Wisdom tooth extraction - driller?
Discussion
Right, went for a check up today - I know my teeth are like a bag of spanners, according to the dentist I'm all clear on the cavity front though, which is nice.
Where things started going wrong was the rapid fire Norsk that went on after my x-rays were done - apparently there is a cavity below the gum on one of my wisdom teeth. The tooth started to come through maybe a year ago (might be longer, might be shorter) and then just stopped - looking at the x-ray I now know why - it is growing straight into one of my other teeth - not causing any pain, but even I know that it's probably not a good thing.
Went for another xray (weird rotate round the head while it plays you soothing music affair) and it shows the problem - a (apparently) pretty bad cavity in Mr. half hiding wisdom tooth.
The words "dental" and "surgery" were used in the same sentence and I started bricking it - pretty much convinced myself that it is something that loads of people get done and I have had teeth (allbeit baby ones) pulled before and it wasn't too bad - but something about the idea of a scalpel to the gum really sets me off - how bad are these things? The pain doesn't bother me too much (although the more anesthetic the better) but the idea of it makes my skin crawl - when she said they sometimes cut the tooth in two to get it out I sheepishly said "ok" and nearly fell over.
While I know internet diagnoses are pretty much meaningless, I wouldn't say no to a bit of advice:
How bad is it doc? I take that it not hurting doesn't mean much at the moment - it can only get worse as time goes on, right?
Where things started going wrong was the rapid fire Norsk that went on after my x-rays were done - apparently there is a cavity below the gum on one of my wisdom teeth. The tooth started to come through maybe a year ago (might be longer, might be shorter) and then just stopped - looking at the x-ray I now know why - it is growing straight into one of my other teeth - not causing any pain, but even I know that it's probably not a good thing.
Went for another xray (weird rotate round the head while it plays you soothing music affair) and it shows the problem - a (apparently) pretty bad cavity in Mr. half hiding wisdom tooth.
The words "dental" and "surgery" were used in the same sentence and I started bricking it - pretty much convinced myself that it is something that loads of people get done and I have had teeth (allbeit baby ones) pulled before and it wasn't too bad - but something about the idea of a scalpel to the gum really sets me off - how bad are these things? The pain doesn't bother me too much (although the more anesthetic the better) but the idea of it makes my skin crawl - when she said they sometimes cut the tooth in two to get it out I sheepishly said "ok" and nearly fell over.
While I know internet diagnoses are pretty much meaningless, I wouldn't say no to a bit of advice:
How bad is it doc? I take that it not hurting doesn't mean much at the moment - it can only get worse as time goes on, right?
Good job on posting the panoramic (sorry, "dental panoramic tomogram" for the sticklers). Difficult to see much on it TBH but one can imagine that the lower right wisdom ie lower left on radiograph is decayed.
If it is this tooth in question, from what I can see it doesn't look like the decay goes to close to the nerve although sometimes radiographs can be misleading. If that was the case you could try a simple filling which would finish up pretty much like you've got on the other side (the white bit in the other wisdom). Put this to your dentist and see what she says. It might be though that in the mouth the tooth is too broken down to hold a filling in which case it should come out.
Dividing teeth is a daily occurance in dental surgery so don't worry about that. You'd just feel a bit of vibration that's all. Sometimes they will make a small incision in the gum and peel it back a bit (sorry
but it's really no big deal) to access the bone around the top of the tooth. They may then cut a small gutter in the bone around the tooth here to get a purchase to *gently* lever it out.
Again, all you'll feel is a bit of vibration, that's all.
Afterwards you may have a bit of a stiff jaw for a few days and things may be a bit sensitive but looking at the radiograph it really shouldn't be a problem.
You should take some anti-inflammatory drugs afterwards which should keep you comfortable.
Please note, they will not "dislocate" your jaw, neither will they go at you with a hammer and chisel inspite of what some folk may say
ETA You mentioned "decay below the gumline". Is it possible you misunderstood and that this decay is in the tooth in front of the wisdom? If this was the case it would be a good idea to remove the wisdom so that the decay can be fixed in teh other tooth without destroying it too much.
If it is this tooth in question, from what I can see it doesn't look like the decay goes to close to the nerve although sometimes radiographs can be misleading. If that was the case you could try a simple filling which would finish up pretty much like you've got on the other side (the white bit in the other wisdom). Put this to your dentist and see what she says. It might be though that in the mouth the tooth is too broken down to hold a filling in which case it should come out.
