"Proactive" removal of DD's wisdom teeth...what would you do???

[busy mom]

Our dentist say's that my DD, 18, should have all 4 (impacted) wisdom teeth removed to prevent future issues.

They are not causing any trouble now.

Any opinions? Should I put her through this, not to mention the cost, just because there is a potential for problems down the road?

 

[cceandme]

I am a dental assistant. please get them out while she is young. the older a person gets the more dense the bone becomes and the harder the teeth are to remove. shes young enough she will heal just fine and probably doesnt have completely formed roots on her wisdom teeth. as the teeth develop more as she gets older the roots may get close to the mandibular nerve which makes removal even riskier at an older age.
She will do just fine. make sure they take all 4 at one time so se only has to go through it once. hope this helps.

 

[Missy29]

I got mine removed when I was 19 with no problem. They were not coming in yet but the dentist said when they do they might shift my teeth since there is no room for them. I would get them removed for sure.

 

[HM]

17DD just had hers out in January. Only one was giving her problems now, but the Oral Surgeon showed us how the others would never have room to grow in. If you have dental insurance it should help. We ended up paying out of pocket around $570 of the $2700 bill. $1500 insurance, the rest written off through their agreement with the doctor. Also, she was up and at school the second day after. Pain lasted a couple weeks but got better every day. She didn't like the strong drugs so only took Motrin.

My son never had to have his out because they came in just fine and he's 19. My DH and I both still have ours, but I had four molars taken out as a kid and that made room for my slightly crooked wisdom teeth.

 

[chris31997]

I was a couple of years older when I had mine removed and moved half way across the country a week after it The things we do when we are in our 20's Anyway, 2 of them were sitting on roots of other teeth and would have eventually "killed" them and the other roots extended into my sinuses

I would suggest getting it done.

 

[beansmom]

I didn't have mine removed...didn't even really realize until I had them...and one came in sideways and cracked the molar next to it. lost both of the teeth then. I would get them taken out.

 

[leebee]

I'm 57 and still have mine. They started erupting when i was in my late 30s with no problem. I brush/floss carefully as they are way back there, but so far, so good!

 

[MichVick]

I had mine removed at 17 before they came through as well - it's quite common. I was told that they could cause some complications down the road if I didn't.

 

[Southernmiss]

There was a thread on this subject a couple of weeks ago on the Community board.

Most people agreed that to avoid future problems, the wisdom teeth should be removed.

I should have had my 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed as a teen, but didn't. They are still impacted and haven't given me pain or trouble, but they have realigned my perfectly straight teeth and I could use braces again.

I am having my 4 kid's removed as they come out of braces.

 

[pigletto]

DD's wisdom teeth are growing completely sideways into her other teeth and not erupting. We saw this in the x-rays a few years ago and the dentist suggested waiting until she was 16. She's 16 now and gets jaw pain and headaches that we think are likely related. She has absolutely beautiful, straight teeth and we'll be getting them out this summer to avoid any crowding or realignment. There is simply nowhere for them to go.
I'm dreading it for her because I loathe seeing my kids sick or in pain but it really does need to be done.
I didn't have mine removed, and though they weren't impacted 2 of them have had to be pulled later on because they cracked (I grind my teeth at night) and became abscessed. It was just so painful all around and I'm happier to be proactive with her and get them out now before they become a serious issue.

 

[holycow]

I'm the mom of a 14 yr. old who just got her braces off 6 months ago.

Her wisdom teeth are coming in and hurting and messing with her retainers!

So we just got insurance as of this week. She will be getting hers out.

It is better to just do it.

My parents didn't get mine out. I did it when I was 25. After I had my 2nd baby and man did I have problems!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I needed to have mine out, but my parents just delayed and delayed it and then I was already moved out of the house by the time they started really hurting.

I would go through cycles of them trying to erupt, getting serios jaw pain, headaches and then they would recede. Man it hurt for years.

I ended getting them out about 2 years ago and I never ever have jaw pain now.

