dangers of wisdom tooth removal?

[muse]

I have one wisdom tooth that gets infected repeatedly, every couple of months. Despite being against antibiotics I've resorted to them a couple of times. My UK dentists are very against taking it out unless it gets much worse. They apparently don't believe wisdom tooth removal is "worth the risks" involved, and today were telling me that there's a very slight chance of nerve damage and being left with numbness in jaw and chin. That would be BAD for me since I'm a trumpet player.

I could push it and get the thing taken out if I really wanted to. We're moving back to the US in April and I have a feeling a US dentist would just rip the thing out, right? And would that cost a huge amount? (no dental insurance)

Anyone ever heard of these risks? What are the pros and cons of having it removed?

TIA!

[supercrunch]

I am not sure about the technical pros and cons...but I had my wisdom teeth taken out a little over 2 years ago. All 4 were impacted.

I was scared to death...but the procedure was pretty simple. They sedated me and next thing I knew I was in recovery (and completely nutty...apparently I kept sticking my tounge out at my dd and telling her it was numb. My dh got a big kick out of that, lol).

I had been told by the oral surgeon that if they kept getting infected that the infection could spread into my jaw and damage the bone. Yikes!!
So I decided that instead of popping ibuprofen for a few days in a row whenever they would bug me...that I'd just go ahead and get it over with.

I was really sore for a few days, and my face was huge and swollen for 4-5 days...but it wasn't awful and I'd do it again if I had to. I had all 4 taken out at once, so I am guessing that 1 wouldn't be that bad.

[muse]

Originally Posted by grace474

I had been told by the oral surgeon that if they kept getting infected that the infection could spread into my jaw and damage the bone. Yikes!!

Yikes, indeed!

Funny they never mentioned this. I'm wondering how much they're reluctant to do it because it costs the National Health Service (free dental care for a yr after giving birth here). Hmm.

Amyone know what it would cost in the US?

[SleeplessMommy]

There are nerves controlling the lips that are very close to the roots of the wisdom teeth (the lower ones I think.) THe position of both nerves and molar roots can vary between individuals. So if you have "bad luck", they pull the teeth and that severs the nerves to the lower lip.

For a non-musician, if is inconvenient. For a musician, it could be career-ending. From the x-rays, they can tell (sometimes) if the nerves may be involved. I would suggest a 2nd opinion. And ask if they can do the root canal procedure instead? Ask at your local music college for a dentist who can explain the risks.

I personally has some minor tingling for a month or two after mine were pulled. Then it got better!