Dividing teeth is a daily occurance in dental surgery so don't worry about that. You'd just feel a bit of vibration that's all. Sometimes they will make a small incision in the gum and peel it back a bit (sorry
but it's really no big deal) to access the bone around the top of the tooth. They may then cut a small gutter in the bone around the tooth here to get a purchase to *gently* lever it out.Again, all you'll feel is a bit of vibration, that's all.
Afterwards you may have a bit of a stiff jaw for a few days and things may be a bit sensitive but looking at the radiograph it really shouldn't be a problem.
You should take some anti-inflammatory drugs afterwards which should keep you comfortable.
Please note, they will not "dislocate" your jaw, neither will they go at you with a hammer and chisel inspite of what some folk may say
ETA You mentioned "decay below the gumline". Is it possible you misunderstood and that this decay is in the tooth in front of the wisdom? If this was the case it would be a good idea to remove the wisdom so that the decay can be fixed in teh other tooth without destroying it too much.
Edited by Driller on Tuesday 11th January 12:39
I had this exact thing done about 18 years ago. Didn't hurt at all during the procedure and had a pretty sore jaw for a couple of days after.
Incidentally, had the bloody thing out about a month ago after it cracked right down the middle. Didn't feel a thing...biggest pain was sweetcorn/peas sticking in the cavity!
Incidentally, had the bloody thing out about a month ago after it cracked right down the middle. Didn't feel a thing...biggest pain was sweetcorn/peas sticking in the cavity!
It's probably a fear of the unknown rather than anything else - don't have a fear of the dentist at all, but weird things (scalpels and needles) aren't exactly at the top of my list - responses so far (weirdly even the "hurts like hell" one 
) are pretty helpful - if I knew I was going in for an hour and that it would hurt, I could come to terms with it - the nightmare scenario is the word "complications" coming up halfway through - given the choice I would have it done under general and just let them do what they like and wake up with it fixed, but that seems a lot of hassle to go through just to get a tooth out - plus, I can't imagine that me being a bit apprehensive is a good reason to risk a general anesthetic.
The insurance is going to cover it, so I don't see why I shouldn't have it done - all it does it get stuff stuck in it and is a pain to get a toothbrush to (probably has something to do with the cavity...) - I'm in Norway and it's fully private over here - shelled out the equivalent of 120 quid today and they quote about 350 for the surgery - seems steep, but I'm not paying it, and I would rather pay more to go to a decent dentist rather than a backstreet hack.
Will get it booked and let you know the results
Edit to add - yep, its the fella in the back right of my mouth (bottom left on the xray). Comparing it to the other side, the one on the bottom left of my mouth looks worse, but obviously it has been drilled and filled, so I have no idea how deep it was before - that one is also fully in my mouth, rather than the current problem, which I can feel is about level with my gum line. RE the decay - I'm pretty sure she meant it was in the wisdom tooth itself, rather than the rear molar and the wisdom just getting in the way.
) are pretty helpful - if I knew I was going in for an hour and that it would hurt, I could come to terms with it - the nightmare scenario is the word "complications" coming up halfway through - given the choice I would have it done under general and just let them do what they like and wake up with it fixed, but that seems a lot of hassle to go through just to get a tooth out - plus, I can't imagine that me being a bit apprehensive is a good reason to risk a general anesthetic.The insurance is going to cover it, so I don't see why I shouldn't have it done - all it does it get stuff stuck in it and is a pain to get a toothbrush to (probably has something to do with the cavity...) - I'm in Norway and it's fully private over here - shelled out the equivalent of 120 quid today and they quote about 350 for the surgery - seems steep, but I'm not paying it, and I would rather pay more to go to a decent dentist rather than a backstreet hack.
Will get it booked and let you know the results
Edit to add - yep, its the fella in the back right of my mouth (bottom left on the xray). Comparing it to the other side, the one on the bottom left of my mouth looks worse, but obviously it has been drilled and filled, so I have no idea how deep it was before - that one is also fully in my mouth, rather than the current problem, which I can feel is about level with my gum line. RE the decay - I'm pretty sure she meant it was in the wisdom tooth itself, rather than the rear molar and the wisdom just getting in the way.
Edited by Parsnip on Tuesday 11th January 13:11
Because of this:
I would say the wisdom is coming out because of that very deep decay in the tooth in front. That tooth will need at best a very deep filling, at worst a root canal.
This is assuming that the xray is not telling lies, there is a lot of burnout present. If you could post up the other (smaller?) xray that would be a great help.
