Wisdom teeth - to get rid or not?!

[Oganesson118]

Has anyone had wisdom teeth extracted who can tell me about the procedure? Are you pleased to have had it done?

I’m one of those people who are terribly nervous of the dentist anyway (sorry) but I have two partially erupted wisdom teeth that I’ve just put up with for years. However I’ve been having recurrent bouts of pericoronitis so the dentist is making noises about extraction. I think I’d rather be put to sleep because I’ve heard horror stories but wondered if it’s worth it or if I just keep on keeping on!

Had my top two out on separate occasions on the NHS, no different to any other extraction under local. 15 mins, done and dusted. Lowers, my normal dentist wouldn't do, but nor would he refer me to the hospital as apparently I didn't get enough infections. I was getting them, but for some reason often after flying on holiday ( air pressure maybe). So I was going on holiday with bottles of corsodyl, floss, interdental brushes etc and ending up getting metronidazole prescribed overseas. But the NHS wouldn't count those. So I paid privately and had both lowers extracted under local at the same time (cheapest option). Can't say as I recommend it. Would suggest either one at a time or general anaesthetic for both if you can afford it.

I had both my lower ones out under a local, at separate times in hospital. Apparently they were difficult because the root was hooked into my jawbone. However, if I had to go back and do it again I wouldn’t hesitate. I didn’t feel a thing and the staff were lovely.
It’s more the dry socket you need to look out for. I’d rather miss that bit out! 😬

I had all mine out many years ago, under 'twilight anaesthesia' (dont know if they still offer this. It was such a relief. I too was very scared of dentists but theyd caused me so much grief by then I would have sawed my own head off to be free of that pain.

Thanks. I have an emergency appointment tomorrow because either way I need treatment for the current bout of pericoronitis. I’ll see what the advice is regarding what to do more long term. I’ve been really scared about it since my mum took delight in telling me about her own experience seeing the serrated knife dripping with blood and being held down by the nurse whilst the dentist pulled at her tooth with pliers 😱

Hi OP I'm not sure what periconitis is. But I've had 2 teeth extracted under sedation. And I'm very scared of the dentist, to the point where my hands would turn into claws from hyperventilating just with a normal checkup. And it was honestly fine. I put it off for ages and tried to get them to do it under general..in the end I had to do it as i was constantly getting infections.
It was painful afterwards as I got dry socket (watch out for that) and I wouldn't recommend getting more than 2 done at a time but the procedure itself i felt relaxed and non anxious and wasn't really aware of what was happening. It's best if you share your anxiety with the staff. Good luck!

Yes, all 4 have been extracted on separate occasions. Only because each caused problems, they weren't taken out proactively (I was told they don't do that anymore).

Lower two impacted and were taken out under GA in hospital. Upper ones were taken out at the dental surgery under local.

The two taken out in the surgery was all around better in that it only took an hour out of my day and was simpler. I do recall quite a bit of tugging, wasn't painful but I would say uncomfortable. The hospital extractions involved a lot of waiting around being prepped, obviously I wasn't aware of anything other than pain when the anaesthetic wore off, unable to drive home etc.

All took about the same amount to recover, for a while it did feel I had a huge hole where the tooth used to be.

I got one of mine out at local dentist. I had been getting pain in another area. Went in and they took X-rays said it was my wisdom tooth cracked which is weird as pain wasn’t there. She said she wld try and get it out but if it started to break while doing it or she cldnt get it all out I’d need to go to dental hospital. Thankfully she managed it and it was fine. Most recent filling I had was worse and took longer.

I did end up with dry socket which was worse than the initial toothache 🙈 easy fixed though they just repacked it.

My mum actually got all 4 out at local dentist and then drive herself home and later ate some dinner!

They will bother you at some point in the future so maybe address it now? I had two lower out under sedation. No memory of it.

I got my bottom two surgically removed. I won’t lie it’s not the nicest thing but I have had worse in my life. Read up on dry socket and how to avoid it, no swishing, smoking or using straws as that will help you heal faster. I got an infection and it was easily resolved with antibiotics. Honestly it was over a decade ago and I would say go for it as it got rid of the pericorinitis.

I had all 4 out, I was put to sleep. I had to take a week off of work but that was mainly as the anesthetic knocked me out so much. I don't regret it they gave me so many problems and I was glad to be rid of them.

I had a couple of bouts of infected gums, but at some point in my 30s the teeth must have erupted a bit further because they are totally free of the gums now and I've not had a problem since. So it is possible for it to resolve without extractions.

I had mine removed when I was 19 at one of the dental hospitals. I had thectwo on one side removed first then two weeks later I had the other side removed, all under local anaesthetic.

The second lot came out easily and I was fine but the first lot.. well that was a different story as the bottom tooth was so hard to remove.

During the procedure it was fine, although a bit disconcerting to find the consultant struggling so much. It was in the following week that the problems became apparent as I was badly bruised and in absolute agony.

I had to take really strong painkillers but that barely touched it.

I would say that you need to be prepared for a period of recovery afterwards and make sure you get access to painkillers.

