Partially impacted wisdom teeth damaged teeth in front. What to do?

[Ascendant]

The wisdom teeth in my lower jaw are partially impacted and have both pushed into the teeth in front of them. When I consulted a dentist last week about them, she said I had two options:

1. Get the wisdom teeth pulled (she couldn't, I would need an oral surgeon), then see what needed to be done on the teeth in front of them. She said with how far the wisdom teeth went into those teeth and with how close to the gums that I would most likely need a root canal and some kind of crown with an extension (I think that's what she said, but not 100% positive). She didn't rule out the possibility of getting them filled, but said that I would probably need a root canal and the other work and that it would be very costly.

2. Since the wisdom teeth themselves are fine, pull the teeth in front of them that are damaged, then have work done to try to pull the wisdom teeth up to the other ones. Though she said this would be cheaper, until I could get the wisdom teeth pulled up to fill that gap, I would have a large gap in the back that would affect my chewing.

Although #1 is the more expensive choice, I am hoping that maybe they can just fill it or at least try to before doing a root canal. I really don't know what to do. I don't like #2 because I know that pulling the wisdom teeth forward will be a long process, and I don't know how well they would be able to get the wisdom teeth lined up with the other teeth if I were to choose option #2.

I know it's hard to give advice without seeing the actual x-rays, but I am really not sure what to do, and I don't have the money to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I want to try to do the most affordable option, but I don't want to not be able to chew my food properly because of pulling the teeth that I need to eat with. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[carole]

to the forum to both of you.

Ascendant I would go with the first choice myself, but it is something you need to discuss further with your dentist until you feel sure, ask the dentist what she would do herself.

I would go for the first choice and get the wisdoms out because they are not as strong as the other teeth we have and they do get problems, so you may need them removing later. You might as well get them out of the way and keep the other back ones that will serve you for years probably. You might not need to have rct or anything done to them.

It is something you need to be really sure about before you make a decision, that you can't go back on.

Let us know how you get on, get a second opinion if it would make you feel better, your dentist does sound as if she is trying to advise you and help you make a decision.

 

[Ascendant]

Thanks for the feedback. As far as urgency, this has been an issue now for a very long time. Though the wisdom teeth don't seem to be moving any more, the issue at this point is an infection. I am also worried that the longer I hold it off, the more time those molars have to push into the teeth in front of them. I have procrastinated for a long time due to the financial issue, but I know I need to get this done. If I wait until it does hurt me at some point, an emergency visit to get them removed will cost far more than a pre-scheduled surgery. Anyway, I will keep you posted when I figure out what I am going to do. Hopefully, I will do this within the next few weeks, at least as far as getting something scheduled.