Definitely need work done. Scared!

[AtreidesKnight]

I'm not afraid of pain. I've fractured both of my ankles several times, and even dislocated my knee cap. I never cried. I'm not afraid of needles either. In fact, whenever I give blood, I stare at the needle going in with some kind of morbid fascination.

I say this because, for some reason, the idea of hopping into a dentist chair fills me with terror. Every single needle, every single drill, every pinch or prod scares me.

Now, I've gone to the dentist, though it's been about two years, and I've had cavities filled, etc. But I still need major work done. I know I have two wisdom teeth that need to be pulled. I also have severe overcrowding, as in two of my upper front baby teeth never fell out and the permanents came in above them.

I've been lurking on these forums and reading the great responses that you fine folks give. I have a few issues. Do you think you folks can help me with them?

• I'm terrified of getting my wisdom teeth extracted. I've heard so many horror stories. How easy is this procedure? Will I feel anything during? (I can handle any amount of pain afterward.)
• I'm 29. I've heard wisdom tooth extraction becomes more difficult with age. Is this true? If so, how bad will it be for me?
• What are the odds of parasthesia (not sure if I spelled that correctly)? I've heard horrifying stories of people never regaining the feeling in their jaw? What are the odds of fracturing my jaw during this procedure?
• Has anyone else experienced severe overcrowding? If so, how was the treatment procedure? How long do braces generally stay on?
• I imagine that I'd have to get at least two teeth pulled before I get braces. Do regular extractions hurt? Are there any complications that might arise from pulling these baby teeth at my age?

I'd appreciate any help you guys can give. I'm trying to complete a total life transformation by age 30. I'd like to lose weight. (I'm not fat, but I'd like to get back to the weight I was when I did Tae Kwon Do and was in good shape.) I'd like to write the first draft of a novel. Most of all, I'd like to get my teeth fixed. So whatever you guys have to say would be very helpful.

 

[lacuna]

yay! I am also on the road of "thin by 30" (healthy/fit more like it) and fixing my teeth!
you will find great help here.

 

[brit]

I'm not afraid of pain. I've fractured both of my ankles several times, and even dislocated my knee cap. I never cried. I'm not afraid of needles either. In fact, whenever I give blood, I stare at the needle going in with some kind of morbid fascination.

I say this because, for some reason, the idea of hopping into a dentist chair fills me with terror. Every single needle, every single drill, every pinch or prod scares me.

Now, I've gone to the dentist, though it's been about two years, and I've had cavities filled, etc. But I still need major work done. I know I have two wisdom teeth that need to be pulled. I also have severe overcrowding, as in two of my upper front baby teeth never fell out and the permanents came in above them.

I've been lurking on these forums and reading the great responses that you fine folks give. I have a few issues. Do you think you folks can help me with them?

• I'm terrified of getting my wisdom teeth extracted. I've heard so many horror stories. How easy is this procedure? Will I feel anything during? (I can handle any amount of pain afterward.)
• I'm 29. I've heard wisdom tooth extraction becomes more difficult with age. Is this true? If so, how bad will it be for me?
• What are the odds of parasthesia (not sure if I spelled that correctly)? I've heard horrifying stories of people never regaining the feeling in their jaw? What are the odds of fracturing my jaw during this procedure?
• Has anyone else experienced severe overcrowding? If so, how was the treatment procedure? How long do braces generally stay on?
• I imagine that I'd have to get at least two teeth pulled before I get braces. Do regular extractions hurt? Are there any complications that might arise from pulling these baby teeth at my age?

I'd appreciate any help you guys can give. I'm trying to complete a total life transformation by age 30. I'd like to lose weight. (I'm not fat, but I'd like to get back to the weight I was when I did Tae Kwon Do and was in good shape.) I'd like to write the first draft of a novel. Most of all, I'd like to get my teeth fixed. So whatever you guys have to say would be very helpful.

