bruising.)

@Giselletheunicorn thank you for advice! was it private or NHS? I'm a bit unsure what to expect on the NHS; maybe I'm supposed to be grateful for whatever is on offer? I feel a bit bad for being so dramatic, but I actually thought I will see a specialist at the hospital, that's probably why I'm so freaked out(

I know it’s scary but don’t leave it too long. Mine went bad and caused all sorts of issues. Second impacted one was much better . extraction was under sedation, drilled the jaw , shattered my tooth to take it out . Sewed it up . Back at work the day after. No bruising , little swelling. Sounds like you need another surgery though - not all dentists can do this work.

I had 2 wisdom teeth on one side upper and lower removed. My lower one was the same there was some risk with the nerves so my nhs dentist referred me to maxillofacial surgery in hospital. Had the option of sedation, or GA. Can you ask if your local hospital has something like this you can be referred to rather than this dentist? He doesn't sound like a good fit for you at all

Had mine out at hospital under general anaesthetic yesterday. I feel for you. I am terrified of dentists and I felt fine yesterday. They couldn't have been lovelier
The anaesthetist explained they would inject local anaesthetic and painkillers direct into the gum when I was under, the consultant talked me through what he hoped to do and what he may have to do so I could consent to both. This was an NHS dentist referral and I didn't have any charge for rhe actual oral surgery. I am coping today on just paracetamol.

Oops posted too soon. So yes do go back and ask to be referred elsewhere.

Yes - me. Lower 2 out in hospital, he took the top two out as well. I had 'twilight sedation' - I wasn't aware of anything happening. It was fine. I had two weeks off work as the lower ones were in the bone. I didn't do much apart from take painkillers and eat very soft food. I'm a bit of a wimp around dentists but would have it done again with little worry.

Haven't RTFT. Had all 4 of mine done at the same time. All impacted, all growing sideways.

Had it done privately in the Middle East (where I lived at the time) so in addition to X ray they did a CT scan first to check nerves. I had been referred to maxio facial in NHS at home beforehand and they would have just done it without CT.

General anaesthetic. Sore but not intolerable. I was in my early twenties and not stoic. I found the effects of tramadol far worse than the pain so after day 2 just took paracetamol.

The worse thing for me was the excess thread from the stitches which I was scared of getting stuck in food (I love food so giving up solids for more than a day or so didn't work out). Wasn't painful just gave me the ick.

Dentist sounds like a twat so I'd definitely ask if possible to have an alternative referral but who knows these days on NHS. A private extraction wouldn't be tremendously expensive but chuck in a GA and hospital and the cost will go up a lot.

Good luck! It won't be the best week or so of your life but it will be better when it's done and you can stop worrying.

And yes, I had the bone cutting thing too.

Actually yes, I put it off for years but eventually had it done because I kept getting infections. They had to pull the tooth next to it as well. The procedure was much quicker and less traumatic than I'd thought it'd be (max 20 mins) and didn't hurt at all. I did get dry socket after which was painful but doctor gave me some morphine and the dentist packed it and so little pain after that. It did take quite a while to heal though and I couldn't eat properly for weeks, lost loads of weight though. I mainly lived on meal replacement drinks for a while. Good luck xx

I had impacted bottom wisdom teeth. Had them extracted under local anaesthetic. The second one was causing problems for the surgeon and she had to saw it in half to remove it lol. But I didn’t feel anything and I was much happier with them removed. Takes a few weeks for the gum to fully heal but you get there. Lots of painkillers.

I had it done in a hospital on the NHS. Not sure why, that's just where my dentist referred me.

I had four out when I was 19 and I believe at least one was sideways. I was put to sleep

I had 4 removed at once, 2 lower ones were impacted. I had it done under GA and it was fine.

Definitely ask to have it down under GA. I have a really high pain threshold (no pain relief during labour x 3, walked to hospital on a broken ankle, etc) but honesty it was fucking horrendous. Grim and gory.

Thanks everyone! I would like to get sedated, not GA - that scares me... I guess you would need an anaesthetist for this, too? Also would like to have it done at the hospital ... no idea why my dentist though this hack was appropriate. I will try my luck asking for another referral...