Wisdom tooth - ouch

[Hufty]

I need to get an impacted wisdom tooth removed surgically. The consultant used words like "grinding", "sawing" and "cutting" which tend to make your eyes water just thinking about it!

I was wondering if anybody had had one removed surgically and if so, how long it took to get back to work (flying). Any problems associated with pressurisation or dry air etc.???

Thanks...

[gingernut]

Recovery is usually uneventful, but you'll be out of action for at least a week.

Sorry, can't be specific about aviation requirements, but I guess comfort will be your eventual guide.

As a matter of interest, have these teeth been causing you problems?- I ask, because latest research suggests that removal isn't recommended in non problematic teeth (whether impacted or not).

[AppleMacster]

Hufty,

I had to have all four wisdom teeth removed earlier this year. Fortunately, I had it done at hospital under general anaesthetic. I would highly recommend this, as the procedure can be quite brutal! The surgeon told me it would take "one week to recover". This was pure sophistry as after four days my mouth was very sore, to the point of distraction and I was on painkillers and antibiotics for another ten days. In the end, I was off work for almost three weeks.

There was no risk of barotrauma (according to my ex-Polish Air Force dentist). My mouth was still changing shape every day for about another month on returning to work (it's really quite weird as it adjusts for the gaps), but I didn't experience any trouble regarding pressurisation or dry air.

Applemacster

[Hufty]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I would prefer just to leave it in but it has become infected and giving me grief!!

Thanks again..

[helimutt]

My Best Man went into the local dental hospital (training section) during his lunch break from work, for 4 wisdom teeth removed. This was carried out TRAINEES, under a local anaesthetic!!!!

He went back to work straight afterwards. He complained of some pain but had no meds for it.
I have to say here that he has probably the highest pain threshold of anyone i've ever known but still, you hear horror stories too so I guess everyone is different.

Hope it goes well for you.

[Fargoo]

I had mine done 2 at a time in my late 20's.
At a local hospital under local, the op wasn't painful but the recovery was. A full 24 hours of agony followed by a couple of days of mild annoyance.
Only took one shift off work though.
From what others have told me having them removed under general is much less painful as they slice the gum, remove the tooth then stitch back up again.
Mine were pulled, broken bit by bit whilst the assistant knelt on my chest - they really didn't want to come out

[haughtney1]

Hufty, I had my two lower (impacted) wisdom teeth surgically removed, the last one done 5 months ago.
I had a local anesthetic, and had both of them removed in hospital. My specialist used similar language to yours...he also mentioned the possibility of a broken jaw
Apart from feeling pressure on my lower jaw as he drilled/hacked/chipped/sawed away...the only discomfort I felt was for a day or two as my stitches started to dissolve.
The secret is to keep your mouth clean (post Op) by rinsing with lightly salted warm water..and allow the wound to heal.
Its a bit worrying, but not as bad as you probably think it is.....oh and I was on antibiotics for 7 days..and pain killers for 2 days

[Fly-by-Wife]

Hufty,

I sympathise! Like AppleMacster I had all4 taken out under general (in 1991).

The pre-med was wonderful, but it went rapidly downhill after waking up!

Painkillers for 5 days, Anti-b's for 2 weeks.

Back to work after a week to find a letter on my desk informing me that my salary (along with all other employees) had been reduced by 10%.

I can laugh about it now...

FBW

[Blues&twos]

Similar stories from me. First one removed by hospital under general after local dentist snapped the thing off in my mouth during his attempt with what appeared to be a rusty screwdriver. Hospital sliced the gum, bit of pain after I woke up for about a week, iburofen sorted that out..

Second one taken out a couple of weeks ago at new dentist! Fantastic, no pain at all, back to work later in same day, recovered very quickly.

Luck of the draw!!!

[Gallimero]

I had 4 removed with local anaesthetic, but one a month in order to let it time to heal before starting with a new one. No problem whatsoever, only mild pain for a week (used a painkiller) and had to take antibiotics.

[ZK-NSJ]

had 7 out in one hit (2 impacted wisdom teeth, 2 normal wisdom teeth, and 3 others) surgically, never felt a thing, even the post surgeryy pain was minimal, i didnt have to take any of the pain killers given, swelling went down after around 6 days (it looked like i had been 12 rounds with tyson)
and the only thing that bothered me was the disolvable stiches which irritated me for 10 days or so, i was only off work for 3 days

[empacher48]

I had two impacted wisdom teeth removed about a year ago. It was done under a general anaesthetic in hospital. The surgery took about 2 and half hours, with some complications, nicking a main artery when he smacked the teeth to break them. (They came out in about 100 pieces each).

