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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Expert Forum)
Wisdom tooth extraction anxiety
Answered by
Mario Tuchman, DMD, MD - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Implants, Wisdom Teeth
Private Practice New York City
New York City - NY
Questions in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery forum are answered by Dr. Michael H Kirsch and Dr.
Mario Tuchman. Topics covered include teeth extractions, wisdom teeth, dental implants, bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, facial bones realignment, facial trauma repair, jaw alignment, anesthesia , jaw cyst or tumor diagnosis, reconstructive jaw surgery, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and TMJ surgery.
Wisdom tooth extraction anxiety
by dankimdani, Jun 01, 2009 07:22PM
I was told about 2 years ago that I needed to have all four wisdom teeth extracted. I am a 35 yr old woman and all four of these teeth are impacted. I went to an oral surgeon who let me know that these would be difficult extractions for several reasons. One has grown into the sinus cavity, one has roots running very close to the nerve, and one may need a bone graft to replace bone when it is removed. I have severe dental phobias and was told that I needed to be awake for this procedure. My question is how important is it for me to get this done and what am I facing if I can't manage to go through with it. Also, do you think I really need to be awake for it? I am completely terrified that I will end up with permanent nerve damage and go through a horrendous procedure awake and I don't know what to do. Please give me some advice and maybe a little hope. I don't want to neglect it and make it a bigger problem in the future. How can I get through this?
Doctor's Answer
by Mario Tuchman, DMD, MD, Jun 02, 2009 09:59AM
, Jun 02, 2009 09:59AMTo: dankimdani
Most oral surgeons agree that around ages 35-40 the risks of removing completely impacted and complex 3rd molars begin to outweigh the benefits. From what you've written, it sounds like some of your 3rd molars are causing some problems affecting other structures and possibly your 2nd molars. In this case, I think some, if not all your 3rd molars should be extracted. I am not sure why the oral surgeon (are you sure he's an oral surgeon?) is not recommending sedation. I think you would really benefit from sedation and would highly recommend you ask your dentist to recommend another oral surgeon for a second opinion.
