I just set up the appointment to have mine cut out on Friday... This will be the first time I've ever been put under or, for that case, the first time I've ever had surgery.

We all read Johngs's thread on having his removed but, does anyone have any good advice? None of this hokey-pokey stuff but, actual legitimate advice?

I'd have to admit, I'm a little nervous about this...

RP

 

Each case is different, rock. It is a surgury and things can go wrong... the worst thing that can happen is you leave with a 'numb' lower jaw for awhile/rest of your life. You see, as the roots grown down, they actually form a little hook into your jaw-bone. As a cruel joke, God placed a nerve right next to this point. If your Dr. gets a little crazy and hits that nerve, well... some folks walk away with a numb jaw forever. Before you start to panic, don't. The odds are in your favor.

The second (and more likely) thing that can happen is the dredded 'dry socket'. This happens when your Dr. doesn't pack your gums right or you mess around with the packing. It hurts like a 'mo 'fo for a few days/week, then goes away. No biggie, just pop the pills the Dr. gives out.

Only your Dr. will be able to tell you what your teeth look like (or post your x-rays). For the most part, it's about 15 minutes per tooth to yank. Don't eat breakfast that morning or they won't put you under. I decided to eat. Doh. 15mins per tooth, then over an HOUR for the last one!! Stupit roots. That tooth was a stubborn little bastard. But all ended well, and no numb jaw. Just dry socket!

You'll be fine big guy!

EDIT: After read my post, it sounded a little hard. But its the truth. Even if all goes wrong its not that bad. And the odds are so far in your favor its not even funny... unless your going to a hack Dr... but you know better than that. Anywho, there really is no advise other than don't eat the day of surgery. And listen (and remember) what the doc tells you about after-care. Then DO it.

 

Take a driver!

Don't be nervous, it's actually kinda fun! You won't feel a thing until after they're done, and even then, it's not so bad.

Oh yeah, send me whatever pills you don't eat.

 

I was interesting to hear your teeth crack when the doc yanks the crap out of 'em!!! You don't feel it, but you can hear it!! I got lotsa little pills from mine, I'll ship 'em down to you. Hopefully the dogs at the post office won't get them first!

 

If you're a smoker what ever you do don't smoke!!! I did and had dry socket on two of the holes they removed the teeth and it was no picnic for sure. Other then that smooth sailing. Go with the gas it was worth the extra 40 bucks. I also had head phones so I couldn't hear a thing. Piece of cake!

 

I didn't feel/hear a thing during mine. I was O.U.T. - OUT! I remember dreaming about a waterslide and when I woke up I asked to see my teeth. He said he broke them pulling them out.

Bastard. I wanted to put them in a jar on my mantle next to my dogs nuts.

I forgot what they gave me...percocet maybe? Dang postal employees better not mess with the goods!

 

Note to self - No moderator on Friday, wreak havoc in Forums.

 

Thats got to be an interesting conversation piece..

 

The rest of us will still be here.

 

TUFF FORD will set you up with an appointment on Friday so you can look at your own set.

(Another moderator gone, nothing can stop me now.)

 

STEVE!, Raoul is being rambunctious again!

 

Your cries are in vain.
I happened to know that Steve is away getting a brain transplant this week.

 

Mine went pretty well.

I went in, my dad came with me to drive me home, and I only had to wait about 5-10 minutes (your mileage may vary).

I went into the room, and within another 10 minutes they started giving me the gas. Hehe, that was interesting. It took me a few minutes to start to feel it, but after about 5 minutes I started to feel a little cold, and you feel a sort of tingling all over you. After about 10 minutes, its hard not to laugh. I was all good, then the lady said something about "is that laughing gas starting to work yet?" and I said "yeah" because you cant stop smiling. Then I started to think "I guess it is true why they call it laughing gas" and I started to kind of laugh. The two nurses in the room were talking and everything just kind of echoes. It's real "peaceful". I think the gas was my favorite part :P

Not long after, the doc came in, said "Hi, how are you" and I told him I was good. At this point you think about moving your head to look and see what they are doing, but you just never get around to it. They put the IV in, and before long you are awake.

You'll be pretty groggy for most of the rest of the day (My appointment was at 1PM). I think I was home by 3-something, and I grabbed a pop-sickle and fell asleep on my bed before I even got it finished (oops). Woke back up at like 8 and found my little mess :P

Honestly the pain is not bad at all. The worst part is the stitches just because food tends to get kind of stuck in them. I've been eating alot of chicken noodle soup, ice cream, soft foods that dont require chewing, etc.

I was on 3 meds: medrol (I think thats what it was), penecillin, and hydroco-something (substituted for vicodin by my pharmacy).

The drugs havent really had any side effects on me...I've been out and about, driving around, goin out with friends (no drinking of course). No hallucinations, dizziness, etc. In the mornings my jaw is a little sore, but it goes away after I take the medicine. In the past few days some of my molars have been a little irritant as well, but nothing bad.

I go in for my checkup at 1:00 today, I hope they remove the stitches (although I think a few of them have come out while brushing my teeth...) and I can preeety much each normally. Still cant quite open my mouth all the way (due to the stitches) and I havent tried eating crunchy stuff too much...it still gets stuck back there.

Its no sweat. Maybe you'll have more fun with the meds than I did :P

I forgot to ask to see my teeth :o

 

Thanks folks (minus Raoul - don't you have a goat to round up somewhere? )

I'm dreading it and I'm sure I'll be nervous up until when they put me under.

Someone mentioned an IV.... is that the only way that they'll put you under?

Pros/Cons gas?

RP

 

Hi!

I just had them removed from my left side at 8am this morning.
dzervit explained it perfectly about the possible complications.
They hook back pretty far and require skill and a good hand (and a bit of luck) to get them out without breaking the tooth or ripping the root.

My dentist was pretty cool, first he was going to send me to a specialist to do it because he thought the job was a little out of his league.
After he checked the X-rays again, he decided to do it after all.

They were stubborn little bastards to get out, I thought he was gonna put his shoe against my chin to give him more leverage.

They came out nice and clean, and I just took the cotton batting out of my mouth.
Feels weird having the big crater there.
These Tylenol 4's come in real handy!!

Are you putting them under your pillow rockpick? I was thinking we can put yours and mine together and sell them on ebay (make them into a necklace or earrings)

Good luck buddy, it will be fine, I went to the dealership when I finished the procedure and had my oil changed and my rad flushed. (I just got home actually)

Later man, good luck!