Removing Wisdom Teeth Prior to R-Day

Jwmiller6

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
122
Hello everyone,

Should I have my wisdom teeth removed prior to R-Day? They do not really bother me, but my dentist has advised that I get them removed. It's my understanding that this is not a requirement. It is just more of a recommendation, so I don't have to go through the process while I'm at the Academy.

Any input is appreciated!

Jwmiller6
 
If you have your wisdom teeth removed do it now - the closer you wait towards R-Day, the greater the chance that any issue will prevent you from starting.

No requirement to have your teeth pulled - though the dentist here may encourage you as well. If you have them, and they don't bother you and the dentist doesn't think its a real issue, just leave them in.
 
Thanks for the info!

My dentist can't get me in until May 16. Will this be too close to R-Day?
 
It's a lot easier to recuperate at home than at West Point! JMHO
 
Dodmerb states in the packet that you downloaded that they do not want elective surgery within 90 days of r day. Double check so you do not get Medically DQed. DD is going with hers still in her mouth.
 
Thanks for the info!

My dentist can't get me in until May 16. Will this be too close to R-Day?

How much do you trust your dentist? If something goes wrong during wisdom teeth extraction, you might be be able to report than lose your appointment. Appears that your wisdom teeth won't bother you in next several months. Unless your parents have a great dental insurance, there will be decent out of pocket cost.

I got my wisdom teeth extracted while I was a cadet. Yes, not nice as recuperate at home, but something I dealt with.

From the accpeted candidate instruction

"Please contact DoDMERB via phone (800) 841-2706 if your medical condition has significantly changed since your exam. Any changes to your medical condition (including surgery or injury) must be reported to DoDMERB and the Admissions Offi ce up to your day of arrival at West Point."

But

"The West Point Dental Activity (DENTAC) is staffed to provide cadets with
dental treatment in all disciplines of dentistry. However, prior to reporting to West Point, cadet candidates should ensure that all correctable dental disease is addressed, and treatment completed"

I am no dentis, but I don't think non-impacted wisdom teerh are "dental disease."
 
I just had my wisdom teeth removed. Mine were impacted so I had to get them out and my thought was better at home than at West Point. So, I had them out this Monday. But... I counted the days and that puts me at 76 days before R-Day. Are they going to penalize me for the 14 days?

Immediately after the surgery I felt fine. I went back into school. I have not taken any of the pain medication because I honestly feel no serious pain. It is uncomfortable and I am starving, but something I can definitely deal with. So, there are no problems and I did as recommended by West Point. I have my updated dental records for admissions and I am perfectly fine. I shouldn't worry, should I, about those 14 days?
 
Sorry for the Double Post:

My Mom said that the West Point Moms said that dental and getting your widsom teeth removed doesn't count within the 90 days. She said that so long as I don't get my chin done, butt transplant, or breast implants (darn), that I am fine. Right?

Note: I am a male - which makes the breast implant joke funny. Laugh.
 
If you read the letter from U.S. Army Dental Activity they do HIGHLY recommend that any wisdom teeth be removed at least 3-6 months prior to admissions to allow time for healing and to prevent any future problems...However, they do go on to say that they strongly recommend that all appropriate dental treatment be completed at last 30 days prior to reporting for R-Day. I wouldn't worry. You should be fine. They're just being very cautious and want to minimize any issues come R-Day so that you aren't sent home or have to spend time in treatment at the expense of your cadet training. I hope this information helps.
 
I did the surgery here at WP right after thanksgiving and had no issues - with 3 days of quarters (staying in my room) + the rest of the week without intense PT (I did go to boxing, but did not fight anyone, just shadow-boxed), I was all right by the next week, and even finished my boxing class (although I missed 2 days + 1 day of shadow boxing).

Just saying you will be all right if you do it here.
 
Thank you for all the responses!

After reading everything, I would prefer to wait to get them out. I don't want anything to go wrong and I don't want my parents to have to pay the thousands of dollars that it'll cost to get them removed. However, my dentist told me that they are impacted. Does this mean that they must be removed, even if they do not bother me? I'm slightly worried because he CANNOT get me in until May 16. He is a excellent dentist and I believe that there won't be any issues, but you can never be certain.
 
Thank you for all the responses!

After reading everything, I would prefer to wait to get them out. I don't want anything to go wrong and I don't want my parents to have to pay the thousands of dollars that it'll cost to get them removed. However, my dentist told me that they are impacted. Does this mean that they must be removed, even if they do not bother me? I'm slightly worried because he CANNOT get me in until May 16. He is a excellent dentist and I believe that there won't be any issues, but you can never be certain.

Ask for a referral to an oral surgeon.
 
The surgeon is able to take a panoramic X-ray of your jaw. It shows a two-dimensional view of a half-circle from ear to ear. Your wisdom teeth will be easily seen by you, so you can be able to make an informed decision based on their relationship to your other teeth. More importantly is the position of a nerve that is present. This nerve's position may complicate the surgery, and as such, impact on who operates on your mouth. BTW: I am having DD's taken out next month by the same oral surgeon who did DS's last week. I am more comfortable with someone I know as opposed to the unknown surgeons in CO.
 
Wisdom Bites

I would suggest you get it done ASAP.
We had our DS and younger brother's done in mid/early December. 6 /7 months prior to R-Day. They both fully revovered within a couple of weeks.

I believe its actually recommended..
Also, Beats getting them done at the academy and recovering in a dorm all by yourself without moms chicken soup and TLC :smile:

Good luck

GO ARMY!!
 
I recommend getting them done while at West Point. It will be free and you can do it anytime during the 4 years. If recovering home is an issue, get it done prior to Summer Leave or another extended break. I got it done as a cadet and after a week was back to normal. The chance of any complications isn't worth risking the appointment. You also don't want to have deal with having clean the holes while in the field. It could get very annoying and increase your chances of infection.

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
From USMA website

Question: Should I get my wisdom teeth removed before CBT (beast)

If a dentist recommends removal, get the teeth removed. If they are not bothering the candidate, they can leave them alone. Cadets will miss at a minimum, two days of classes if they have them removed while at West Point. There is NO need to worry about being disqualified by DODMERB due to wisdom tooth/teeth removal.
 
I would caution, if you are going to get it done, do it well before Beast. I would not do it any later than March because you do run the risk of getting medically DQ'd if there are complications and later than March leaves little/no time for resolution prior to R-Day.
 
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