Oral surgeon vs. steve-in-kville

Get yourself tylenol laced with codone, works wonders, don't get addicted.
 
I had all of mine taken out when I was in the Air Force. A couple of them had begun to chip under pressure of too little room. Great dentist. He even hit a problem when one split up coming out, but he pulled the splinters out cleanly. I pretty much healed in two days, but even that night, it was only a very slight ache.

Just a little Novocain. I hate anesthesia and had most regular dentistry done without it. I wouldn't take any pain meds, never even filled the prescription.

One problem you should be aware of with any extraction -- and make sure the dentist goes over it with you -- is how to care for the socket and when you'll know it has healed over.

No matter how quickly the pain goes away and how easy it seems to go back to solid food, you don't want to push food into it.
 
I had 3 of them out at one time, the other one having been removed years before. I went to the oral surgeon from my office and returned to work as soon as he was done taking them out. It was a waste going back to work because all I did was sit at my desk resting my head on my hand.

I would plan on taking at least a day off if you do office work where you don't have to talk on the phone and at least 2 or 3 days off otherwise, depending on your work and how easy (or how hard) the surgery goes.
 
After the dentist removed the 4 teeth it didn't seem like much had happened. The biggest inconvenience was not being able to eat as I pleased. I didn't take the pain meds either, maybe some Tylenol, but not even sure about that. I know I rested on the sofa for about a day and ate lots of cold shakes. I'm trying to remember if putting ice on the face was the thing that helped, or it was just the cold drinks.

I think that it may depend on how much digging and messing around they have to do. Sometimes work can take your mind off not being able to eat?:)

Good luck and stay home if your body tells you to!!
 
Had a problem w/ a couple on 1 side- the bottom one was too soft & went south really quickly & gave me a bad infection. The top one had a freakishly long root that was messing w/ my sinuses so they got me stabilzed w/ antibiotics & put me out. Was back up & running 100% in about 72 hrs. The 1st 24 hrs sucked though.
 
I had mine done the day after I graduated from High School (70s). In on Friday, Used a general, Started a new job on Tuesday. Toughest part was keeping the holes clean (don't eat carrots). I did get some really good pills that kept things fairly mello, so all was not lost. Steven
 
I worked of an Oral Surgeon for 4 years when I was younger.

From what I saw, it depends upon the skill of the person working on you including the assistant who is suctioning, the degree of impaction, thickness of the jawbone, and the individual's pain threshold.

When I had mine out I was out (general) for 2.75 hours. None of the wisdom teeth were in less than 4 chiseled pieces.

I went out that same night (although was spitting a little blood). GF and I went to a movie. Other than a little soreness there were no problems, but I don't think I even got a kiss that night. :D.

Follow the instructions they give you on keeping the sockets clean. Don't cheat. It does hurt a little to clean them out a few times a day, but not near as much as it hurts if you have to deal with an infection or dry socket. You will find yourself having to go back every few days and have that bone socket treated with medication and packed with dressings. Try to rinse with warm salt water as often as possible too, until things heal up.
 
I had all 4 wisdom teeth out at once (complete bony impactions), local anesthetic, quick, no pain during or after, no bleeding, no dry sockets. They gave me a big bottle of vicodin which I didn't even need (Tylenol 3 is pretty useless if you have pain)

I think the skill of the surgeon has a lot to do with it.
 
The most important thing after surgery is DO NOT dislodge the socket clot. You can keep the area generally clean by swishing salt water around it but DO NOT wash the clot out of the socket or you will have a dry socket. Also be sure not to dislodge it by spitting forcefully or by sucking on drinking straws.
 
tankcat said:
and wth are you guys talking about? He obviously has impacted wisdom teeth, which is very dangerous. It is a serious surgery, just like getting surgery on your eyes or something. you wouldn't go back to work in 3 days after that would you.
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Please. I had impacted wisdom teeth. Had a local (Ft Devens 1986 or 87). They had to cut the gums and chisel them out. It took me out one day. It it were dangerous surgery you would have to go to a hospital to have it done. Not in the dentists office.:rolleyes:

But with this said everyone is different. We all have different pain tolerances and healing abilities. But unless you work with your mouth or have some rare complication...I suspect a week out of work is a little much. There are always the exceptions. But take note you'll find more people agree its nothing and only a day off then you will find people talking a week out and end of the world doom and gloom. Wonder why that is? Are we all lying or is it the painful/week out is a rare occurence?


Paul
 
pcnorton said:
Please. I had impacted wisdom teeth. Had a local (Ft Devens 1986 or 87). They had to cut the gums and chisel them out. It took me out one day. It it were dangerous surgery you would have to go to a hospital to have it done. Not in the dentists office.:rolleyes:

But with this said everyone is different. We all have different pain tolerances and healing abilities. But unless you work with your mouth or have some rare complication...I suspect a week out of work is a little much. There are always the exceptions. But take note you'll find more people agree its nothing and only a day off then you will find people talking a week out and end of the world doom and gloom. Wonder why that is? Are we all lying or is it the painful/week out is a rare occurence?


Paul
Click to expand...

I suspect that those, like myself, who have paid sick leave look at the circumstances (surgery, medical documentation, debilitating regimen of pain medications) and the first thing we think is "Week off with pay!!!!!" :D
 
mycroftt said:
I suspect that those, like myself, who have paid sick leave look at the circumstances (surgery, medical documentation, debilitating regimen of pain medications) and the first thing we think is "Week off with pay!!!!!" :D
Click to expand...

Exactly...secondary gain.

Paul
 
Had one minor impaction out in college, local anesthetic 'cause I had to work that afternoon. I was stocking at a big grocery store and got called up to cashier for the evening. My jaw KILLED and I warned the manager that I was a bit dizzy on the pain meds, but they didn't care. My drawer was off by over $20! Went home and slept for 12 hours, back to school the following day.

The other three came out four years later. I developed a nasty "infection" in my mouth and the Dr. said it was oral herpes, one big giant cold sore all over my gums, mouth, tongue, palette, and throat. (couldn't chew, swallow, or even hold an ice-cube in my mouth for the pain!) He saw some swelling around the back of my jaw and suggested I see an oral surgeon. The surgeon took one look, and said that my severely impacting wisdom teeth had aggravated the infection and had to come out NOW!!! They knocked me out for the surgery and the infection began to decrease that evening! By morning, I was able to eat softer foods and had a cheeseburger for dinner. Work the next day with no problems.

Plan on going back to work on Monday, but keep the option for a day or two if needed.

J-
 
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