I really really wish my parents would have paid for it when I was a teen.

 

[tvguy]

Every patient is different, but it is the most frequently done unnecessary dental procedure.

I'm 56 and still have mine, no issue. The dentist I had from age 12 to age 2005 was of the opinion Dentist who purchased his practice wanted them out immediately. He also wanted to do xrays, including panaramic xrays every 4 months, and wanted to replace every filling I had that was over 10 years old. HIS motive was profit, not my dental health. I switched to a difference practice, 2 dentists, and I have seen them both now, and both say, "if they aren't bothering you, why take them out?".



http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20050505/wisdom-teeth-removal-often-unnecessary

 

[brymolmom]

My mom worked for an oral surgeon for 25 years, IMO - you shouldn't take the opinion of a dentist for this -but go to a surgeon - since he/she is the one who gets the cases when they're adults and the wisdom teeth cause big issues.

My mom saw hundreds of this type of issue...And will tell anyone who will listen to GET YOUR KIDS WISDOM TEETH OUT WHILE IN THEIR TEENS. You don't have to be put 'out' so you do not have the same potential risks and complications that you would have with that type of surgery. So, mostly the 'cost' is a sore mouth for a week and some $$ - but likely the parents' dental insurance will be better than the child's for years to come, so it is a practical thing too.

 

[mommyrosa2]

My oldest DD had hers removed last year when she was 17 & had no issues. Orthodontist had told us to get them out before she started college or she would have problems ( all 4 of hers were impacted). After spending close to $7,000 on her teeth, you bet they were coming out! Now my youngest DD...she doesn't have any wisdom teeth so she lucks out, go figure!

 

[Fire14]

I had mine out shortly after turning 17. I was riding horses next day against my parents better judgement. I also had to take my brother to ortho next day because he was being brat and wouldn't ride his bike. I don't recall having any pain but I'd had several teeth pulled in past so was prob used to it.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

Had one removed at 40. Bottom ones were both impacted and when the top ones were removed when I was 19 surgeon suggested leaving them in. Started with ear aches and numbness and after awhile I couldn't feel my lip because of pressure from the bottom right tooth. This dr said leave other other one cause its harder to take them out when you are older. I'd have them removed.

 

[cheer25mom]

If they are impacted they need to come out. Those that erupt without problem are fine. My DH didn't need his removed as they came in fine. I waited too long to have mine removed (mid 20s) and they had to be chiseled out of the bone in pieces after I got a nasty infection in th gum arond the one that was trying to com in sideways. Not fun and very painful. I could barely open my mouth for weeks!

 

[CupcakeKelly]

I just had mine out 3 weeks ago. The oral surgeon kept on repeating the phrase "at your age" and I'm only 31! Once you pass 25 you are over the hill in terms of the complexity and potential issues for wisdom teeth removal. I've had issues with numbness due to nerve bruising, but that happened since I was supposed to have them out 5-7 years ago, but didn't.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Every patient is different, but it is the most frequently done unnecessary dental procedure.

I'm 56 and still have mine, no issue. The dentist I had from age 12 to age 2005 was of the opinion Dentist who purchased his practice wanted them out immediately. He also wanted to do xrays, including panaramic xrays every 4 months, and wanted to replace every filling I had that was over 10 years old. HIS motive was profit, not my dental health. I switched to a difference practice, 2 dentists, and I have seen them both now, and both say, "if they aren't bothering you, why take them out?".



http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20050505/wisdom-teeth-removal-often-unnecessary

I totally agree with all you said.

I just turned 50. About 10 years ago I had a problem with one and my dentist sent me to an oral surgeon. They both agreed it best to only remove the bad one so I still have 3. They both said and I agree why remove the ones not bothering me.
Our 3 kids 19-25 have theirs. No reason to mess with something that might be a problem. Deal with it if it does otherwise leave it alone.
You wouldn't dream of removing all tonsils or appendix because they MIGHT be a problem--wisdom teeth are no different.