Atreidesknight
You made me smile as you opened by saying you did not fear pain and then went on to query how painful several aspects of dental treatment were!
Dental treatment never has to be painful at all even if you just use local anesthetic (novocaine) but for wisdom tooth removal you might see an oral surgeon who would be able to i/v sedate you or even give you GA so that you know and remember nothing at all about the procedure.

I am not a dentist but I would say the answers are:
I'm terrified of getting my wisdom teeth extracted. Will I feel anything during? NO BUT SOME DENTISTS MAY CAUSE A BIT OF DISCOMFORT WHILE INJECTING THE LA. MANY DO NOT AND IF YOU WERE SEDATED YOU WOULD BE UNAWARE EITHER WAY.
[*]I'm 29. I've heard wisdom tooth extraction becomes more difficult with age. Is this true? If so, how bad will it be for me? HAD MINE DONE LATE TWENTIES, ONE OF THOSE THINGS THEY SAY TO GET YOU TO DO IT ASAP MAYBE. YOU HEAL BETTER THE YOUNGER YOU ARE BUT 29 IS STILL QUITE YOUNG.
[*]What are the odds of parasthesia? ORAL SURGEON CAN ADVISE BASED ON YOUR X_RAYS MOST PEOPLE REGAIN THE FEELING EVENTUALLY. IT IS JUST NERVE TRAUMA REALLY AND ISNT THAT COMMON>
What are the odds of fracturing my jaw during this procedure? ZERO IF YOUR SURGEON IS COMPETENT AND EXPERIENCED
[*]Has anyone else experienced severe overcrowding? If so, how was the treatment procedure? How long do braces generally stay on? AS A TEEN - SEEMS TO BE QUICKER THESEDAYS MINE WERE 2 YEARS.
[*] Do regular extractions hurt? NO THEY SHOULD BE PAINFREE AS YOU WILL BE NUMB.
Are there any complications that might arise from pulling these baby teeth at my age? NO idea ask dentist, probably not.

 

[AtreidesKnight]

Thanks for the help.

Anyone else have any personal experiences with these issues, or something similar?

 

[icklenymph]

Hi,

I'm 28 and had a bottom wisdom removed (and the tooth next to it) when I was 27 under IV sedation so as for the actual process of removal I can't advise much on that, however if the IV option is available to you I'd certainly look into it if you can.
I've been told that bottom wisdoms are more awkward to remove but I haven't had any upper ones taken out (yet). I've also had the other bottom wisdom removed a few years ago which again was done also via IV sedation, but as it was rotten/broken apparently it was a doddle to take out anyway. I was barely under more then a few minutes.
I don't think age plays much of a part in wisdom removal. I took longer to heal because I had 2 teeth taken out next to each other, and I'm also anaemic which apparently slows down healing. I had a bruise on my jaw for a while afterwards, which was rather amusing then anything else for peoples reactions! (At the time I worked in a very customer orientated job)
Did it hurt afterwards? I won't lie it did, BUT as long as you stay on top of your painkillers its fine. I was stupid and tried leaving it for as long as possible between doses but I really don't reccommend this. Stay with the maximum daily dose at least for the first 2-3 days, and if you can cope with it then reduce as necessary. As a side note I had feeling within my jaw as soon as the numbness wore off, though due to the IV I was asleep most of the day anyway afterwards.
Due to also suffering with overcrowding myself, I have also had some "regular" extractions though if I'm being honest those teeth weren't well looked after anyway so they were not difficult to remove. For me, if I remain "awake" its more the sound of what they are doing, so if you have the option of listening to music or whatever that certainly helps as a distraction.
I haven't had the need for braces so unfortunately I can't help you on that point.
I've had a lot of work done for someone who is about to turn 29 but none of it has ever been as bad as I imagined it to be. Once its done its done, and once my bad teeth were gone I felt so relieved and had an immense sense of achievement because I felt that if I could go through that, I could deal with anything. I just wish I had done it earlier!