New wisdom tooth - possible?

[hatrick03]

I had three wisdom teeth pulled out last year. The x-ray taken at the dentist's office only showed three wisdom teeth (one on top, 2 on the bottom). I know it's possible to only have 3, but that most people have 4. Lately, I've noticed a bump on my gum, upper left side - it feels much like a wisdom tooth coming in. Could it be possible that I have a 4th tooth, and it was just not visible on the x-ray? It hasn't given me any pain until now, but that could be because I've been pressing the bump with my tongue, trying to figure out what it is. I'm due to have my teeth cleaned, but I thought about skipping it this year my insurance doesn't cover dental, and I've had unexpected expenses come up. I will go if it is possible that this could be a new wisdom tooth because I doubt there will be enough room for it to come in, and it could mess with my orthodontal work. Is it even possible? My other wisdoms all started surfacing around the same time, and I was 24 at that point, which is a little old to get wisdom teeth. I'm now a year older, and wouldn't expect to be getting a wisdom tooth at 25. What do you think? I'm almost afraid to call the dentist because he may want to do another $100 x-ray that I can't afford (can't he tell what it is by examining it?).

[hatrick03]

I found out through looking at my old receipts that I already had a wisdom tooth pulled out of my upper left side (the side where I now have a tooth growing in). I thought for sure I had two lowers and my upper right pulled, but the paperwork clearly says I had two uppers and one lower pulled. Anyhoo, so I wonder what in the heck this is growing in? I've read that rarely people do have extra wisdom teeth, sometimes a whole new set - guess this is what it has to be. My mom's trying to convince me that it can't be a wisdom tooth, but I don't know what else it could be.

Sanoe, that is strange that your x-rays didn't pick up any wisdoms at all. Guess it is possible for it to miss teeth, esp. if in my case, this was a wisdom tooth hidden up behind a wisdom tooth. Are you have your impacted tooth out? That sounds very painful. Whatever this is sometimes hurts, then sometimes I don't feel it at all. But, whenever I wear my nightime retainer, I can feel my molar pressing up against the new tooth. I'm so afraid it's going to mess with my orthodontal work if it's not removed soon. I was able to move up my appt. to next week because I told them I know pretty much that it's a tooth now, and it's giving me pain. They're going to do x-rays and then have it removed that day if it is indeed a tooth. I'm so mad - it could be as much as $600, and I don't have dental insurance.

[Sanoe]

I had the oral X RAYS done at 16 and then again at 18 and 21.  They 'apparently' didn't show ANY wisdom teeth present in the jawbone.  I'm 23 now and have one upper wisdom tooth and a very impacted lower wisdom tooth which is constantly infected.  I am VERY angry that these weren't picked up.  

[hatrick03]

I did some more searching, and found a dentist's site with a list of several questions they've received. I found out it is possible to have a wisdom tooth come in later on. Don't know how common it is, but a girl had written in saying that she was having her last wisdom tooth come in after having 3 others pulled. What is even more strange is that it's possible to have TWO sets of wisdom teeth! It's very rare, but you can have extra wisdom teeth grow in after the first set has been pulled - they're called supranumerary (sp?) teeth. I truly hope that isn't the case here - I don't need that much wisdom, lol! I only have 1 growing, far as I can tell, and it is on the only side where I haven't had a wisdom tooth yet. So I'm guessing it's my 4th tooth. It is just strange that it wouldn't show up on x-ray, like you said. Though I noticed the x-ray didn't go very far back. I remember just seeing a small portion of my upper wisdom tooth that was above the gum. I talked to the oral surgeon's office, and they said it sounded more like a bone spec. I'm not sure what that is - I've heard of people getting a piece of bone from meat lodged in their gum, and it appeared to be a new tooth. Guess that is possible, but this really feels like I'm cutting a tooth. They're having me come in in a couple of weeks (the doctor is on a retreat). Anyway, whatever it is, it is odd!

[pertykitty]

it would be odd to not been seen on an xray.  uless they didnt get far enough back and the tooth has slowly erupting , but odd.