I would say the wisdom is coming out because of that very deep decay in the tooth in front. That tooth will need at best a very deep filling, at worst a root canal.
This is assuming that the xray is not telling lies, there is a lot of burnout present. If you could post up the other (smaller?) xray that would be a great help.
Edited by -Z- on Tuesday 18th January 00:06
I don't know what all the fuss was about.
Went in this morning, still half asleep from being stuck work till late last night.
Got called in and the huge apron they put on my started making me nervous - how much blood are we anticipating here?
(hottie) dentist came in and gave me the anesthetic - told me that it shouldn't be too bad to get out and something about the nerve canal being far enough away. Few minutes and it felt numb so she got cracking. From this point on I had my eyes shut and my brain was off in my happy place - so have no idea what tools were going in, and I didn't really want to guess.
Almost immediately I tasted blood, so I knew something was going on - felt absolutely nothing though. Fair bit of prodding around before she said she was going in with a saw - again no pain, but the noise was horrific. Next I knew was a massive cracking noise (which I guess was the tooth coming out) and a bit more prodding around before she said "that's it all out" - few stitches later and we were all done - the tooth came out in 3 parts - one massive and two tiny little bits that had snapped off the bottom
Been prescribed some ibuprofen, along with some form of morphine derivative if the ibuprofen doesn't do the trick - on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
At work at the moment, and aside from it feeling odd, there is no pain to speak of - was a bit funny at lunch, but other than that, fine - back on Tuesday to get the stitches out, so I guess I will get an update then.
All in all, a pretty easy 30 minutes in the chair - definatley no worse than getting a filling.
Went in this morning, still half asleep from being stuck work till late last night.
Got called in and the huge apron they put on my started making me nervous - how much blood are we anticipating here?
(hottie) dentist came in and gave me the anesthetic - told me that it shouldn't be too bad to get out and something about the nerve canal being far enough away. Few minutes and it felt numb so she got cracking. From this point on I had my eyes shut and my brain was off in my happy place - so have no idea what tools were going in, and I didn't really want to guess.
Almost immediately I tasted blood, so I knew something was going on - felt absolutely nothing though. Fair bit of prodding around before she said she was going in with a saw - again no pain, but the noise was horrific. Next I knew was a massive cracking noise (which I guess was the tooth coming out) and a bit more prodding around before she said "that's it all out" - few stitches later and we were all done - the tooth came out in 3 parts - one massive and two tiny little bits that had snapped off the bottom
Been prescribed some ibuprofen, along with some form of morphine derivative if the ibuprofen doesn't do the trick - on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
At work at the moment, and aside from it feeling odd, there is no pain to speak of - was a bit funny at lunch, but other than that, fine - back on Tuesday to get the stitches out, so I guess I will get an update then.
All in all, a pretty easy 30 minutes in the chair - definatley no worse than getting a filling.
Parsnip said:
I don't know what all the fuss was about.
Went in this morning, still half asleep from being stuck work till late last night.
Got called in and the huge apron they put on my started making me nervous - how much blood are we anticipating here?
(hottie) dentist came in and gave me the anesthetic - told me that it shouldn't be too bad to get out and something about the nerve canal being far enough away. Few minutes and it felt numb so she got cracking. From this point on I had my eyes shut and my brain was off in my happy place - so have no idea what tools were going in, and I didn't really want to guess.
Almost immediately I tasted blood, so I knew something was going on - felt absolutely nothing though. Fair bit of prodding around before she said she was going in with a saw - again no pain, but the noise was horrific. Next I knew was a massive cracking noise (which I guess was the tooth coming out) and a bit more prodding around before she said "that's it all out" - few stitches later and we were all done - the tooth came out in 3 parts - one massive and two tiny little bits that had snapped off the bottom
Been prescribed some ibuprofen, along with some form of morphine derivative if the ibuprofen doesn't do the trick - on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
At work at the moment, and aside from it feeling odd, there is no pain to speak of - was a bit funny at lunch, but other than that, fine - back on Tuesday to get the stitches out, so I guess I will get an update then.
All in all, a pretty easy 30 minutes in the chair - definatley no worse than getting a filling.
Good news! Did she confirm what state the tooth was in in the end and where the decay was?Went in this morning, still half asleep from being stuck work till late last night.
Got called in and the huge apron they put on my started making me nervous - how much blood are we anticipating here?
