Wisdom Teeth

USAFAin2015

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
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My dentist recently told me my wisdom teeth need to come out. Do I have to update my Medical history? Or should i just skip the hassle (if there is any), wait and have it done at the academy?
 
I would definitely get your wisdom teeth taken out now. Yes; you could wait and have the air force do it, but it doesn't cost that much. Plus; you could be laid up a little while after having it done. You don't want to have issues during BCT or even your first semester if by chance you have issues and really need them pulled out. Now is a great time to do it. DON'T WAIT until May/June. Sometimes there's complications. "Dry sockets, infection, etc...". Do it now.

As far as updating medical or sending information, you don't have to if there are no complications. My son had his done a few months before BCT. We called the ALO, admissions, counselors, and DODMRB. They have no expectation that individuals are going to stop going to the dentist or doctor visits simply because they have an appointment. You still have day to day activities. Basically; if it's routine and there's no complications, there is nothing for you to report to anyone. Remember; there is nothing special about a wisdom tooth compared to any other tooth in your mouth. I had all 4 of mine removed with local novocain. Just have it done. If you're still "NORMAL" and didn't go into a coma, shock, etc... (Just kidding); then there's nothing to tell the academy about or to update. And FWIW: The academy loves when you get your wisdom teeth taken out PRIOR to coming in. That's one less issue they have to deal with or PAY FOR!!!!

On a side note for those reading this: NEVER... Let me repeat, NEVER... EVER.... Get Lasik surgery done PRIOR to going to the academy. It will be an automatic (In most cases), DISQUALIFICATION to the academy. If you need that type of surgery, the academy will pay and allow you to have PRK surgery. It's different, but when you consider flying, g-forces, etc... Lasik is a no-no. Anyway; just wanted to throw that in there. But wisdom teeth. Have at it. Get them out. Nothing to report if there are no complications.
 
It's different, but when you consider flying, g-forces, etc... Lasik is a no-no.

Agreed on don't get eye surgery before going to the USAFA.

However, Lasik has been approved for all Air Force aviators since 5/21/2007. While they do not perform Lasik at the USAFA, they do perform it at the other AFB installations that perform laser surgery.

PRK is still the best solution though. Just more painful
 
My dentist recently told me my wisdom teeth need to come out. Do I have to update my Medical history? Or should i just skip the hassle (if there is any), wait and have it done at the academy?

What have you been told? Are they impacted? Are the projected to cause pain in the next year? If the expectation is a problem before Dec of this year, oust them. Otherwise, I would wait.

I had my wisdom teeth removed at USAFA. I was fine the next day (differs for everyone) and it was a none-issue for me.
 
I heard that you want to avoid having the Air Force remove your teeth because they won't give you anesthetics or something and it is just miserable. My sources weren't the most credible, but just something I would like to clarify...
 
No, the AF gives you the good stuff. I didn't feel anything until about 6 hours after my surgery. The person who drove me back to the dorms also said I was restarting the same conversation every 45 seconds. I checked my e-mail 4 hours after I got back, but realized I had already seen them all (latest one received 3 hours after my appointment time :confused:)...
 
No, the AF gives you the good stuff. I didn't feel anything until about 6 hours after my surgery. The person who drove me back to the dorms also said I was restarting the same conversation every 45 seconds. I checked my e-mail 4 hours after I got back, but realized I had already seen them all (latest one received 3 hours after my appointment time :confused:)...

Too funny. I remember when i broke my nose. Getting my nose set was probably one of the 'Happiest" times of my life. Well, for about a couple hours until the numbness went away. LOL!!! "I wonder if that was the ONLY time I was "HAPPY" in the military. Hee hee.

Bandet, that's for the info. I did not know that lasik had been approved for flying jobs. I do believe that getting lasik prior to BCT may still lead to a disqualification.
 
i had my wisdom teeth removed my freshman year at USAFA. everything went fine, and my roommates loved it because we got our door closed for 3 days while i "recovered". i went to the classes i wanted to the next day. so if you want, do it now, but don't do it because you're scared it won't be done right or you won't be taken care of (the special food they give you for it was a great change from Mitch's. lol)
 
I do believe that getting lasik prior to BCT may still lead to a disqualification

I too think this is the case, but not 100% sure.

What I also know is that once you are at USAFA, you cannot get laser surgery anywhere else outside of USAFA. What I mean is if you decide you want to get it done, and pay for it because USAFA won't do it under the pilot program. You cannot do it. I know because we tried that too as a solution.
That is a major difference from the regular AF. Once commissioned you could actually get it done wherever you wanted to. Although by then, most everyone can get it done under the warfighter program for free anyway.
 
My son was supposed to have his wisdom teeth removed last month at USAFA but they attempted to do the procedure with conscious sedation (valium) and he had a VERY bad reaction. They tried twice to no avail. He is now having them removed tomorrow (Feb. 2) at the base hospital under general anesthesia. We are hoping for a speedy recovery. Besides needing to reschedule, the most difficult thing has been coordinating rides/drivers with class schedules.
 
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