What to do about wisdom teeth?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

My wisdom teeth are coming in, and I was thinking I should probably go to the dentist to get them checked out. I don't think they are coming in straight. The rest of my teeth are nice and straight, and I would like to keep them that way. I've definitely got at least three wisdom teeth. The two on the top have come through quite a bit, and I can tell one of the lower ones is starting to come through my gums. Chances are that there's probably a fourth one waiting to pop out any time now too.

My brother had his wisdom teeth removed a few months ago. He's 20 and in college, so he was still covered by my dad's dental insurance. I, on the other hand, would have to pay for all dental work out of pocket. I'm 25, which is too old to be covered by my father's insurance. I don't have any dental insurance of my own. I was thinking about trying one of those discount plans, like AmeriPlan, to hopefully get some discounts on dental work. Has anyone here tried a plan like this or have one that they'd recommend?

[Demeter]

1. HI!

You can research dental discount plans on the internet...some are helpful, some are not. Look for the fee schedules. Some dentists can take out wisdom teeth in the office (be sure someone can drive you home). Some teeth are so badly impacted that general anesthesia is the better way to go--this means an oral surgeon (more money).

You may not need your teeth removed---I had all 4 of mine out because of the headaches and jaw pain they were causing. I had it done in the hospital because there was no way I was going to sit in a chair and be conscious for it. That way I got them all at once. Got a terrible strep throat from the tube from anethsisia, but that was 28 years ago, and I'm sure that dentistry has made some progress.

If you itemize, you might have a tax deduction for excess medical expenses, depending on what happens.

If you live anywhere near a dental school(like University of Michigan, say) you can be a patient in a training situation. It takes longer, as the teacher checks each step, but the cost saving can be significant. Get evaluated first--you may live forever with your wisdom teeth intact!

[Historic NY]

7. I still have one left....it has to come out soon..........if they are not.

causing you any pain then leave them be...I'm 48. I think the last one cost me about 300-500 to have removed no insurance.

[Maple]

2. Standard ploy

'oh your jaw isn't big enough for wisdom teeth, so we'll have to take them out'.....read $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I fell for it....went through a mess because of it.

No, human jaws aren't shrinking in size.

My son and daughter are fine, and skipped the 'removal' after I told them about this standard ploy.

One's in her thirties, the other his late twenties.

You do NOT need them removed.

[Blue Diadem]

3. Don't know about the insurance...but

I would get the teeth yanked... My teeth were straight as well..till I hit about 26 when my wisdom teeth started moving around. Now my whole top row has shifted and will cost a fortune to get fixed. I can't afford that so I just have to live with it.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. That's what I'm afriad will happen to mine too. n/t

[Blue Diadem]

6. Now they say that

I have a small mouth though. But my tooth next to my front one has popped out because there is no more room. I am hoping that when I become rich (HA) I will get the wisdom teeth removed and they will go back. I don't want to be old with braces.

[demosincebirth]

4. I still have mine and I'm over fifty.

the seems like the longer I have 'em in, the wiser I get

[jmm]

8. I got mine early

I was 12 when the top two grew in. The bottom two started growing at the same time but didn't stop until I was 15. My dentist warned my that they were growing in at an odd angle and that I might have problems but said it would be best to wait on having them removed because they might correct themselves when growing in. So for a year I went to the dentist every three months and luckily they straightened themselves out. If I were you I'd definitely see somebody about it but I wouldn't be in a rush to get them removed.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

11. Apparently, mine are coming in kind of late.

Most people seem to get them as teeenagers or in their early twenties. I'm 3 months shy of 26.

Yeah, I'm not in any rush to have my teeth pulled, but I would like to know for sure if they are positioned properly.

[Flaxbee]

9. My mom used to live near a dental school...

Loma Linda U. in SoCal had a good dental school and she got much of her dental work done there by one of the professors (unfortunatley his name was "Dr. Whacker"). But if you're near a university with a dental school, call them and ask if they have any plans/do any work (in exchange for students gettinig to peer into your mouth on occasion).

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

10. The only dental schools in Florida are in

Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale, and I live very far away from both of them.