(hottie) dentist came in and gave me the anesthetic - told me that it shouldn't be too bad to get out and something about the nerve canal being far enough away. Few minutes and it felt numb so she got cracking. From this point on I had my eyes shut and my brain was off in my happy place - so have no idea what tools were going in, and I didn't really want to guess.
Almost immediately I tasted blood, so I knew something was going on - felt absolutely nothing though. Fair bit of prodding around before she said she was going in with a saw - again no pain, but the noise was horrific. Next I knew was a massive cracking noise (which I guess was the tooth coming out) and a bit more prodding around before she said "that's it all out" - few stitches later and we were all done - the tooth came out in 3 parts - one massive and two tiny little bits that had snapped off the bottom
Been prescribed some ibuprofen, along with some form of morphine derivative if the ibuprofen doesn't do the trick - on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
At work at the moment, and aside from it feeling odd, there is no pain to speak of - was a bit funny at lunch, but other than that, fine - back on Tuesday to get the stitches out, so I guess I will get an update then.
All in all, a pretty easy 30 minutes in the chair - definatley no worse than getting a filling.
Couple of questions, as I work in France and am interested in how things are done now in the UK:
Sounds like you had some bone removed around the tooth (although it wouldn't have been a saw) did you get prescribed antibiotics and a mouthwash?
Was it private or NHS?
How much did it cost?
Thanks
Parsnip said:
I don't know what all the fuss was about..
..on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
God, NO!! Don't do that, not unless you want your face to literally implode! Your best bet would be to have them disposed of properly. I'll PM you my address, just stick them in the post to me and I'll sort it out for you...on 1 ibuprofen at the moment - may have some of the morphine happy pills tonight just for laughs.
Oh, and glad it all went ok, I found the 'idea' of my tooth extraction much, much worse than the actual event.
Driller said:
Good news! Did she confirm what state the tooth was in in the end and where the decay was?
Couple of questions, as I work in France and am interested in how things are done now in the UK:
Sounds like you had some bone removed around the tooth (although it wouldn't have been a saw) did you get prescribed antibiotics and a mouthwash?
Was it private or NHS?
How much did it cost?
Thanks
She did confirm it was decayed, don't know to what extent though - she did say it was bad enough that it would have caused problems later, and from the position it was in my mouth (i.e most of it below the gum) I'm not sure I would have liked them trying to fill it - it has been getting food stuck in it for ages, so happy I have got rid of it tbh - I can't be more specific than that.Couple of questions, as I work in France and am interested in how things are done now in the UK:
Sounds like you had some bone removed around the tooth (although it wouldn't have been a saw) did you get prescribed antibiotics and a mouthwash?
Was it private or NHS?
How much did it cost?
Thanks
She did say "saw" but English was her 2nd language (Norsk being her first) so it could have been lost in translation - sounded a lot like a dremel to me
Other than the pain stuff I got given some antiseptic mouthwash stuff - Hextril - tastes and looks a lot like Oraldene
It was private - all dentistry in Norway is - so the place was pretty swanky.
Ended up running me (i.e my insurance) 1600NOK today and 700ish for the initial checkup and x-rays - so best part of 250 quid.
Parsnip said:
Driller said:
Good news! Did she confirm what state the tooth was in in the end and where the decay was?
Couple of questions, as I work in France and am interested in how things are done now in the UK:
Sounds like you had some bone removed around the tooth (although it wouldn't have been a saw) did you get prescribed antibiotics and a mouthwash?
Was it private or NHS?
How much did it cost?
Thanks
She did confirm it was decayed, don't know to what extent though - she did say it was bad enough that it would have caused problems later, and from the position it was in my mouth (i.e most of it below the gum) I'm not sure I would have liked them trying to fill it - it has been getting food stuck in it for ages, so happy I have got rid of it tbh - I can't be more specific than that.Couple of questions, as I work in France and am interested in how things are done now in the UK:
Sounds like you had some bone removed around the tooth (although it wouldn't have been a saw) did you get prescribed antibiotics and a mouthwash?
Was it private or NHS?
How much did it cost?
Thanks
She did say "saw" but English was her 2nd language (Norsk being her first) so it could have been lost in translation - sounded a lot like a dremel to me
Other than the pain stuff I got given some antiseptic mouthwash stuff - Hextril - tastes and looks a lot like Oraldene
It was private - all dentistry in Norway is - so the place was pretty swanky.
Ended up running me (i.e my insurance) 1600NOK today and 700ish for the initial checkup and x-rays - so best part of 250 quid.
BTW A Dremmel is about right
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