Wisdom Teeth Are Ruining My Life

[Di_UK]

So glad to have found this forum... I am here looking for similar situations and hopefully some advice. Its a long story so please bear with me...

I am 30 years old (living in the UK) and since having my 4 back molars removed when I was 11 (due to lack of room) and having braces fitted I have had perfect teeth. I have always looked after them and 5 years ago I had them professionally whitened which has left them looking nice ever since.

Last year my upper left wisdom tooth started to come through. It was very painful at the time as I don't have much room and the tooth is now pointing outwards into my cheek which is very irritating. My husband lost his job last year which left us unable to pay the monthly dental insurance and our dentist struck us off, despite us offering to pay for private services in the future (they only take patients on their insurance policy).

Just after Christmas my lower left wisdom tooth started hurting (still under the gum). The pain has got gradually worse until 3 weeks ago when the pain became severe. I booked in to see a local NHS emergency dentist. He told me that the tooth is impacted and pressing on the roots of my back molar. This is causing my gums to recede and a hole has appeared at the gumline behind my molar through which he could feel the wisdom tooth underneath. He recommended a course on antibiotics until I can be seen by an oral surgeon.

Over the last week the pain has once again increased and my lower front teeth have started to overlap each other which is very painful. My 2 top front teeth have also become loose for some reason. All the pain of having braces is now being undone which is making me very upset.
A few days ago I could not cope with the pain (I am already on Morphine for a back problem) and hesitantly started upping my dose of Nurofen which takes me over the recommended dosage. I am now suffering from bleeding when I go to the toilet however the pain is too much to bear from my jaw to stop taking them.

A few days ago I went back to see the emergency dentist. I came out crying as he drilled into my back lower molar (which was fine) just incase there was some decay adding to the pain. He has put a temporary filling in and has left my back tooth looking chipped and rough on the edges. This did nothing to ease the pain.

My husband is tearing his hair out with worry as I can't get out of bed due to all the pain meds I am taking. He has called the hospital A&E who won't help and called the oral surgery department who have brought my appointment forward to this Friday.

I am so scared of the damage being done to my teeth and my health. The appointment on Friday is only to have x-rays and I am dreading the waiting time for the actual procedure. I am at the point now where I cannot wait with this pain for 2 more days and very close to pulling out my back molar myself to make more room for the wisdom tooth and take the pressure off the rest of my teeth. This sounds terrible, but I simply cannot take this pain any more.

If anyone can provide any advice on pain relief I would be very grateful.

Every 24 hours I am taking:
2 prescribed Diclofenac tablets
2 Dihydrocodeine 90mg tablets (for the last 3 years)
20mg Oramorph (for the last 3 years)
and 2 Nurofen every 3 hours
Orajel when required

Thanks,

Diane


Forgot to add: I am a total dentist phobic. I have had a panic attack at both last appointments and vomited whilst waiting for the local anaesthetic to work. This started following root canal work which had to be re-done a few years ago. My original dentist recommended a general anaesthetic for any impending wisdom tooth work.

 

[Di_UK]

Today has been the worst day so far. I was looking forward to the appointment with the oral surgeon and maybe getting a date for extraction.
On arriving he told me that he couldn't xray me at the clinic and proceeded to ask me where the pain was and had a feel around in my mouth.

He then told me I had TMJ Syndrome which was a shock to me. When I asked him what the symptoms were he reeled off a few things and I firmly stated that I do not suffer with any of those symptoms. I was totally baffled as to how he could diagnose this without me actually having any of the symptoms.
As I had rubbed him up the wrong way he then told me I would have to wait at least 3 months for the procedure.
I then broke down as my husband told him that I couldn't cope with the pain for 3 months. I was told to just sign the form and then I'd be put on the waiting list. He then told us that he had other patients waiting.
I refused to sign as I could not agree to the pre-existing condition on the form of TMJ Syndrome. I know that TMJ is a complication of extraction and he is obviously trying to cover himself should the problem occur.

I left in tears and he remained totally unsympathetic. One thing he did do was to refer me to hospital for an x-ray.
I have just returned from having the x-ray and managed to get a look at it. I am in shock at what I have seen. The main problem wisdom tooth is indeed impacted and has broken through the roots of my back molar. This is obviously why I am in excruciating pain. The other side is about to do the same thing and the unerupted top tooth is travelling the wrong way back into my head.

I have not stopped crying all day due to the pain and the stress. I am obviously not going to be getting fixed any time soon and I don't think I can cope anymore. The only thing keeping me going is my 2 little girls. Otherwise I'd have done something stupid by now.

Not expecting any response to this but it feels good to get it off my chest.

 

[wits end]

Hi, Di,

I am very sorry to hear of your plight and just wanted to say that I hope you will soon find a solution for it.

I don't know of any advice I can offer you other than maybe try calling the NHS Direct line.

I too am from Lancashire and joined the forum about 18 months ago.

 

[brit]

I would say the x-ray is evidence that you need to be bumped up the 'clinical need' list. Get your OH to wade in for you assertively. The OS you saw sounds unusually unhelpful. The good news is that you may get someone else when you actually do get treatment.
Going to see your GP to confirm urgency because of the bleeding caused by the painkillers you are taking would also maybe strengthen your case.

Complain and ask for a second opinion is also an option...don't like the stuff about the TMJ symptoms being forced upon you. Sounds like you have seen 3 people all of whom have assessed inappropriately in the absence of a proper x-ray.

It's outrageous that you have to do any of this.....of course. Hope you get sorted soon.

 

[CandyJane2]

Hello

First of all I would like to say that obviously i am not a doctor and cannot give you any medical advice.

However, nowhere on your list of pain medication do you mention Tramadol.

This is the one pain killer i have relied on in the agony i have been in with my jaw/teeth.It is not for everyone and can cause some severe symptoms if you turn out to be allergic to it (you should google for problems with it).

However i wonder if it might be worth asking your doctor since you say nothing else is helping much?

It is a very strog painkiller and they don't usually prescribe it withpout good reason, but i hope this might help you.

Jayne
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