Advice on wisdom teeth

mumps

I know some dentists post on here so just hoping to get some advice. One of my kids is having some trouble with an impacted wisdom tooth. She was referred to hospital where they agreed to take the offending tooth out but warned her that it is close to nerve and could damage the nerve and cause permanent numbness to tongue, lip, chin and cheek.

This has caused some concern as you can imagine. Is there any alternative, is it better to take the chance now as I can't imagine it is going to get any better. Is it worth paying to see an oral maxillo surgeon privately - would that be more likely to have a positive result.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

brook2jack

As part of the consent process you have to be informed of all the possible complications of a procedure. All people having lower wisdom teeth removed are warned of the possibility of damage to the nerves supplying sensation to the lip and jaw.

It is because of this possibility of damage the NHS will not take out wisdom teeth unless there has been recurrent infections.

If the OK has been given to remove the wisdom tooth then the balance of probabilities is that leaving it in will more likely cause problems than taking it out.

You would get exactly the same warnings if the tooth was removed privately and it would have exactly the same chances of causing problems.

When the nerve is very close to the roots sometimes de coronation is done ie the top of the tooth is chopped off leaving space for the root to move away from the nerve making it easier to take out at a later date. However this also has risks.

mumps

Thanks for the information. The reason I wondered about going private was I read you can have a 3 d scan that enables the dentist to see more accurately where the nerve is in relation to the tooth, at the hospital she only had a normal x-ray. Do you think the scan is worthwhile?

brook2jack

Unless there was very complex anatomy with the nerve going through the roots of the wisdom tooth , in which case a coronectomy would probably be done (taking top of tooth off to allow tooth to move and taking roots out at a later date) there would be little point in a ct scan. Most hospitals would have access to a ct scan , if necessary, anyway.

mumps

Thanks, I don't know what to say to her. She is asking my advice, if it was me I think I would get it done but I hate to give her that advice as it has to be her choice.

The coronectomy hasn't been suggested, maybe she should ask about that.

The annoying thing is that she had an operation to correct a bad underbite (le fort 1?) when she was 18 and we were told they were taking out her wisdom teeth during the operation so this has come as a bit of a shock. I wish they had done it then.

mumps

brook2jack, just wanted to thank you for your advice. She saw a different dentist at another hospital as she was moving to a new city. He made her feel more confident about the whole thing and she went ahead and had it done. Unfortunately she did get dry socket, don't know why it happened as she did everything she was told but I guess sometimes these things just happen. It is now all healed and no nerve damage, she is so glad it is all over and done with.

Thanks again for your advice.