Wisdom Teeth

torquetorque Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20035Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">I'm afraid of the dentist!</div> Tomorrow, I'm supposed to go in to get my wisdom teeth (or at least a certain one) yanked. As far as I can tell, it's an impacted molar, it's got a bit of the crown out (but just a bit), and my jaw WILL NOT open all the way anymore; it also hurts, though it's not bad or anything, so I assume this means it's still trying to push its way out.

Then again, my pain tolerance has gotten me in a lot of trouble. Anyway.

What were your experiences getting wisdom teeth taken out?

How the heck are they even going to get to it when my mouth won't really open that wide? I can barely eat a hamburger, so I don't know how they're going to get the dentist's tools in there, much less see what the heck they're doing.

What's this thing about not having them removed if it hurts? Is there something wrong with removing them if they're still trying to grow out or something?

Thanks for any info you guys can provide!
«1

Comments

  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    This is the #1 thing to remember: Pain is temporary, and both doctors AND dentists(DEFINATELY dentists) have gas.

    Bare your boldness.
  • MavericMaveric Join Date: 2002-08-07 Member: 1101Members
    Ask to be put under with sleepy night-night gas. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    You dont have to deal with pain when you're unconsious. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->



    Just make sure you have someone else in the room to watch, there's alot of sicko's out there... o.0
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    edited March 2004
    I feel for you man. I had all four of mine cut out a few years ago.

    I suggest going to an oral surgeon who specializes in it rather than your jack-of-all-fillings dentist, unless you have confidence in him. My dentist is an **** so I was all for the oral surgeon idea.

    I have an incredibly low pain tolerance (ask my friend Stephen, he'll be kidding around and just hit me on the shoulder lightly, but then I'll scream and fall on the ground because I'm in so much pain). I was given the maximum dosage of painkillers prescribable by law and I was out of it for like a week. Couldn't even get out of the living room chair I was in, it sucked.

    I probably shouldn't have even told you that as it probably just scared the crap out of you.

    You mentioned a high pain tolerance so you'll probably be fine. I've had friends and coworkers who like, got their wisdom teeth out and then went to work the same day. Most people I think need at the most one day to to recover.

    Again, keep in mind I'm a pansy so don't let my experience scare you. Just think as you're going along about your business the next day "damn, that DOOM guy sure is a pansy!". Good luck man :)

    [edit]
    <!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->This is the #1 thing to remember: Pain is temporary, and both doctors AND dentists(DEFINATELY dentists) have gas.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Gas!? To hell with that. They had to knock my **** out. The worst part of the whole thing was the IV though. I'm needle-phobic so I was all :X :X :X :X :X but then I was out in like 5 seconds flat and woke up and was like :X :X :X but then realized the IV was out so I was all "k".
    [/edit]
  • NikonNikon Join Date: 2003-09-29 Member: 21313Members, Constellation
    You'll be fine, firstly they will probally use a local numb your gums, and depending on the dentist and the procedure, you may get some happy sleepy drugs or nos, they your jaw will open just fine. Just make sure you have someone around to take care of ya the next day or two.
    Dont stress it, is sucks yes, but it goes away.
  • WheeeeWheeee Join Date: 2003-02-18 Member: 13713Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    don't sweat it...there'll be a dull pain in your gums or jaw for a week or two afterwards, and for the first few days you'll have to have this white gauze stuff in your mouth to soak up the leaking blood, but it's one of those things where you get over it and afterwards you're like..."gee, that wasn't so bad after all."
  • AllUrHiveRblong2usAllUrHiveRblong2us By Your Powers Combined... Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11244Members
    Would getting all four out hurt much more than just one? Cuz all of mine gotta go, and I really don't know how much to expest, I don't know anyone who's gotten all of em out.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-AllUrHiveRBelong2Us+Mar 19 2004, 09:40 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AllUrHiveRBelong2Us @ Mar 19 2004, 09:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Would getting all four out hurt much more than just one? Cuz all of mine gotta go, and I really don't know how much to expest, I don't know anyone who's gotten all of em out. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah, I hear 4 hurts more than 1. I got 4 out at once, and it sucked for 3 days, but now it's all over. So don't worry.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    it's incredibly routine, don't sweat it. when I had mine out, it was hilarious and fun because of the happy gas. as I've said in other threads, I was all "lol this is so cool, I can hear the grinding as they yank teeth from my head, awesome!!" it didn't hurt a bit, I just found it so funny... the laughing gas is aptly named.

