Dentist wants to remove all my wisdom teeth, I don't think it's necessary. Is he just after my money?

[amazonianwoman]

A bit of background. Last year I had to switch to a different dentist within our practice - the previous dentist was fab, did what had to be done etc. It isn't NHS - we pay via some monthly private scheme.

I've been to this new dentist three times now. The 1st two times he kept saying that he wanted to redo a huge filling I have (fills about a quarter of one of the back teeth, has had root canal work done following abcess). I refused, because it's fine and causes no problems.

He mentioned it again when I was there 2 weeks ago. Refused again.

I have 3 wisdom teeth - 2 top ones are fine, although I do get food trapped between one and the next tooth. The bottom one grows at an angle and has affected my bite, so I don't have a problem with that one being removed.

But he wants to remove the top harmeless 2 first - separate appointments, at least £80 each plus whatever additional/follow costs there may be.

Then he'll remove the wonky one. All just under local anaesthetic.

Is it normal to have wisdoms out just under LA? Is there any point removing them if they don't present any problems?

I really feel like he just wants to make money - he's young, newish, a bit too commercial for my liking.

Any thoughts? (sorry for waffle)

I've had a similar experience when changing dentists - I think that it just depends on the person, some have a very hands-on attitude towards doing work and others prefer not to do anything unless absolutely necessary. In my case my original dentist, who only ever did a quick check and the odd filling, misdiagnosed an abscess and I ended up changing to a new dentist, who was stunned that I had never had my teeth professionally cleaned in the past, and ended up doing a root canal and replacing several fillings.

It does sound a bit odd that your dentist is so keen to remove your other wisdom teeth - could you just ask him exactly why he wants to do it? Perhaps he is into preventative treatment and is worried that the trapped food etc could cause problems in the long run. Wisdom teeth are difficult to clean because of where they are so perhaps he wants to avoid you having further fillings etc in the future? Although it does seem a bit OTT!

Sorry, not really offering you any succinct advice there but I would just ask him straight out exactly why he wants to remove them and see what he says. I don't see why he shouldn't do the problem one first and you can have a think about the others.

Have them all pulled....I've had nothing but trouble with mine the pesky blighters!!

Hmm might defer the appointment and get a second opinion first. They've been there for years (I'm 42) and aren't causing problems.

I'd recommend the wait and see approach. When I was 18 my then dentist was insistent that I needed mine removed. I refused. Am significantly older now (!) and no problems with them yet... might just be something that's hard to assess, tho, rather than (necessarily) this fellow being moneygrabbing.

Ask for a referral to the dental bit of the hospital.

I had this when I was younger. I was living on my own with no family or friends anywhere near me. My wisdom tooth got infected and when I went to the dentist he told me I would need all four taken out under a general anaesthetic. I felt bullied into accepting an appointment and cried all the way home.

I spoke to my Mum, calmed down and then went back to the dentist the next day. I demanded a referral as I wasn't prepared to pay for something that was available for free.

When I went to the appointment at the hospital, I was told there was nothing wrong with my wisdom teeth.

Don't just accept what the dentist says, ask for a second opinion.

If I had my time over again, I would not have had two wisdom teeth removed which were not causing me any problem, I would just have had the single problem one removed. The dentist thought the others "might" cause problems "at some stage" so I had all 3 out in hospital with GA. They hit a nerve while doing one of them, and I have permanent "altered sensation" over that entire side of my lower jaw. I could have ended up with it completely numb, or with my tongue partially paralysed - both of which complications were only mentioned on the day of the op, when I felt pushed into just signing the form saying they'd told me, instead of thinking it through properly.

Ask the dentist exactly why they need to come out, and consider carefully whether you think he has a valid point, before agreeing ot it. If they need to come out, then the possible risk of complications has to be accepted, but if not, then you are taking a risk for nothing.

my dentist said to me that if a wisdom tooth is straight and not causing other probs, then the current advice is not to remove them.

I would contatc the BDA

A couple of dentists have had urges to remove my wonky wisdom teeth. Others have said that theres no point if they weren't causing any problems.

So I've decided to wait until they cause me any trouble and current dentist concurs with that view

Thanks all. Have cancelled the appointment and am seeing a dentist friend/acquaintance on Sunday to ask her opinion.

i was tols i had 'impacted' wisdom teeth at 18 after an x ray. i had never had any problems with them or pain. i had to have them out under local anaesthetic, it was horrendous. And very painful swollen face for months. To this day i don't know if it was necessary.