Youngest DS has an extra numerary tooth. They were having a really hard time getting a picture of it so they did a CT scan the other day; it was a slow day - we were the only appointment - so the technician let DS and I look at the scans it was pretty cool - especially seeing his lips move when he burped 
. The extra tooth is lying sideways in his jaw like a log or a canoe - cupping the permanent teeth and preventing them from coming down (his top front incisors - #8 & #9). They are going to do surgery to remove the baby teeth - which are still in (their presence at age 8 almost 9 is what prompted us to find the extra tooth) and the extra tooth. We've consulted several surgeons and they've all said the same thing - surgery is essential and there may be some risk to the permanent teeth but can't be specific about the risks because even with the CT scan they just won't know what they are getting in to until they actually open him up. Because we wanted the less traumatic option we have elected to get general anesthesia for him - not thrilled about this because of the extra risk and it's with a very young surgeon but figured it would be less traumatic than the other option - laughing gas. The Oral Surgeon described the anesthesia in detail (they use a registered anesthesiologist, etc.) and described in very general terms what they were going to do (we'll go in and remove the baby teeth then the extra tooth) but he was very vague about the actual surgery. In part I think because DS was sitting right there.
As you can deduce removing the extra tooth is absolutely essential and I'll be doing some research on the internet but I'm tending to mostly find dental journals describing what was done and it's mostly very clinical and not real life experience. I'm wondering what others have experienced so I can best prepare myself, DH and DS as to what to expect. Has anyone ever had surgery to remove a boney impacted tooth? Was it a front tooth? What did they do to the bone/gum? How long did the surgery take? What was your recovery time? Did it have any effects on your teeth/gum/jaw long term?
. The extra tooth is lying sideways in his jaw like a log or a canoe - cupping the permanent teeth and preventing them from coming down (his top front incisors - #8 & #9). They are going to do surgery to remove the baby teeth - which are still in (their presence at age 8 almost 9 is what prompted us to find the extra tooth) and the extra tooth. We've consulted several surgeons and they've all said the same thing - surgery is essential and there may be some risk to the permanent teeth but can't be specific about the risks because even with the CT scan they just won't know what they are getting in to until they actually open him up. Because we wanted the less traumatic option we have elected to get general anesthesia for him - not thrilled about this because of the extra risk and it's with a very young surgeon but figured it would be less traumatic than the other option - laughing gas. The Oral Surgeon described the anesthesia in detail (they use a registered anesthesiologist, etc.) and described in very general terms what they were going to do (we'll go in and remove the baby teeth then the extra tooth) but he was very vague about the actual surgery. In part I think because DS was sitting right there.As you can deduce removing the extra tooth is absolutely essential and I'll be doing some research on the internet but I'm tending to mostly find dental journals describing what was done and it's mostly very clinical and not real life experience. I'm wondering what others have experienced so I can best prepare myself, DH and DS as to what to expect. Has anyone ever had surgery to remove a boney impacted tooth? Was it a front tooth? What did they do to the bone/gum? How long did the surgery take? What was your recovery time? Did it have any effects on your teeth/gum/jaw long term?
