Wisdom teeth complications

Five_Star

Five_Star

Five_Star

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I’d like to hear from other members who’ve had to have wisdom teeth surgically removed as I don’t know anyone else personally who’s been in the situation.

I know it’s different for each case and don’t want to get into a medical discussion but I’m still left feeling a little lost by the NHS about the aftercare and side effects even after speaking with the maxillofacial surgeon who will do the op.

The teeth are pretty badly impacted so it’s a general anaesthetic operation, the surgeon described it as a major operation as they will have to remove bone to get the teeth out and there could possibly be complications with the Inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw that controls feeling in the lips and face.

I’m unsure how to judge the complication to the nerve, the surgeon said some risk but he was about as vague as a builder pricing a house extension!
I’ve checked up on him, MD in 2005 from university of Malta, fully qualified in 2007 and qualified as an Oral maxillofacial surgeon in 2013 so he has some experience and did seem a nice chap.

I’m sure the surgeon will try his best not to cripple my face but having never experienced anything like this before I’ve no point of reference as to how to judge my chances and how long the recovery might be.
He suggested that I’d need at least a week off work.
 
They're vague with the risks because the risks aren't really known until they become fact, just possible risks.

It's an operation done daily, you should be fine. It's understandable that you're nervous. You will need a week of work, at least. I've been blessed with good Wisdom teeth, so feel very sorry for you.

Good luck.
 
I had the same - Needed all four out and all were heavily impacted.
Everyone swore blind I would be in screaming agony...

Went in, went under, woke up, went home the same day.
Spent the next week off work, enjoying myself and chilling around the house. Was given painkillers but never used them. Took my antibiotics and that was that.

Never felt a jot of pain, soreness, tenderness or discomfort, not even once.
Nerves are fine, jawbone is fine and in fact, I was back down the boxing club within a fortnight.
 
1 - Speak to your GP

2 - disclaimer, i am not a doctor.

There is a nerve that runs down your face in that area of the lower jaw, if he clips it, you'll be drooling for the rest of your life. That's the risk and they say that to everyone. I too have an impacted wisdom teeth on the lower jaw but they are not moving so i don't need them out but i've had the same talk with the dentist.

It is up to you really, and normally if the teeth are not giving you any problems then I wouldn't have the operation voluntarily.

Are they giving you problems?
 
Thanks

I don't have any direct pain but they are very difficult to clean and my gum quite often becomes inflamed which is why my dentist suggested the referral.

I did phone my GP to ask about the nerve issue and he said pretty much what others have said; The risk is only fully known once you start down that path during the operation.

I'm about 50/50 to have it done, but knowing it will need to be done eventually I'm thinking that now is a good a time as any. I'm working locally right now and may be overseas in the next 6 months for up to 2 years off and on.

I suppose my main frustration is that the chance of success lies with one man making the right call during my operation which has little impact on his own life :(
 
had mine done under general too... one of them was rather close to a nerve - had a CT scan done first - surgeon warned of possible complications if the nerve was damaged etc...

operation all went fine... only pain immediately after was from the back of my throat from where the tube was presumably being yanked about during the op - or perhaps just scratched/bruised my throat when they yanked it out... That went after a couple of days - only minor pain from the gums really wasn't too bad afterwards at all... had plenty of codine... (tis good as you get a decent supply usually and if you don't use it all then its an awesome pain killer to keep in your medicine cupboard)
 
ttaskmaster said:
I had the same - Needed all four out and all were heavily impacted.
Everyone swore blind I would be in screaming agony...

Went in, went under, woke up, went home the same day.
Spent the next week off work, enjoying myself and chilling around the house. Was given painkillers but never used them. Took my antibiotics and that was that.

Never felt a jot of pain, soreness, tenderness or discomfort, not even once.
Nerves are fine, jawbone is fine and in fact, I was back down the boxing club within a fortnight.
Click to expand...

This was the same for me.
Bottom 2 teeth were impacted, top 2 were also removed because they wouldnt have anything to bite against after the bottom ones were gone.

Went in at 10am, home by 4pm.

Was given a load of painkillers, didnt need any of them. Just used the antiseptic mouthwash.

Had it done on a thursday and was back to work on the monday (but i just sit at a desk - so it's nothing too stressful).

Never had any pain from it.
 
i have still got a numb spot under my jaw where i had a wisdom tooth out, about 10 years ago, other wise fine
 
had mine out, 23 years ago.

was quite nervous of the anesthetic more than having them out, so i'd ask for a pre-med? if i was doing it again. no pain after the op but whatever they'd given me wore off after about 3 hours, was'nt really bad tooth ache pain more like teeth ripped out and gums stitched closed pain. heh not that bad really.

lived on milk, soup and paracetomol for about a week and the stitches disolved away after about 10 days or so.

i was warned about the nerve thing too after the x-ray.

oh yeah, just remebered the sore throat arrgghh that was the worst thing heh
 
I had 1 removed about 2 years ago, I remember the op was not to bad, it was the day after once all the meds they had given me wore off that I started to get a nasty pain which gradually eased off after a week.
 
I had all 4 of mine taken out about 10 years ago, as far as I can remember I just had some discomfort for a few days.
 
ttaskmaster said:
I had the same - Needed all four out and all were heavily impacted.
Everyone swore blind I would be in screaming agony...

Went in, went under, woke up, went home the same day.
Spent the next week off work, enjoying myself and chilling around the house. Was given painkillers but never used them. Took my antibiotics and that was that.

Never felt a jot of pain, soreness, tenderness or discomfort, not even once.
Nerves are fine, jawbone is fine and in fact, I was back down the boxing club within a fortnight.
Click to expand...

touch said:
This was the same for me.
Bottom 2 teeth were impacted, top 2 were also removed because they wouldnt have anything to bite against after the bottom ones were gone.

Went in at 10am, home by 4pm.

Was given a load of painkillers, didnt need any of them. Just used the antiseptic mouthwash.

Had it done on a thursday and was back to work on the monday (but i just sit at a desk - so it's nothing too stressful).

Never had any pain from it.
Click to expand...

Conversely, I had all four wisdoms removed too (bottom two impacted, top two to prevent problems later on) and after the operation my entire face looked like I'd be through 10 rounds with a boxer.

I had a massive amount of bruising and swelling and I could only eat pureed / liquid foods for a week.

I was in and out of the hospital on the same day :)
 
Many moons ago I had two done in a dental clinic followed by a week of pain and bleeding. Then one out, bone cut, general anaesthetic and two days in hospital. Painkillers and liquidy food for the first week and antibiotics for two. Back to normal after two weeks.

Wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone. I’m sure that you’ll be fine and good luck. :)
 
I had one taken out yesterday. This was actually the second wisdom tooth to be taken out as it had badly rotted and overgrown. It had been giving me pain for couple of months.

Dentist applied anesthetic injection to the area and then after about 15 minutes he did the removal procedure which took about 10 minutes. Only felt very little pain during the procedure.

However now that the effects of the anesthetic has worn off, I felt more pain but it has gone down now since yesterday.

My first wisdom tooth was removed 9 years ago.
 
Had mine removed via general anaesthetic teeth came out fine but I personally had complications during the surgery.

Was given pain kills, antibiotics and stuff to remove the swelling.

Nerve damaged was mentioned but I was unaffected, some people can loose some feeling so I was told even as far to make shaving interesting lol.

I had two weeks off, but that was down to the complications not the surgery.
 
Had one out. They mentioned the nerve risk to me but everything is fine about a year on. Don't sweat it, I think it's a fairly routine thing. :)
 
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