Have you had your wisdom teeth out? What was the experience like?
By Withoutwings
@Withoutwings (6992)
United States
February 7, 2007 1:24pm CST
Did you get general anesthesia? How sore were you afterwards?
I just had all four of my wisdom teeth out Monday morning. I was very nervous and had trouble sleeping the night before. I don't like needles and I was mostly worried about that. The person who extracted my wisdom teeth was very laid back and not scary at all. He gave me a valium to take 30 minutes before I got there. When I got there they gave me laughing gas with 55% oxygen which they kept on me the whole procedure. The room was a nice peacefule room with a bay window overlooking a garden and soft music playing. The scary part - the needle - I felt a little bit but next thing I knew it I was out. Next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. Not so bad. I'm sorest today - just my jaws from being pried open - but other than that the experience was not even half as scary as I thought it would be. It cost $910 to have done (which I will be paying back to my mom for the next year since I don't have insurance).
10 people like this
68 responses
@thecaitycat (267)
• United States
7 Feb 07
I was 16 and a senior in high school, and my dental surgeon's office was in a mall of all places. I was "awake" and under the influence of nitrous oxide the whole time, and I could feel the surgeon tugging and pushing things around in my mouth. It hurt a bit, but I was so out of it that all I could do was lie there.
My three wisdom teeth (one of them never developed, apparently) were all impacted, so it took almost three hours to get the first two out. By that time the surgeon said it would be better to schedule another appointment to get the last tooth out. The second operation took about an hour and a half.
Having my jaws pried open for so long REALLY aggravated my TMJ; I had to stop playing the trombone and just play percussion for the rest of the year in band.
3 people like this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
7 Feb 07
I had all four wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia at the hospital. It did not cost me anything because I am Canadian and it was covered by the government as a necessary dental procedure. The recuperation for me was about three days, after that I felt fine. I've also had root canal done before and in comparison the pain involved with that was far worse. Hope you feel better soonly. Cheers!
2 people like this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Thanks. I think I need a root canal too. Unfortunately the guy who pulled my teeth doesn't do root canals too because I was going to have him do it all in one shot.
Question - when the Canadian Gov't pays for medical and dental do you have to wait a long time to get in and have the procedures done? I've heard that.
2 people like this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
7 Feb 07
It depends on where you are located and if it is an emergency or not. I live in Toronto which is a fair sized city and I've never had to wait for any treatments. However, people living in rural areas or are considered non-emergencies could wait for ages for specialized treatment especially. With my teeth, because they were impacted and causing me a bit of discomfort I waited two weeks before getting in the hospital. Had I been suffering a heart attack it would be different. It is far from a perfect system though.
1 person likes this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
7 Feb 07
Oh I forgot to add, with root canal make sure you get a good pain killer for later. It is long and boring, but there is no pain while it's being done, it's just the recuperation part. I found it very difficult to eat or sleep for days after it was done, but it is worth it to have a healthy tooth. Best wishes!
1 person likes this
@nehakalley4 (1918)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Even I had two wisdom tooth which were very painful and hence I went to the dentist to take them out. I was also a bit of nervous before going for the operation of this. Yes Anesthesia was given to the entire section of my mouth and therefore I couldnt feel the pain. But after the removal of the wisdom tooth I was in huge pain at home.I even cried on my mothers lap as I was suffering a lot of pain. But gradually it went by the end of the day.
2 people like this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Mine were straight (not impacted) and had good roots (as opposed to "octopus roots") so they wouldn't have needed to come out except for the fact that they were bad. My other teeth are good but the wisdom teeth were getting huge cavities even though I brush really good. And they were pushing my other teeth in closer together. My dentist said it would be cheaper to pull them than to try to fill them.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
7 Feb 07
Well I only had to have two removed. My other two never formed so in some ways I was lucky on that. The problem was though my mouth was way too small for them. So the one came in and there wasn't enough room, not even to brush or floss it. It got a cavity in it right to the nerve. It was so painful I didn't even realize my bottom one, right below it, was impacted. I had gone to a regular dentist and he had to send me to an oral surgeon. I just had normal shots and he took them out. I wasn't in too much pain until later and it was bearable. The problem came in a couple of days later. The impacted one developed a dry socket. That hurt. The dentist actually saw me on a Sunday in order to treat it I was in so much pain from that. Once that healed though I was fine.
2 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I had mine out around 19. I was mad b/c the only reason I had them out was to get braces, and when I was at the dentist who pulls them they told me I should have gotten them out years ago! My dentist had always told me I didn't have to get them out :(
They tried the breathing anesthesia stuff, but took it off for a lot of it b/c it almost made me pass out. What sucks is that they made me watch a movie about what could go wrong and sign a paper saying I agree right before they pulled them! That made me so nervous. Why don't they show you that a week before?
The needle I always got over, but I hate thinking about it. I've had teeth pulled growing up so I know the needle isn't that bad, however I still get nervous about it anyway.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Most dentists as a general rule say you have to have them out... but it's really not true. You only have to have them out if they are impacted, rotting, or pushing your other teeth together. They say it to prevent future problems, but there are some people who keep their wisdom teeth their whole life with no problems.
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
8 Feb 07
I am glad it wasn't half as scary for you. I have heard horror stories from friend, but I think they just want to scare me. I have all four of my wisdom teeth in and they have not ever been a bother for me. I can only hope my girls will be as lucky.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Go with the anesthesia... being asleep and not seeing the tools is so much better...
