Wisdom Teeth

Capri120

Capri120

DH USAFA '79, DD USAFA '20
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2016
Messages
1,344
I have seen other inquiries on the different academy threads concerning wisdom teeth. Some responses have been - if you have not had them removed yet, don't risk complications of having them removed this close to I-day and that the appointee will have to notify immediately DoDMERB and the Academy if you have them removed. I have also read in the USAFA "Instructions to Appointees", that it is recommended to have them removed prior to arrival at BCT, especially if you are interested in or going into aviation.
I currently have a tentative appointment to have my DD's wisdom teeth removed in May, but am now rethinking this a bit.
Who would be best to contact to ask these questions - her ALO? Admissions' Officer? Other?
Can anyone in this forum offer advise based on experience or USAFA guidelines?
 
It says to get them removed 6-8 weeks before BCT. I am having mine removed later this month.
 
I would contact your AOL and ask how much time will the SA requrire after the surgery. And what is the process you would have to go through, notify dodmerb etc
 
This is a very timely topic considering DS has an appointment for wisdom teeth surgery tomorrow. He's currently waiting to see if he's been appointed and I didn't even consider that DODMERB would have to be notified.
 
According to Instructions to Appointees 2019:
"The Academy staff expects that you will arrive at the Academy with no potentially disqualifying dental conditions. Examples of dental conditions that may prevent you from performing optimally include (1) the presence of impacted or erupted wisdom teeth 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). Active orthodontic appliances are a disqualifying condition for Academy admission. All orthodontic treatment must be completed, devices removed, and retainers (if indicated) in place prior to entering the Academy. Don‘t forget to bring your retainers with you to the Academy! Wisdom teeth may cause lost academic time and possible delays in pilot qualification for cadets. It is highly encouraged for you to visit your family dentist for a thorough dental examination, paying particular attention to the above-mentioned concerns. Correction of all dental defects and removal of wisdom teeth, when indicated, before arriving at the Academy will maximize your dental health, prevent lost academic time, minimize any dental conditions affecting pilot qualifications and go a long way toward ensuring your success as an Air Force cadet. If your civilian dentist has recommended you have your wisdom teeth removed, we strongly suggest you follow their advice. However, it would be best to have at least 8 weeks of healing between when the surgery is completed and when you arrive at the Academy."
 
CivilAirPatrolCadet said:
According to Instructions to Appointees 2019:
"The Academy staff expects that you will arrive at the Academy with no potentially disqualifying dental conditions. Examples of dental conditions that may prevent you from performing optimally include (1) the presence of impacted or erupted wisdom teeth 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). Active orthodontic appliances are a disqualifying condition for Academy admission. All orthodontic treatment must be completed, devices removed, and retainers (if indicated) in place prior to entering the Academy. Don‘t forget to bring your retainers with you to the Academy! Wisdom teeth may cause lost academic time and possible delays in pilot qualification for cadets. It is highly encouraged for you to visit your family dentist for a thorough dental examination, paying particular attention to the above-mentioned concerns. Correction of all dental defects and removal of wisdom teeth, when indicated, before arriving at the Academy will maximize your dental health, prevent lost academic time, minimize any dental conditions affecting pilot qualifications and go a long way toward ensuring your success as an Air Force cadet. If your civilian dentist has recommended you have your wisdom teeth removed, we strongly suggest you follow their advice. However, it would be best to have at least 8 weeks of healing between when the surgery is completed and when you arrive at the Academy."
Click to expand...

Thanks much, great info!
 
My wisdom teeth will probably not have to be removed until after BCT or most likely even after my first year at the academy. Is it still a problem if it doesn't interfere with BCT, but I would still be at the academy when they need to be removed?
 
Why not remove them now? I had mine removed Monday- today I'm 100% back to all my physical activities and actually went back to school the same day (for 1 class).
 
CivilAirPatrolCadet said:
........removal of wisdom teeth, when indicated
Click to expand...

There is no requirement to have HEALTHY teeth removed as part of the application process. This topic gets asked every year. I think many people miss out on the "WHEN INDICATED" part.

It is always better to refer to the current/official SA instructions on such subjects rather then older forum posts which may be either outdated/incorrect or simply someone's opinion.
 
Wisdom teeth are rarely removed because they need to be at the time, but rather because the consensus opinion of medical professionals is that they can cause problems later in life, and the best time to remove them is at a younger age, before the roots get too deep. It just happens that SA candidates and appointees are at that age. Most figure that there is a window to have them removed, so that it won't compromise the start of the academy life.

As it happens, my sons wisdome teeth are about to be removed this morning. We wanted to get it done between swim season and baseball season, which will take him almost to R day at WP.

There are enough other things to wory about once he starts his Academy life. Don't want to use part of Christmas or summer leave to get teeth pulled.
 
Yes, I have read over and over the instructions to appointees - 2019; that is why I asked the question. However, I have seen nothing in USAFA info or instructions that say DoDMERB must be notified. So, I think we will press on with wisdom teeth removal since one has just started to come through. For most of us, it is difficult to maintain proper care of these teeth since they are so far back in the mouth.
Thanks to everyone for the posts.
 
When my oral surgeon showed me my CT scan, it was very clear why removing early is best. There is a nerve that runs across the jaw below the teeth. As the roots grow they can wrap around and grow below this nerve. They are very easy to remove as "buds" before they reach below the nerve and once they grow below, there is problems that can happen like numbness in the face which can be permanent plus a difficult extraction, more pain, etc. I'm 100% and my surgery was Monday. I took 1 Aleve total the first day.
 
And they WILL eventually need to be taken out, unless you want your teeth crowded and orthodontics ruined. My Dad is a perfect example of this, haha. May as well take them out when it's easy to get them out and you have Mom around to make you Vitamix smoothies.
 
Unless they are currently causing problems, there is no requirement to have them removed now.
USAFA's dental shop will likely schedule you for surgery at some point, if they think they might become a problem in the future.
 
The AFA seniors are being scheduled for their wisdom teeth removal right now. DS's teeth are up to bat. Our DD (non AFA student) is a dental student in her 3rd year. Last night at dinner, she explained why. The bottom is it's a smart move to get them removed early. As a 1st degree, our uncle (Sam) is paying for it.;)
 
I got mine removed with ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM at all during this past November of my third class year. I knew I needed to have them removed at some point in my USAFA career, but didn't want to have to worry about it (or pay for it) before I came to USAFA. Once they started bothering me here, I called the oral surgery clinic, had an evaluation within 4 days, and had them removed about 2 weeks later.

You can get them removed if you want to before coming here, or you can get them removed while you're here. Absolutely no difference at all.
 
And, as others have stated, although MOST will eventually need to have them removed, not ALL will. That is even true of pilots. My DS - currently in pilot training - still has his. (I still have mine too - but I'm not a pilot.) Our home dentist didn't recommend removal of them and neither has the AF. Apparently our mouths are large enough to handle them!:D (My younger son, however, did need his removed.)
 
Not everyone needs to have them removed. I was once worried about getting my wisdom teeth removed, but after consulting the Academy dentist, they said that my mouth is big enough to hold my wisdom teeth and that they are coming in straight without abnormalities. Basically they told me, that as long as they don't bother me, I have no need to get them removed.

All medical advice should be tailored to you and your situation. If your dentist doesn't see it as an issue, then there is no reason to risk the complications of surgery.
 
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