I am 43 and in good health. I have 2 impacted wisdom teeth on my left side and am beginning to have some jaw discomfort and some sinus issues. I have had one consultation with an OS (referred by my dentist who is great but the OS was pretty matter of fact about the situation and did not make me feel comfortable either way). I was wondering if you could give me some recommendations on some OS in the greater Phoenix area whom you would deem “great all around, hence their experience, bedside manner of understanding and making the patient feel good about their decision and what he recomments, etc….” I have never had any surgeries and am quite concerned about any permanent nerve damage. Thank you so much.
Lynnette in Phoenix.
Lynnette,
I really don’t have any comparative information about oral surgeons in the Phoenix area. A practicing dentist in Phoenix would have more information and insight and have heard more about this.
I can tell you that, in order to protect themselves legally, oral surgeons will tend to overstate the risks involved in the surgery. If they don’t, and something goes wrong, patients will sue their pants off. That’s just the world we live in. They’re protecting themselves.
If there is any reasonable chance of your wisdom teeth on your right side of ever bothering you, and if your oral surgeon agrees that they would be better to come out, I would have them out at the same time. The healing time is the same, and the discomfort is about the same, whether you have two out or four. If it were me, I’d get them all out and be done with it.
Meanwhile, tell all the teenagers you know and parents of teenagers to have these wisdom teeth extracted before they’re 25. When the patient is under 25, the incidence of complications is much much less.
Dr. Hall
We thank our advertisers who help fund this site. |
|
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.