So I had to stay overnight in hospital, just for observation. Was in agony for a week, was able to take things like Vicodin and some pretty powerful anitbiotics. But was back flying in 4 weeks, after a clearance from the aviation Doc.

Then a week after going back to work, got an infection on one side, yet again in agony, but luckly after having a hot cup of tea, the infection burst out into my mouth, and spent the hour driving back to hospital, spitting pus out! But at least I didn't have to go back into surgery to clear out the infection. So had another week off work, more antibiotics. It all healed, back flying, and don't have to worry about them again!

[VH-MLE]

I had four removed under a GA approximately 12 years ago. I remember waking up in recovery and noticing that only 35 mins had elapsed since I was wheeled in until I woke up (sort of).

Back in my room the pain started to get quite bad after 2-3 hours and I asked the nurse for some panadeine forte. She told me the surgeon had said I could have panadeine clear (the weaker version that dissolve in water). Initially I was disappointed however they worked very well and took away 90% of any pain I experienced.

I was off work for 2-3 days from memory.

Personally, I would recommend a general anaesthetic rather than a local one.

Good luck.

VH-MLE

[Re-Heat]

Had a rotting, impacted one done recently - in the chair and under local. Quite pain-free - just stinging when eating for 2 days. Nothing to worry about.

Though the crunching and grinding is unnerving, local is far preferable to general in most circumstances, simply because of the risk and after-effects.

[Flyin'Dutch']

Local anaesthetic if you can (depends on circs of course and how many you need out and where; if on opposite sites and need doing at the same time you will require general anaesthetic)

Usually no big problem but if the ones in the top of your jaw are solidly fixed and the roof is thin you may get a sinus perforation.

For that reason prob good idea to mention to the max-fax or dentist that you fly so they check for airleaks.

[Shamrock274]

Some people will try to explain it by saying the worst case scenario.

Recovery should not take long. . A day or two to ge over niggling pain (pain is not bad and you get pain killers anyway)and just to get over the general anaesthetic

I work in an NHS hospital and i had mine removed by a mate during my lunch break under local anaesthetic. . continued work afterwards. no days off.

all the best

[PGA]

Had one surgically removed under local in may because the dentist couldn't get it out. 1 st day mild pain, 2nd day no pain but still trouble eating, 3rd day back in the air, was a non event really.

[Speed bird 002]

I had my 2 wisdom teeth out on 18th of this month so last week. I wasnt under anesthetic. I had them out with just a little injection. It went so bad that they had to tell patients to come back later because I was screaming...yes screaming!

How did they remove my teeth?......the lady used a screw driver and forced the teeth to its left and right. I am telling you it was my worst experience.

Unfortunately, my bottom right wisdom tooth was very badly damaged, and had to be taken out in pieces....my god did i feel shocked and scared. I was shiverring so badly that I was told to relax about 50 times during the process. It seemed a whole year but only lasted around 30-40mins.

I have learnt that I will next time be under anasthetic because I am seriously scared of extractions now and just dont want to remember anything. When people find out I had them out with just an injection that makes your gums numb, they call me a fool and I dont blame them.

My advice, make sure your knocked out!....I still havnt fully recovered, a bit of pain here and there but thats becase the lower bottom one is infected. Using amoxicillin 250mg 3xs a days.

Expect alot of blood on the 1st day, also expect to eat nothing but soft food for atleast 2 days....nothing more than soup on 1st day.....funny enough I had the practice manager telling me to eat ice cream to stop the bleading and numb the gums...and it does work.

Also, make sure u dont spit the blood out because little pressures around the mouth can open the wound up and cause further blood leaks.

Most of all, enjoy the experience (under anasthectic remember!)

[PGA]

Now is that the difference between going private and the NHS

[Ejector]

Ask the dentist, I hear the top ones are much easier for them to get out, but the bottom ones are, well, ,,,,good luck. May be worth doing the top ones first, then do the other two later, so you have less impact,,,, but what do I know!}pardon the pun}