Wisdom tooth..

I woke up with pain this morning and went to the dentist and he said that my wisdom tooth is covered on top with tissue that is casusing the pain and swelling from food getting in there. He said that if I get the tooth removed it can cause nerve damage...this got me so nervous! He gave me 2 options-I can get it removed or he can try and cut the tissue on top of the tooth but that may not work and I will just have to get it removed anyway.
Did anyone ever get a wisdom tooth pulled and get nerve damage?

Message edited 12/29/2007 1:12:04 PM.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

sorry can't help you. I had pain and swelling because my wisdom teeth were breaking through. So I had all four removed. One actually has a little bone left because they couldn't dig it all out. I had no issues at all.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

I really feel for you. The same exact thing happened to me. I have gotten 3 of my wisdom teeth pulled and the one that is left sits right on top of a nerve. Of course, the tissue started to grow over mine and it got infected. The dentist pulled away some of the tissue and I got an antibiotic for it. That was over a year ago. Now the damn tooth causes me so much face, head, jaw pain that I may just get it pulled. I am very scared to do it, but it is putting me in a lot of discomfort.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

Posted by Snickers

I really feel for you. The same exact thing happened to me. I have gotten 3 of my wisdom teeth pulled and the one that is left sits right on top of a nerve. Of course, the tissue started to grow over mine and it got infected. The dentist pulled away some of the tissue and I got an antibiotic for it. That was over a year ago. Now the damn tooth causes me so much face, head, jaw pain that I may just get it pulled. I am very scared to do it, but it is putting me in a lot of discomfort.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

I would see what he can do about the tissue before you get it pulled. He may just have to cut it open a little bit. He'll probably give you an antibiotic and a painkiller.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

I've had 8 teeth pulled, 4 at a time...... Never had any complications.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

Did you go to an oral surgeon or regular dentist? Lots of times regular dentists make a big deal out of nothing. I've been in the dental field for 18 years & the chance of you have permanent nerve damage from wisdom tooth removal is slim. More likely you could have temporary nerve issues that go away over time. An oral surgeon would know best.
Removing the tissue is a temporary solution.
For some relief at home you can wet a tea bag & put it over the spot that's hurting & keep it in there a while. It will reduce the swelling & make it feel a little better.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

Posted by KellyFG

Did you go to an oral surgeon or regular dentist? Lots of times regular dentists make a big deal out of nothing. I've been in the dental field for 18 years & the chance of you have permanent nerve damage from wisdom tooth removal is slim. More likely you could have temporary nerve issues that go away over time. An oral surgeon would know best.
Removing the tissue is a temporary solution.
For some relief at home you can wet a tea bag & put it over the spot that's hurting & keep it in there a while. It will reduce the swelling & make it feel a little better.

Re:

Message edited 3/3/2010 10:57:56 PM.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

yes, your tooth is close, just about everyone's is. There is a large nerve that runs along your lower jaw under all of your bottom teeth called the inferior alveolar nerve. Sometimes third molars(wisdom teeth) have long roots that wrap around or sit on this nerve, during the surgical removal of the tooth the nerve may be touched or damaged, unless it is severed or deeply cut the affect would be temporary. Symptoms would include numbness to teeth on that side of your mouth, numbness of half your lower lip and or tongue. As I said this is very rare & if it is a true risk in your situation an oral surgeon would be best to take the tooth out.
Good luck!

Re: Wisdom tooth..

Posted by KellyFG

Did you go to an oral surgeon or regular dentist? Lots of times regular dentists make a big deal out of nothing.

Re: Wisdom tooth..

I just made an appt with an oral surgeon yesterday to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth out on January 16th. Im so scared of this procedure I cant even begin to tell you! I was supposed to get them out 5 years ago and I still haven't gone. They told me that if I don't get them pulled out, then there's a possibility that I could have nerve damage leaving them in. (a regular dentist told me that)
All I know is, I'm getting knocked out for the procedure and I'm anticipating the worst. I know that's a horrible attitude but I'm just so scared.
I would definitely talk to an oral surgeon and see what he has to say about the nerve damage.