    the most annoying part is afterwards -- it didn't really ache so much, but eating was a real chore because you can't get food particles all up in there :-/ but since eating is apparently already a chore for you at this point Athena, you should have no problem <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    allurhive -- I had 2 taken out simultaneously and that wasn't so bad, so don't fret too much...
  • NikonNikon Join Date: 2003-09-29 Member: 21313Members, Constellation
    getting them all out at once is what i suggest. Who wants to have repeat sugery? And besides, if you get them all done at once, thats one recovery, one week of eating trouble and one bill, as opposed to 4x all of that
  • TequilaTequila Join Date: 2003-08-13 Member: 19660Members
    I guess I got lucky, the gum covering my wisdom teeth has all but retracted; I'm only 17 and they're pretty much done and dusted.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    What are your wisdom teeth anyway, I take from the talk here that they are molars in the back of the mouth... but could sombody educate me farther in this area?
  • torquetorque Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20035Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    Well, I was told that if it hurts, then they can't go through with the procedure. Which I found rather confusing, because I really don't see why... ^^;;

    But yeah. I'm not too terribly antsy, I just wanted to know what I was getting into. Last I got xrayed, apparently I only have 3 wisdom teeth? There's the impacted one, one that's sorta up but not really, and one that has yet to say hello. I'm leaving for Arizona on Thursday though, so I'm hoping any weirdness will have worn off by then (assuming they go forward with it tomorrow)

    Maveric: Gee, thanks. ~.~ I REALLY feel a lot better about that kind of thing now <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    I heard they stitch up the gums... when can I get those taken out? :X
  • WheeeeWheeee Join Date: 2003-02-18 Member: 13713Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    the stitches dissolve by themselves after a while.
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    edited March 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Mar 19 2004, 07:26 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Mar 19 2004, 07:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I feel for you man. I had all four of mine cut out a few years ago.

    I suggest going to an oral surgeon who specializes in it rather than your jack-of-all-fillings dentist, unless you have confidence in him. My dentist is an **** so I was all for the oral surgeon idea.
    [edit] <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Same here, all 4 out by a surgeon I now have much respect for.
    I have no idea of my pain tolerance compared to other people's but let's put it this way: it's more annoyance than pain. Though I wasn't legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle to drive myself back home (painkiller + car + highway speeds = bad), I was conscious enough to change the radio stations in the car with my foot from the passenger seat. I say "with my foot" because both hands were trying to handle the gause, cotton, and tissues in and around my mouth. Expect to be drooling all over the place -- it's the same natural reaction people have when they first get a retainer or braces from an orthodontist.

    Once you've got a steady supply of tissues and a conveniently located wastebasket near the couch or sofa, plop yourself down and start ordering people around. I took advantage of my then-stationary status and decided I needed to watch all the classics I hadn't seen yet, such as Blade Runner, the Godfather, and Alien I. Meanwhile I was asking for all the ice cream I could handle.

    Bottom line: if you have a surgeon who's smart about it, getting your wisdom teeth removed will be a <i>good</i> experience, not a bad one <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Xyth+Mar 19 2004, 08:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Xyth @ Mar 19 2004, 08:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> What are your wisdom teeth anyway, I take from the talk here that they are molars in the back of the mouth... but could sombody educate me farther in this area? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yes, your wisdom teeth are molers at the very back of your mouth. They've been termed "wisdom teeth" because unlike your other teeth they typically appear in your late teens when you are "wiser" (cough).

