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Dr.Katz, Dentist DDS
Category: Dental
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Experience: Dentist and Anesthesiologist for 33 years
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My bottom right wisdom tooth is about to break the surface,

Customer Question

My bottom right wisdom tooth is about to break the surface, and I am in AGONY. I haven't experienced mouth pain like this since my years in braces (yikes) and it's so...forgien to me. Do I NEED to go to a dentist to find out why it's hurting so much? Does it NEED to be pulled? I've never had a tooth pulled, I'm nervous about it. Someone told me if I can stand the pain of just letting it come through, it'll just be a new tooth, and that'll be the end of it. Is this true? Or MUST I see a professional to be sure it's not coming in crooked. Also, I smoke medicinally. Will that only irritate the problem, or until it comes through is smoking alright? Please advise, I'm miserable and in need of help.

Submitted: 12 months ago.
Category: Dental
Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

Welcome to Justanswer.I will do my best to answer your question.I am not a great typist,be patient and feel free to ask if anything is unclear.You might not like my answer but I'l give you some facts.Your jawbone stopped growing about 5 years ago,that means if you did not have enough room for the wisdom tooth to erupt then,you probably don't have enough room for it to erupt now.These wisdom teeth are called impacted because something is stopping them from coming in..either the tooth in front of it or your jaw bone which is not big enough.The gum around and on top of these teeth get inflammed and cause a pericornitis which is an infection around the tooth under the gum.These situations normally don't correct themselves and these teeth need to be extracted.Whoever told you this is just a tooth that is just going to erupt and that will be the end of it..is just........wrong.You need to be placed on an antibiotic and get to a dentist office soon.Some dentists extract wisdom teeth ,some refer them out to an oral surgeon.You do not need to worry,these extractions can be done painlessly while you are sleeping.You are not alone with this problem,this is a common occurrence with people that are your age and younger.It is the result of the jaw size evolving to a smaller one and the cranium size moving to a larger one.We just don't need all of these molars anymore.Some people are born with no wisdom teeth,some are born with all four.In the meantime,Advil 400mg every four hours alternating with 1000mg of tylenol can give some over the counter pain relief as well as rinsing with straight peroxide or salt water..1 teaspoon of kosher salt in a half of a glass of warm water.Make an appointment to see a dentist ASAP.Smoking isn't really going to help anything and does have some negative effects on the gums.If you have any further questions please ask.

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

so basically, since there's not enough room for the tooth to break the surface, it will just continue to inflame and swell until I have the whole tooth taken out? I don't have dental insurance, how on earth do people afford this?

Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

If you cannot afford to have all of the wisdom teeth removed..and you may not have to...you can at least have the one removed that is bothering you.Depending on how impacted they are..the prices will range from about $150 to $450 per tooth.If your parents have insurance..it covers you now until you are 26.The other option is to go to the dental school, their prices are usually lower.Here is where to start.Go to your dentist and have them take a panorex xray of your mouth.It will show all of the wisdom teeth and their position.From there,it can be decided what needs to be done and you can start on an antibiotic to keep th swelling under control.The teeth are part of your body..and things happen...its just one of the things that we have to deal with when we grow.

Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

I am sorry but I need to be honest with you about what your situation is.I cannot treat you,we can only give you information so that you will better informed about your situation.I cannot prescribe medication to you and I cannot give you an answer that is not true.I would appreciate it if you would reconsider your rating of my answer.We try to help patients the best we can..but we are not magicians.I am sorry that you are in such pain..but I have given you the facts of your situation.

Dr.Katz, Dentist DDS
Category: Dental
Positive Feedback: 98.6 %
Satisfied Customers: 1450
Experience: Dentist and Anesthesiologist for 33 years
Dr.Katz and other Dental Specialists are ready to help you
Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

Thank you ,I appreciate that..please let me know if I can give you any further information..I will check back with you in a couple of days to see how you are doing

Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

Are you getting any relief yet with your wisdom tooth Morgan? My daughter's name is Morgan too.

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

That's wonderful! It's a good, celtic name. It also means "morning" in German. little extra info for you, haha. anyway, the dentist can't see me until Tuesday, so I'm taking ibuprofene, three at a time every 6 hours to keep the swelling down. the pain has subsided a little in the immediate tooth area, but now the entire right side of my jaw/face is sore, almost like I took a punch there. I'm not eating much except for sherbert and soup. I hope they can just take it out. and I hope I can be asleep for it.

Expert:  Dr.Katz replied 12 months ago.

Most oral surgeons are trained in anesthesia and can put you to sleep for the surgery.I am sorry I have not been able to respond sooner..Terrible storms wiped out our electricity and internet access.I hope everything goes ok.

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