Wisdom Teeth Removal - 2nd Opinion Needed

ploploplop

I have an impacted wisdom tooth which hasn't caused any issues (I'm in my 30s). I went to a new dentist recently who took an x-ray and said that there is a small amount of decay between my wisdom tooth and 2nd molar which he can't get at to clean/treat. Therefore the solution is to get the wisdom tooth removed as he doesn't want me to lose the 2nd molar. In fact he wants the corresponding wisdom tooth removed too as he said they should always be pulled in pairs.

1) Is this necessary, should I not wait until my teeth actually give me some trouble, or am I better off doing this now as a preventative measure? All my other dentists have always said that at some point it'll have to come out, so just keep an eye on it and if there's any pain then to let them know - I've never had any pain.

2) He said I need to also have the corresponding wisdom tooth pulled too as wisdom teeth should always be pulled in pairs - is this really the case?

I'm scheduled for both wisdom teeth to be pulled under local anesthetic in a few weeks time, and need a 2nd opinion on this please (or how do I get a 2nd opinion - can I just call a random dentist?)

Dianthus

1- There is trouble ; the decay in the tooth directly adjacent to the wisdom tooth. Decay doesn't cause toothache unless it's approaching the nerve- then you're at root canal treatment of extraction stage.
2- Wisdom tooth extractions are risky. It's a decision between you and the clinician to balance up the pros cons of removing the other wisdom tooth versus leaving in situ (decay, pericoronitis, inferior dental nerve damage, increased bone density with age, ect ect). Each wisdom tooth would be assessed individually

Is it your general dentist or a specialist oral surgeon that you're booked in for in a few weeks time? If the latter, you should have a consultation beforehand & it would be worth phoning them to explain your reservations in case they need to amend your appointment.

Oral Surgeon

ploploplop wrote: »

I have an impacted wisdom tooth which hasn't caused any issues (I'm in my 30s). I went to a new dentist recently who took an x-ray and said that there is a small amount of decay between my wisdom tooth and 2nd molar which he can't get at to clean/treat. Therefore the solution is to get the wisdom tooth removed as he doesn't want me to lose the 2nd molar. In fact he wants the corresponding wisdom tooth removed too as he said they should always be pulled in pairs.

1) Is this necessary, should I not wait until my teeth actually give me some trouble, or am I better off doing this now as a preventative measure? All my other dentists have always said that at some point it'll have to come out, so just keep an eye on it and if there's any pain then to let them know - I've never had any pain.

2) He said I need to also have the corresponding wisdom tooth pulled too as wisdom teeth should always be pulled in pairs - is this really the case?

I'm scheduled for both wisdom teeth to be pulled under local anesthetic in a few weeks time, and need a 2nd opinion on this please (or how do I get a 2nd opinion - can I just call a random dentist?)

1. Decay in the adjacent tooth caused by the impaction of a wisdom tooth against it is a big reason for wisdom tooth removal... This allows access to fix the adjacent tooth. I hate wisdom teeth that are impacted against other teeth and often have them removed before any signs of decay. The wait and see approach is not ideal IMO as you are waiting for decay that often happens, that decay is often painless until the teeth are beyond restoration....

2. When you say corresponding wisdom tooth, do you mean the tooth above it that bites into it?? If so, it does not always need removal. Sometimes you consider removal if it is difficult to access or clean, if there is decay that is hard to get at to fill or if it is non functional (bites on nothing) as it may overgrow and may bite or hurt your gum in time... You don't have to take it now but be warned that you may have to address it later....

There are easier ways to make money out of patients than removing impacted wisdom teeth!!

For a second opinion see an oral surgeon.....

ploploplop

Thanks both for your detailed responses. The appointment is with a specialist oral surgeon, and yes by corresponding wisdom tooth I meant the tooth above it that bites into it. Will go ahead with getting both those teeth removed, and hopefully there won't be too much work required on the 2nd molar.

Dianthus

You're in expert hands so; with a specialist, this sort of work is their bread& butter. But you can always request a separate consultation visit from the treatment visit if you want a bit of time to think it over.
Upper wisdom teeth- if fully erupted- generally tend to be more straightforward extractions than lower.
Best of luck with it!

ballsymchugh

OP a few years ago on the NHS, dentists were instructed not to send impacted wisdom teeth for extraction with their local oral surgeons unless there was obvious decay or infection as many would have sent them pre-emptively anyway.
this went on for a few years and then they realised that the same people were coming back with the problems they were originally trying to prevent with the early extractions. usually those problems had excalated into further extractions or root canal treatments.