    I had all 4 of mine removed last Fall. At 29, all my wisdom teeth were exposed and none were impacted but I had a cavity in one. After repeated complaints from my oral hygenists (they are quite attractive and very persistant <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo--> ) I made an appointment and had them removed. I chose to sleep through the process because I despise any and all dentist activities. And, because there was no way they were going to get me back for a second round, I decided to have all 4 removed at once.

    It was surprisingly easy for me. I had a morning appointment and I was out of the office in about an hour. They crammed my mouth full of gause pads and the GF dragged me home. I went in on a Thursday and spent most of the day munching on Vicadin and dozing in front of the TV. I layed low over the weekend and was back to work on Monday.

    I suggest keeping an ice pack handy and a fresh supply of moist gause. I bled for the first day or so but after that just kept some gause handy to prevent anything getting caught in the holes. They're big holes btw. Takes about 6 weeks for them to completely close so be sure to rinse any and all food out after eating. They'll probably give you a syringe to fill with water and flush the holes. DO NOT POKE YOURSELF WITH THE TIP. I went in for a checkup a week later and some nimrod blonde jabbed me. Pain. That's all I have to say about that.

    Good luck and be diligent with your cleaning. Don't push your luck. It will be healed and back to normal before you know it <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> .
  • relsanrelsan Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3720Members, Constellation
    the actual surgery isn't a problem, its what happens afterwards. I was so doped up that I didn't remember anything, and when I woke up I was already being escorted out of the room. Also I was laughing hysterically at the staff. One of the girl nurses was named November and for some reason I found that absolutely hilarious. And as my mom was driving me home I was still under the effect of the drugs and started crying because I was so glad she was my mom, but she got all weirded out and said, "Will you stop crying?!" When I got home I fell into bed and passed out.

    But then in the morning.... I woke up and I had... something in my mouth. It was all over my teeth and it was really chewy. Upon going to the bathroom I discovered it was an enormous blood clot that had leaked out of the holes where my wisdom teeth used to be and dried over all my teeth. So I had this odd purple gelatin in my mouth for a couple days. The wounds finally closed up but I had to stuff cotton in my mouth for days to get it to stop and even after that I could only have soup and mushy type foods.

    So getting wisdom teeth taken out is rather painless but its still uncomfortable in some ways.
  • CyndaneCyndane Join Date: 2003-11-15 Member: 22913Members
    After hearing all of this wisdom teeth talk, I am glad I have never had to have those removed, nor my tonsils. :-)
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited March 2004
    I recently got my wisdom teeth out, and I can tell you don't worry. Here was how my surgery went. I walked in, signed in and sat down. 5 minutes later, I am called into the back. The doctor and I talk for a few minutes about the usual stuff; the risks of the surgery, what could go wrong, how unlikely they are to happen, etc. The I lay back on the opertaing table and get an injection of sedative. I ask the doc "Do I need to count backward or something?" I get a simple "no" for an answer. Three seconds later (to me) I wake up and it's over. My front lip is slightly numb and my mouth filled with cotton, but no pain. I could have almost driven myself home, but my parents handled that. Less than a week later I was good to go. No complications, nothing at all. Just follow every bit of advice your surgeon gives you to avoid things like dry sockets, etc.
  • enf0rcerenf0rcer intrigued... Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14584Members
    HA! 1 tooth is nothing. I've had 10 teeth pulled. To be honest actually getting them taken out is nothing. AFTER the numbing has worn off... it's hell. ( don't worry i have a full set of real teeth now)
  • Daza4Daza4 Kerc Kasha Join Date: 2003-04-06 Member: 15233Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-enf0rcer+Mar 20 2004, 02:03 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (enf0rcer @ Mar 20 2004, 02:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> HA! 1 tooth is nothing. I've had 10 teeth pulled. To be honest actually getting them taken out is nothing. AFTER the numbing has worn off... it's hell. ( don't worry i have a full set of real teeth now) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Damn right it is. My wisdom teeth are comeing through fine says my dentist and orthodontist. So I might not have to have them yanked out, Thank god im sick of dentists.
  • TeKniKaLTeKniKaL Join Date: 2003-01-27 Member: 12802Members
    i always prefered the (laughing) gas.
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-TeKniKaL+Mar 19 2004, 10:21 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TeKniKaL @ Mar 19 2004, 10:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> i always prefered the (laughing) gas. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    What is it like to be hit with NO? (That's Nitrous Oxide for you non-chemist types <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    edited March 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-enf0rcer+Mar 19 2004, 11:03 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (enf0rcer @ Mar 19 2004, 11:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> HA!  1 tooth is nothing.  I've had 10 teeth pulled.  To be honest actually getting them taken out is nothing.  AFTER the numbing has worn off... it's hell. ( don't worry i have a full set of real teeth now) <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Why the <i>heck</i> did you need to have 10 teeth pulled?
    Sombody forget to lay back on sweets <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    All this talk about N20 makes me think of that video game, man that game rocked.
  • torquetorque Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20035Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    I just talked to my dad, who's my go-between with the dentist, and apparently I'm not getting knocked out, they're just going to... I don't know. Inject me with LOTS of painkiller? O_o;
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    i might have said this in another thread but..