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I had general anesthesia when I got mine removed, too. I was pretty nervous about the pain afterwards, but not the actual surgery as much (except when they showed me the video of "things that COULD GO WRONG (but probably won't, so please don't sue us)"). I actually ended up uncomfortable because I was sick from the anesthesia, not because my mouth hurt.
1 person likes this
@samraf (725)
• India
8 Feb 07
i had heard alot about this wisdom teeth but neever experienced , i think it happens with every one in his life . but i am of 23 and i had never been in this situation .
can anyone tell me that what is the maximum time of this wisdom teeth ?
well i am really worried if ill had them in my late ages , then illl becoming a fun attraction in the family and friends and may be at that time i wont feel good enough.
so please tell me whats the age when a person can have a wisdom teeth?
Regards,
Sam
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
The dentist told me that you want to get them out in your 20s. He said the older you get the harder the surgery is. Sometimes you don't need them out...but usually they push the other teeth close together or they rot.
@abovewater (36)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I had mine removed when I was 13, I'm forty now. I think I was completely out. I remember laying down on the chair, them giving me some gas and asking me to count backward. Then i woke up in the recovery area wrapped in a wool blanket..it was the middle of july, and in my hand was a wad full of gause with my teeth. I was pretty sore for a few weeks, couldn't open my mouth all the way because my jaws hurt. All in all I don't remember it being that bad of an experience. It's probably way more advanced these days.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I was really out of it when I woke up. I don't know what they did with my teeth but when I snapped out of it, I wished I had been able to see what my teeth looked like.
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
They come in at different times for different people. I don't think I got mine until I was 19 or 20.
@Seawaves (106)
• United States
8 Feb 07
you must be really strong to get all of em out in one day i personaly, 6 years ago,get them out ,one each week but it was ok my Dc was really good even the first one he said i should eat cold things and the second i can eat hot things but i was feeling.
the second teeth i was eating normaly
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I would rather do it all at once than go through it 4 times.
@Radicalpatriot (665)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Basically, I kept all four of mine and I'll tell you why. As you grow older, it's easy to lose teeth and the wisdoms, if you keep them clean, are simply four extra teeth that come in handy when you get older.
I did finally lose one of them, and rather stupidly at that. I had a molar in my lower left jaw that needed root-canaling, but I didn't have a proper dental plan at the time and I lost that molar, That led to losing the wisdom tooth in behind it eventually, though had I had a decent dental plan I could have had a bridge put in to save that tooth.
Even so, I now have a partial plate that I really don't have to wear all the time, but it helps my remaining teeth if I keep it in place.
Bottom line: I've still got three of my wisdoms and I want to keep them as long as possible.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Mine were rotting. All of my other teeth are good but my wisdom teeth had huge cavities and I couldn't eat chocolate, cold food or hot food. So they had to come out.
@quinine (6)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I had mine out when I was thirteen. My dentist carefully explained, in graphic terms, how they were going crush, chip at, and saw through to remove each tooth, so I was a little nervous going in. I had no problem the day of, however. I woke up halfway through the operation and had a very coherent conversation with a nurse before going back under, and when I woke up again I was done.
The two weeks after, however, were filled with pain. I had to ice my jaw constantly which wasn't too fun, but now it's all over.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I had two pulled out about 40 years ago. I remember a lot of pain, especially on the bottom one. So, I never went back to have the other two yanked, still have them. I was put out with a general anesthesia, as I was so scared. I hope by now you are all better. Blessings, M&M
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@Penguinsangel (3498)
• United States
12 Feb 07
OH $910 isn't as bad as I had feared it would be to get them done.
But I am unsure if my bottom ones might be impacted when I do, which is the icky part.
Glad yours went so well though!! I am always glad to hear how others have gone though this since I might have too soon, even though I am dragging my feet about it. lol
1 person likes this
@feralwoman (2199)
• Australia
9 Feb 07
I had my wisdom teeth out when I was 18, which must explain my extreme stupidity in my adulthood! I went into hospital the day before the op and funnily enough, in the next bed was someone that I used to go to school with! I had a general anaesthetic and was really groggy and not at all well afterwards. I spent the day after in hospital too and the next day I was allowed to go home. This happened when I lived in the UK and it was all for free on the National Health System - ahh, the good old days. I think the medication is the best part - something about that strange feeling you get when you're just about to go under, I always giggle!
1 person likes this
@moonflowerpixy (536)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I did not have mine cut out. I had mine pulled. I dislike the dentist very much! Yes, it hurt. The relief I felt afterwards was beyond the pain of the procedure. Have lots of refrigerated fruit. It helps with swelling and is better than popcicles.
@atownsend2001 (24)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I had my teeth pulled in June05. My experience went very well. I slept a few hours after the procedure and after that I was alert and I was able to east stuff without a problem. The only thing I hated was that I couldn't feel my tongue and jaw for a little while and that was an akward feeling. I was on codine for about a day so that wasn't bad either.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
10 Feb 07
You see how good it is to go and get your teeth pulled,its no big deal..i had all the horrible stories and was so afraid of dentist at one time but no more.It does not hurt,I don,t get put to sleep,they deaden the area and you don,t feel a thing...I had a root canel yesterday,I like getting my teeth done.
1 person likes this
