"Wisdom teef" written by Libertad for e:strip™ - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood Blogging Community (estrip v5.0)

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Journal 50218 by Libertad

11/04/09 21:05 - 38.ºF - ID#50218Wisdom teef

To remove or not to remove?...that is the question.

My dentist wants them removed. They don't bother me, but they are impacted. His argument is to remove them now before they become problematic, while I have dental insurance and while I am young.

I don't want to have surgery in my mouth. It really just seems awful and since they don't bother me it seems stupid but at the same time what the dentist says makes sense.

Although I haven't called MetLife or Independent Health, I don't think that I will get more than 50% coverage. I don't have any money so that is a problem.

So where do I go if I do decide to get them removed? My dentist wants me to see Frank T. Sindoni who practices in Williamsville but I do not drive so that is also a problem. Buffalo Oral Surgery is on Linwood but I did not get a recommendation for them so that bothers me. Does anyone have any experience with any oral surgeons particularly in the city of Buffalo?

P.S. Dr. Katz, my dentist, moved to Williamsville. Anyone know a good dentist in Buffalo?

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theecarey writes at 06:12:02 11/06/09 - Comment #52683

I wont get into the details of my surgery, but I had mine done a few years ago (I was 30)- this was always something I have put on the back burner since I was a teenager. Younger is better- it can take some time to heal and recover in general. Not everyone has to have them out, it truly depends on how the tooth is growing and what kind of problems it may/will cause. The procedure is quick, overall- (one of mine was extremely tough to get out).
You can be put under or just get some numbing shots (I did that, but I also mentally prepared for it in advance and had an amazingly gentle and all around awesome oral surgeon, Dr. Ben Oppenheimer- if you call him, tell him, "tough tooth" sent you).
Have soft foods on hand and give yourself more time to recuperate than what you might expect..recovery time varies so much. If I had a reliable car, I'd provide a ride; but I definitely don't. Good luck! :)

jenks writes at 03:35:18 11/06/09 - Comment #52674

good luck! I had so many teeth pulled when I had my braces, that I had room and my wisdom teeth are fine. But I think I'd agree with the argument to do it now- if you trust your dentist's call that they will likely need to come out SOMEday- might as well do it while you're young (and insured).

libertad writes at 11:53:22 11/06/09 - Comment #52672

Mike will take me. He better. It would be nice to not have to be in the car for so long though and just get right home so I can get in bed. I still gotta call insurance.

jim writes at 11:43:50 11/06/09 - Comment #52670

Also, yeah, you'll need a ride. They won't actually do the operation on you unless there's someone to take you home, they check with you about your arrangements before they start..

jim writes at 11:38:22 11/06/09 - Comment #52669

My wisdom teeth were total traitors, they were coming in sideways instead of up. Well, the lower ones came in sideways. The top ones were actually embedded in my sinus cavity. Eventually it caused all my lower jaw's teeth to get crooked and jammed together, totally undoing 4 years worth of braces. Went from fine one year to jacked up the next.

Despite how completely messed up mine were, and how much more severe the resulting removal operation was (the top ones being removed left temporary channels between my mouth and my sinuses), it was still actually pretty quick to have it done & to recover.

So considering my easy recovery, I'd say not to worry and just get it done so it's not hanging over you.

libertad writes at 10:53:05 11/06/09 - Comment #52667

He said mine should be removed because they were probably going to be problematic when I get older. In the x-rays they looked pretty messed up. It seems like I probably should get it done, after all (e:matthew) told me that the insurance paid for all of it so chances are mine will too. I'll call them right now to find out. So far I am leaning towards (e:dcoffee)'s recommendation for 117 Linwood. I hate going to the burbs if I don't really need to.

I really need to find a good dentist/hygienist in the area now. It just doesn't make any sense that there are not a lot of choices in the city for dentists and primary care physicians. It must be cheaper in the burbs for them, or maybe it is just people have better insurance out there, or maybe its both reasons.

oda writes at 06:53:43 11/05/09 - Comment #52651

mine were taken out when i was 18. i've always missed them, wondered why they were taken from me. i didn't know enough back then to question it. but still, i don't understand why they'd be taken from me, someone whose wisdom teeth were not bothering them. maybe you can find out why they want to do this to you before you go ahead and decide to go through with it (and pay megabucks). people have always had wisdom teeth; it is new that we get them removed.
if you do it, the surgery is not bad at all, you don't need to worry about that. good luck making your decision!

matthew writes at 11:08:17 11/05/09 - Comment #52638

I had all four of mine taken out a year ago. I'm so glad I did. My mouth feels much healthier. The surgery only took 15 mins total. They healed nicely too. I recomend it.

janelle writes at 07:11:05 11/05/09 - Comment #52635

I'd get them done now under the theory that the younger you are the less complications there will be in recovery.

I had them done when I was sixteen. My surgeon knocked me out entirely so I have no idea what the surgery was like. I was probably home for about three days afterwards. Lots of soup and smooth things for a while and then back to normal.

Good luck with finding an oral surgery clinic. Maybe someone can help you with rides to appointments (and I'll even offer me and Drew) because I think it's important to find a really good one. You're not going to be able to take yourself the day of surgery anyway. You'll have to have someone take you home.

uncutsaniflush writes at 10:08:40 11/04/09 - Comment #52634

First of all, there are multiple types of impacted wisdom teeth. Some are more serious than others. see

for a decent (imho) overview of impacted wisdom teeth and extractions. Hopefully, your dentist discussed what kind of impacted wisdom you have.

Anecdotal evidence: when I was 19, our family dentist told me that I should get all 4 wisdom teeth removed to avoid future problems. When I refused, he told me that I will be "begging him to remove them in a year or two". I got one side removed about 20 years later (because of an abcess on one of them) and still have the other two.

That being said, if memory serves, in general terms, younger is better when it comes to wisdom teeth extraction because the body can recover better.

I hope that helps.

dcoffee writes at 09:53:03 11/04/09 - Comment #52633

First I have a great dental surgery guy to recommend, Dr Schulenberg, 117 Linwood Ave, Buffalo, NY (716) 882-6333‎

he took one of my wisdom teeth out, it was cracked in half, and part of it fell out. He was a pro, and he even called at like 8pm that night after I could talk again, to see if I had any worries.

As for getting your teeth out, I don't know, I got one of my wisdom teeth out, and 4 other teeth a long time ago.

Words: 199 -- , NY

10/31/09 10:08 - 53.ºF - ID#50166Best wishes to e:ladycroft and e:rory!!!

Congratulations guys! You both are awesome together. Wishing you a great day and a happy life together.

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