    i have a history of getting ****ed over when it comes to dentistry.

    they had to knock me out and pull 4 teeth, pull some other teeth, do some other stuff... that's when i was little. and then when i was 13 my teeth were fine, but the dentist was convinced they weren't. so he pulled 4 more of my teeth and gave me braces.

    well finally the good karma kicks in: all four of my wisdom teeth came in perfectly aligned, and i don't need to get em out =D
  • enf0rcerenf0rcer intrigued... Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14584Members
    edited March 2004
    my baby teeth or whatever were really strong and just woundn't come out so they decided to pull them to make room for my teeth that were coming in. I had to get part of my gum removed so that my canines would fit in too. But now i have nice straight teeth <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    e/ oh and no they dont knock you out it's just a numbing wipe thing to numb the skin around where you get a numb injection. After the injection you get some sort of gas and by then you have no idea WTH is going on. At least that's what it was like for me.
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Athena+Mar 19 2004, 11:27 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Athena @ Mar 19 2004, 11:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I just talked to my dad, who's my go-between with the dentist, and apparently I'm not getting knocked out, they're just going to... I don't know. Inject me with LOTS of painkiller? O_o; <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    They'll hit you up with some novacane (sp?) probably. Its pretty good stuff, you wont feel a damned thing and wont be able to speak for about a day. If not, the raw NO2 will do pretty well, not nearly as efective though.

    I was lucky, when I had all of mine out they KO'd me for it. I really liked that anestetic, unlike whatever they gave me when I had my appendix out, because you never notice your loss of consiousness. Its just one minute they're talking to you, the next your being escorted out of the chair and you can't control your own drooling.

    Really though, the surgery is nothing, if you manage to get a dry socket you'll beg to have that surgery a thousand times over without painkillers if only it would make the pain go away.
  • torquetorque Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20035Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    I've read about dry socket, but the only thing I can remember regarding it is that it's supposed to smell pretty nasty. Does it just.. happen, or is it the result of neglecting aftercare?
  • Mr_JeburtOMr_JeburtO Join Date: 2003-08-29 Member: 20340Members
    wow you americans get gas.

    in the UK all you get is an injection in your gum (which hurts like ****) making your gum go num and then they just rip the tooth out. the worst part is that you can fell the tendons (or what ever they are), that hold your tetth in snap, and the gum attached to the teeth slowly tears away. and then because of the injection you cant talk for the rest of the day and when you wake up the next day it feels like someone has come in at night and repeatedly kicked you in the mouth.

    good luck for you any way. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    I think myself lucky that the 4 wisdom teeth that i have came through okay without to much pain if not I would have been taking a very expensive trip to the dentist :/.

    I ain't been to the dentist for 8 years but tbh I got cheesed off with having to pay £25 twice a year for the dentist to just say "hmmm.......hmmmm....hmmmmmmmm, your teeth are all okay see you in 6 months"
Sign In or Register to comment.