Anyone had “complicated extractions” of wisdom teeth?

[ineedhelp37]

I’m highly anxious about this procedure so wanted some insight please.

Context is Im 37, have very impacted and only partially erupted wisdom teeth which cause very very frequent pericoronitis infections.

My own dentist can’t remove them so I’ve had scans/ X-rays etc and been seen privately by a lovely maxfax surgeon. In short he said they need to come out under GA.

I know he has to talk about risks and that all procedures carry risks but I can’t unhear the list he gave me and I’m now terrified beyond belief to book in (even though I’m currently on my second infection within four weeks).

Biggest concern:
Nerve damage - he said “common” to have post op numbness but “some” people have more permanent loss of sensation in tongue and lips. I can’t even tolerate the sensation after a dental local so I know that’ll really panic me.

other concerns:
Dry socket - I have an exceptionally low pain threshold and I’ll be terrified to eat or anything post op incase this happens.

Bleeding - I asked and he said was a non issue but still a worry of mine.

Bruising / swelling - He said “you’ll be sore for a few days” and I know in doctor speak that means “it’ll be fracking horrendous”.

As you can see, anxiety is raging so if anyone has had the same procedure, please tell me how it went honestly but gently.

All 4 under GA years ago. Was warned about nerve damage and I think there was some numbness but it went. Totally the right thing to do, much better oral health since, was making me permanently ill.

Face was very sore and didn't eat well for a few days.

Still a good decision for me.

I have had two of mine that were deeply impacted partially erupted and did end up getting dry socket both times (que trip to emerg dentist at 1am who put in this little piece of clove cloth which literally saved my life lol) the pain was horrendous. BUT after 2 or so weeks was not in pain and never looked back- definitley the best thing i did but my god was recovery painful. Dose up on painkillers and take a good ammount off work

All four out as a teen, they were lasered into pieces and sucked out I believe. Or something like that. Over 20 years ago. Face like a basketball afterwards for a good couple of weeks but well worth it. I was in a lot of pain with TMJ and they thought wisdom teeth were affecting it. Who knows if that was correct as I still have TMJ!

Had all four of mine out under general with same list of risks as yours and my lower ones being apparently “very close to the nerves” on X-ray. Had no problems, no dry socket, hosted a social event the same evening. Pain totally manageable. Did get a post-op infection and had to take super strong antibiotics that made me a little queasy for a few days, but no lingering effects.

Eldest DS had to via MaxFax for the same reasons. His dentist is excellent but admitted that this needed NHS maxfax. Had a GA, anaesthetise sorted out a longer lasting nerve block and good pain meds, had stitches and was rather sore after. He described the pain after as being nothing like the pain before. Home within 24 hours. He stuck to a liquid diet, recommended anti biotics and special mouthwash for a week to give everything chance to heal well. No nerve damage but had the same risk talk you have had. Healed well and stopped looking like a very unhappy hamster and better still it’s stopped all his jaw problems from wisdom teeth problems too.

Yes I did. I had a partially erupted wisdom tooth that was sideways in my gum. It had rotted the molar next to it which also needed to come out but due to the positioning of the wisdom tooth the dentist (private surgical dentist not my usual surgery) had to cut into my gum, break it up and extract it bit by bit. It sounds horrendous but once I’d had the injection I couldn’t feel a thing and was awake throughout. They stitched it which massively reduced the chances of dry socket but even so I only ate liquids for a few days and very soft food after that for a week. Yes it was swollen and sore but I was up and about the next day. You’ll be fine, just follow the aftercare instructions, keep it clean and don’t loosen the blood clot. That’s how dry socket happens.

Had lower two out under GA. It was fine really. Hurt a fair bit afterwards, alternating cocodamol, paracetamol and ibuprofen was necessary (I think, it was a while ago), needed a week off work and another week to feel 100% again. I did get some kind of infection and needed antibiotics but it cleared up.

I've had 3 out under GA and all the same warnings as you.
It was honestly fine. One blood clot fell out on day 2 and I was petrified about getting dry socket, but I didn't.

The soft diet was tedious and I really didn't get back to approaching a normal diet for a good month.

I put it off for years, but am glad I had it done, as I think I would just be storing up huge issues for the future.

@ineedhelp37 perhaps ask if you can get hold of Diazepam to calm you down (not sure of GA interactions )

mine were complicated (it’s the lower jaw that are always the dodgy ones ) but it was fine at the end . He put me on antibiotics and he said he always does that so something to consider

my sister did lose her sense of nerves for a good few months though on a complex procedure, wasn’t fun she couldn’t eat and sometimes couldn't even talk properly, they gave her very strong B6 and eventually came back

good luck