I had lower one out recently due to an infection. It was painless and simple. I believe impacted are more tricky.
I didn't realise there's such a 'thing' about wisdom teeth removal until my MIL rang asking if I needed her to come to hold my hand! I just got on with it and I'm a proper baby!!
I was worried about dry socket so really closely followed the advice given. I had a big thing on at work the next day and managed fine.

I’ve had 4 out. Top 2 very straightforward, bottom two harder. One was a relatively simple extraction and recovery was pretty swift. The other one was difficult - took a long time in the chair and took a good 10 days of recovery time. I am very glad I had them all out.

I has my bottom ones done at my usual dentist by a visiting private consultant who having specialised in wisdom tooth removal. He was brilliant. I’d had various referrals to the dental hospital for my complex one which was near a nerve. Over a near 20 year period they were on the fence about risk/benefit and I even there once waiting for surgery and they didn’t do the procedure. The risk/benefit question swung the other way after I had a major infection and lost the ability to open my jaw and it was just horrible. After that I just wanted the bottom ones out as the risk of another major infection just felt too high.

I had all 4 removed under local anaesthetic before an 8 hour shift in a care home. My dentist was a dental surgeon. I was 23 though. But Ii have absolutely no recollection of the recovery being traumatic. I was just glad to be rid of the pain from them that happened on a regular basis.

I was referred to max fax at hospital after recurrent infections due to one and have no regrets. It was just one bottom one (previously had a lower molar removed at dentist so was room for the other one). After X-rays max fax said they’d whip the other two out too that hadn’t started rooting as they looked on a bit of an angle higher up and it was done under a general as o think the surgeon said bottom ones can be close to facial nerves. I was 21 at the time.

Woke up from general to be told they’d whipped them all out in 6 minutes start to finish. Some of the usual teeth extraction recovery but they were stitched unlike at a dentist, a few days was the worst of it but all in all a good experience. Just more discomfort and weird feeling than pain and I slept a lot the next day

Had two partially erupted wisdom teeth removed separately. Local anaesthetic. Didn't feel a thing.

One was done as an emergency extraction in the morning and I went straight back to work. No problems.

I had a wisdom tooth removed while I was pregnant with my youngest. It was causing me a few problems and I was glad to get rid of it. It was over fairly quickly and recovery went smoothly. It was the only wisdom tooth I ever had! I am awful at going to the dentist, but it was honestly ok.

Had two removed when younger, both at dentist, the second one I returned to work afterwards. Both were fine recovery wise and this is some years ago; I'm sure techniques/procedures etc are better now.

I had all four out under general anaesthetic in hospital. I’m not in the UK. I used my private health insurance to help cover the cost. Still cost me about $1500 out of pocket in gap fees. A maxillofacial surgeon did the extractions. The two impacted wisdom teeth on the bottom were tricky. I think the two upper wisdom teeth were easier.

I’m glad I had it done. The impacted teeth were affecting other teeth and causing pain. Before that I was fine with just leaving them alone.

My DH has also had his four wisdom teeth removed under twilight or general anaesthetic.

My recovery was unpleasant but as expected for the first few days. Lots of swelling and pain. Lots of cold packs on my face to reduce swelling and constant paracetamol and ibuprofen for 48-72 hours. It was easier after that.

I was really nervous too, but honestly it wasn’t as bad as I’d built it up to be. The procedure itself was quick, and I didn’t feel pain, just some pressure. Recovery was a bit sore for a few days, but totally manageable with painkillers. Getting them out was worth it because the constant infections stopped, which was a huge relief. If you’re anxious, being put to sleep can make the whole thing feel like it’s over in seconds.

Thanks for all the responses. Oh dear I feel like I’m being a bit of a baby about it all now but it’s good to hear it’s often not as bad as you think. I’m going this afternoon so I’ll see what the dentist recommends we do. Luckily he knows how anxious I get and is very understanding.

I haven't had mine out. I had repeated infections but they were get-rid-of-able with medicated mouthwash. I went to see the dentist and he did an x-ray and basically said I could have them out but it would be awful and he'd need to refer me to the hospital because they were so embedded in the bone. He "strongly recommended" I just put up with it. Which I did, and 3 years later they've erupted enough that I don't have infections any more.

My dad had his out and still reckons the post operative pain was some of the worst he had in his life, but his were super wonky and trying to burrow through his jaw.

I think the key thing is to make very thoroughgoing enquiries about the tooth position/the root and what work would be required to take them out and how bad an op that would be likely to be. Because I think the answer is massively individual and varied from person to person.

I had a similar experience. I had a few years of horrible infections - one was so bad I couldn't open my mouth by more than a few mm before the antibiotics kicked in. The dentist said that I could have extraction, but it would be under GA at the city dental hospital and didn't recommend it unless absolutely necessary.

I probably just didn't get round to it and then I realised at least three of them came through fine, probably around age 40. I did have a small gap in my front teeth until then, which has now closed up, probably due to all my teeth being pushed forward by my wisdom teeth. But a friend's front teeth are now overcrowded at the front due to his wisdom teeth, so something else to consider.

I didn't have any lower wisdom teeth but had the upper two out under local with mild sedation. One had become infected and the other one was lying so awkwardly that it was likely to damage the neighbouring tooth. I'm a dental phobic and a complete wuss, but these were very simple extractions and over in a jiffy, no pain and easy recovery.