Filling?

Tar.Aldarion

Was given the option of getting a filling for a wisdom tooth. I've never had one before, so know nothing about them. What should I know? There is a difference in kind, white? Silver? Eating? Complications?

boege

If it can be easily removed then you might want to consider having it done. More than likely they will have to come out eventually. I speak from experience. I have one remaining wisdom tooth that will require surgery to remove. I regret not having it removed when I was younger. It flares up now an then but nothing too serious but I know it will go bad eventually. Talk to your dentist, he/she should be giving you a steer as to what way you need to go.

Ursus Horribilis

I had one filled years ago but was told that eventually it'd have to come out. Dentist was right. I had mine taken out under sedation - covered by health insurance - and am glad they're gone.

Dianthus

OP, you need to ask your dentist these questions as every case is unique& must be assessed on its own merits, clinically. Too many factors to give any advice online.
Upper/lower wisdom tooth
Partially/fully erupted
In functional occlusion/unopposed
Any restoration in adjacent tooth
Food trapping
Accessibility 're maintenance longterm
Risk to inferior dental or lingual nerve
Is decay early/medium/late stage
How many other teeth have you& what condition are they in
Cost
Ect ECT
You get the gist
Ask your dentist &/go to another dentist for a 2nd opinion

Tar.Aldarion

boege wrote: »

If it can be easily removed then you might want to consider having it done. More than likely they will have to come out eventually. I speak from experience. I have one remaining wisdom tooth that will require surgery to remove. I regret not having it removed when I was younger. It flares up now an then but nothing too serious but I know it will go bad eventually. Talk to your dentist, he/she should be giving you a steer as to what way you need to go.

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

I had one filled years ago but was told that eventually it'd have to come out. Dentist was right. I had mine taken out under sedation - covered by health insurance - and am glad they're gone.

I'd rather not have it taken out yet, thanks! Maybe some day. He said that if I left it as is at some point an oral surgeon may have to take it out eventually due to further decay.

Dianthus wrote: »

OP, you need to ask your dentist these questions as every case is unique& must be assessed on its own merits, clinically. Too many factors to give any advice online.
Upper/lower wisdom tooth
Partially/fully erupted
In functional occlusion/unopposed
Any restoration in adjacent tooth
Food trapping
Accessibility 're maintenance longterm
Risk to inferior dental or lingual nerve
Is decay early/medium/late stage
How many other teeth have you& what condition are they in
Cost
Ect ECT
You get the gist
Ask your dentist &/go to another dentist for a 2nd opinion

Thanks, I'll try and field some of these to them, also some answers I know. He did an x-ray and general checkup. It's a lower, partially erupted one that he said food must have got caught in, rest of my teeth are perfect (apparently some are a bit flat from grinding in sleep), I have 30 altogether, 2 taken as a child due to lack of space. I asked what risk was there as in may it still have to come out if something happens a nerve, he said there is always a risk but there shouldn't be any problems. Don't understand the rest of the questions but would like to so as to understand what I am asking about.

Worth going to another dentist for a second opinion on this and everything in general?

Dianthus

It seems your dentist has advised you that the filling may only be a stop-gap measure,& the wisdom tooth may well develop further decay?
It's understandable you want to avoid extraction, & your dentist is trying to facilitate your preference. However you might consider seeing a specialist Oral Surgeon for consultation to assess the long-term prognosis of the wisdom tooth,& whether it's better to intervene now, or kick the ball down the road for another while.

crustybla

I wouldn't put it off if it's something that needs to be done. I had 4 wisdom teeth removed (years ago now) as they were flaring up on and off over a few years. It wasn't a wonderful experience as I had the 4 out at once and the general anaesthetic caused me to be sick, but I was so glad to have had it done. If one is bothering you, why put it off? You'll be glad you got it done with.

Tar.Aldarion

Dianthus wrote: »

It seems your dentist has advised you that the filling may only be a stop-gap measure,& the wisdom tooth may well develop further decay?
It's understandable you want to avoid extraction, & your dentist is trying to facilitate your preference. However you might consider seeing a specialist Oral Surgeon for consultation to assess the long-term prognosis of the wisdom tooth,& whether it's better to intervene now, or kick the ball down the road for another while.

Sorry I wasn't clear, he was the one that recommended a filling, saying if I didn't get it, one day I might have to have the tooth removed. I expressed no opinion, just asked what he thought was best to do.

I could still see the surgeon or another dentist though to see what they think!

WardonGordon

If they are not impacted and not going to be extracted then I have filled wisdom teeth.
Probably would be difficult to get isolation for a composite though.

crustybla

I thought you meant it was giving you trouble anyway, sorry! If it's giving you no trouble and you just need a regular filling then that's different.