remove wisdom teeth?

C

cougar64

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The academy said it is recommended that we have our wisdom teeth removed before attending I-day, because having it removed while at the academy will take cadets out of activities for awhile.

Is it too close to I-day for me have them removed? I have heard terrible tales of students having them removed close to inprocessing and then being medically turned away for dry sockets.

I am thinking of just having them removed while at the academy to avoid any medical problems, and because I do not currently have dental coverage, so it may cost a pretty penny.
 
The air force has been trying to rip my wisdom teeth out of my head for 2 years now. If they don't hurt...don't bother.
 
Unless your personal dentist/orthodontist recommends it due to impacted teeth, I'd wait until the academy does it for you. I had mine removed as a cadet and I did not lose any days of school or work. Most people lose a day at worst.
 
Wisdom Teeth

DD had her 5 wisdom teeth removed while still in high school. She was out of it for 3 days. If you can afford it financially and you have multiple wisdom teeth, I would recommed doing it before BCT (but don't wait until the last minute). The comforts of home are much better than a cadet dorm room. That said, your dentist is probably the best person to give advice.
 
DS has two and he chose to wait. Only one is within reach at this point in time and I offered to get that one removed. He was pretty adamant about just having it done one time. They are both uppers. My rationale was that he would at least be able to chew on one side. I am trying to let him take care of himself and make those kind of decisions.:rolleyes:
 
Wisdom teeth are different for a lot of people. I had all 4 wisdom teeth out in one day and I had no pain, was fully alert, and ready to go the next day. I had a hard time eating of course, but that lasted about a week and a half to two weeks. I have a friend who had her wisdom teeth out a month ago and she's still recovering, because her jaw locked up from the removal process. Pain lasted a full week for her. Now she can eat, and she's not in pain, but she can't fully open her mouth. :thumbdown: I don't know if I would before I-day. I'd just wait until you were there.
 
TwinA was told "Wisdom Teeth Must Come Out" and get it done before BCT. He waited. Now, dentist says, "No need for these puppies to come out." (verbatim) So, he's got four wisdom teeth, all nicely erupted, straight, etc.

TwinB wasn't told anything, so did nothing, and his are also fine.

Both going on to flight school so didn't affect their AF careers. (yet)
 
I am having my DS's teeth xrayed to check to make sure his wisdom teeth are not going to disqualify him. The Appointee Handbook says:

Examples of dental conditions that may prevent you from
performing optimally include (1) the presence of wisdom
teeth, either erupted or impacted, that cannot be maintained in
a state of health, (2) cavities that may become emergent
problems if not restored immediately, or (3) active orthodontic
appliances (braces).

So I take this as meaning that wisdom teeth are OK, as long as there isn't a problem with them. I will take the dentist's advice. If they have to come out, then so be it, but I would rather not just remove them because they exist.
 
Our daughter was assessed before going to USAFA and three oral surgeons found no reason at that time to remove wisdom teeth. This year, second class year, the Academy required her to have two wisdom teeth removed. Unfortunately, she ended up with a massive infection -- was in and out of the clinic, on intravenous IV's and had to have two surgeries under anesthesia. Missed the better part of three weeks of classes. I don't think anyone can predict what will happen -- differs for each person. I just know that in her case the principal oral surgeons in our town would not take out the wisdom teeth before she left for the academy because there was no medical reason to do so at that time.
 
But if your oral surgeon recommends they be removed even if it will be sometime in near future, do it. It is sooooooo much easier at home then disrupting time at USAFA. Not only recovery but training and classes etc. My DS had his removed and it was the best thing for him and now nothing to worry about at USAFA. His oral surgeon did recommend it though.
 
ds just had his out Thursday. Dentist has been on us for a year for him to do it so we wanted to be sure they were done well before IDay. he didn't even swell and was at school the next day.
 
Having them out at home is definitely more appealing, but due to the unpredictability of the outcome, I would wait until I got to the Academy. If the surgery were to have any complications it could result in a medical DQ and who wants to risk that? :eek:
 
LOTS of cadets get it done here. Honestly as long as you don't do it freshman year, doing it at USAFA is fine. Teachers don't expect you to come to class or anything so you can have the time you need to recover. I waited and they said I do not need mine out at all.
 
Update

Dentist looked at DS's wisdom teeth today. All four are "impacted," but what that means is they are grown in, but haven't broken through the gums yet. They are not bothering DS at all. Dentist said there is no reason to take them out, and she expects them to come in with no problem. She even offered to write a letter stating this for DS to hand carry with xrays of the wisdom teeth included. (Xrays might not be digitally compatible, but they can put them up to a light box the old-fashioned way.)

DS had braces (off now for 2 years), but otherwise, his teeth are perfect -- not one cavity even. It seems to me that Academy personnel are concerned about cadets missing any time out of BCT or the 4th class year/academics due to serious dental problems. If the dentist does not see any problem now and doesn't predict any, I don't see the need for surgery, especially this close to I Day. DS's wisdom teeth can be "maintained in a state of health" and will not cause him to miss any training. It would be unnecessary surgery.

The ONLY reason we would consider taking them out is if they would cause his other teeth to shift because there wouldn't be room for all those teeth. If we knew this was an issue a year (or even 6 months ago), it would be different. But this close to I Day, with wisdom teeth that are not causing any problems, we are opting to keep them in. Too much going on with final exams, a heavy PT schedule, end of HS activities like the prom, graduation, and other social functions.
 
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