filling vs extraction

[Jaquta]

I have two lower wisdom teeth that either need filling or extracting.  (Food collects in them and the dentist has mentioned that it would have been good to have had them out at the same time as I had my upper wisdom teeth removed.)  What would be the preferable option?
I think there may be a mercury filling in one.  Should that affect my decision one way or the other?
My teeth are very important to me and I am very sensitive about them.  I am very confused and overwhelmed by this decision.
I do try to take good care of my teeth.  I have a history of binge eating (which I feel I am getting on top of) and of stress.  My dentist has told me I have brushed too hard and the tops of my teeth (near the gum) are eroding.
With that and al the other stuff I just feel devastated.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If they are perfectly aligned and there is enough room for them for proper care, then its okay to keep them but if they seem to be at more risk for problems in the future, it may be a good idea to remove them before they become problematic.  The hardest part of your decision is to know what the future holds and what may happen if you do and don't have them removed.  But removing them isn't a bad idea if you are removing the two upper ones.

[turkee23]

i would take them out.... wisdom teeth are always a pain in the butt ..... you might fill them and STILL have problems withthem... you can get them pulled and wont have to worry about your other teeth moving......pull them and dont worry about them again

[Jaquta]

Thanks for your response.  I think I'm leaning towards having them out, just not sure.

[toothach86]

dear jaquta  if your wisdom teeth r causing your lower teeth crowding u should remove them to avoid further complications but if they r properly erupted and in thier right position and not causing u any problems just fill them cuz u seem to be really caring about keepin them and also sont brush them too hard cuz if u keep doing that the erusion will reduce ur enamel layer therefor make them weaker and more sensitive..

[Jaquta]

Dear Dr Tsang

Thanks for your response!!
My dentist seemed to think that I would be better able to care for my teeth without them.
I'm happy to floss and brush my teeth everyday (especially if it means keeping them!).
He did seem to indicate that there may be a problem with spacing and that my next tooth may be at risk.
My dentist did indicate that even if I did get them filled that I may need to have them extracted later.  He also said that it would be more cost effective to have them out now.

Over several dental visits he has said it was a shame that I didn't have my bottom wisdom teeth removed at the same time as the top ones (which were impacted and in my sinus).

My dentist probably would have recommended having them (the lower ones) out but he kept saying that it would be traumatic.

I guess there are more good reasons to having them out (crowding, future risk and absent upper ones.  Plus cost.) than keeping them (which are predominantly emotional).

When a dentist says traumatic, how traumatic is that I wonder?
I've already had radiation treatment this year.  I am now anemic and depressed.  The word traumatic has me concerned.

Thank you for your response.  I think I am better able to make a decision now.