Wisdom teeth

I understand that some parents would be reluctant to have this procedure done and I wish the best of luck to those who decide to wait. My only concern would be that, if the Academy puts it's foot down, there will be no convenient time to get this done. The "B" splitters head out to sea at the end of the year so the teeth would have to come out while they are already dealing with all of the challenges of being plebes. I can't think of a worse time.
 
Our had his out two days ago. I am actually surprised how fast he is recovering, some swelling but little pain (lucky him). Our dentist didn't argue the reasons once we explained the academy thought process. He didn't perform the procedure himself but an oral surgeon fellow who came to his office. The OS has pulled thousands over the year and has helped some KPers in the DFW area. He took the time to explain everything and followed few hours later to check the status. I agree, get it done now that you have time, later will be an ordeal.
Best.
 
Think twice !

DS roomate waited to have them removed during AY. Big mistake :eek:going to summer school because of it. Usmma will not sent you on sea year with wisdom teeth.
 
luv2fly said:
Has everyone seen the movie Castaway. You don't want a dental problem while in the middle of the Seven Seas.

luv2fly
Click to expand...


Ouch! Hard to think of an ice skake blade the same way after that! How about the old old movie; "Marathon Man" ....... .. Is it safe?
 
Is it too late before indoc?

I was reading over the logging book again and somehow missed this important piece of information the first read through and I'm kicking myself as I write! It states on page 23 bottom paragraph that Wisdom teeth have to be removed at least 6 weeks prior to indoc! Now it looks like my son will have to have them removed during his first long leave (is there such a thing as LONG leave?) before sea year. Drats!!
 
McMom call the school and ask if he has them removed this week if it will be OK. Our son had swelling but in 2 weeks he was fine. You may be fine. They probably want to avoid the possibility of a dry socket or some other complication.
 
I hope I haven't screwed this whole thing up. DS has four full impactions. Oral surgeon scheduled extraction for a date 5 weeks before indoc. DS vehemently objected to having the procedure done that close to indoc (assuming KP would not object - I didn't even ask) because he thought it would interfere with his physical preparation. (All that running and pushups and stuff.)

Sooo, I caved in and rescheduled for Nov 3 (Tuesday of Fall Term Break). It only gives him four days to recover before heading back to school. Now that I reconsider, I'm doubting that's enough.

Maybe I should reschedule for Christmas break or Spring term break? Any advice welcome.
 
ParkerMom~Is there anyway you could still have it done before Indoc? My guess is that DS is in pretty good shape right now and would still have time to take a week off and have 3 weeks to go. My guys were not down and out for long. I would think he'd be better off having 3 weeks to rebuild rather than a week or less when he is already pretty stressed during the school year. You might want DS to call the dental officer at USMMA. She was very helpful with other questions we had. Key was to ICE, ICE, and more ICE. Good luck!
 
I agree, have it done before indoc! Don't cave. I can assure you that he will want to be able to visit with family and friends his first time home.
 
As a parent of a first classman, I say do it now!. Our midshipman was an A-splitter. On his first summer break, we had them removed. It hurt his training for football that summer. It really takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks to get over the surgery. Don't send him back to the academy with only 4 day recovery time. You don't want him to go to an unknown dentist if there are complications.
 
Get those wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible. If they happen to grow in harmlessly, then you will not have to get them removed. I was able to complete first sailing period with them still growing in. They grew in before second sailing and I had to get them removed before getting medically cleared. The procedure can not be completed on campus.

If they can be removed, do it. Now.
 
i would get them out now. i just had mine removed about 3 weeks ago and just fully recovered a few days ago. i strongly reccommend getting them out as soon as possible.

Cadet Candidate West Point Class of 2014
Applicant Kings Point 2014
 
Get them out ASAP. Last year, DS finished his orthodontic treatment and braces came out in April. The following week, wisdom teeth got removed.

Make sure you get a letter from your ortho/denstist, send a copy to DoDMER and to the Academy's dental Dept ASAP. Wisely, also bring a copy with you on I-day.

Good luck!! :thumb::thumb:
 
You have so little break time when at KP- I can promise you do not want to spend any of it getting your wisdom teeth out. When I was a mid we didn't have a choice- you had to show up for indoc with them gone.
 
Spent the last 20 years as a dentist. The first 6 as an Army dentist. Have taken out thousands of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth that have no hope of coming into the mouth in a functional position usually spell trouble. I tell my patients that teeth have three functions: looks, speech and chewing. Wisdom teeth don't make you pretty, don't assist in speech and can only chew if in occlusion. There are 28 other teeth to help with these functions. Do I advise patients with proper arch length, and a reasonable chance of functional, healthy wisdom teeth, to have them removed? No. Apparently USMMA does. It sounds like a must do. This is the only way that they can guarantee that a person won't be medevac'd off a ship or battlefield due to a problem with a wisdom tooth. I think you need to realize that the military has a unique mission. Keeping their members battle ready. If your dentist has a problem complying with these requirements it may be time to seek a dentist that better understands, not only the risks of retaining anything other than perfectly situated wisdom teeth, but the readiness of a military force or seafaring crew. And if you doubt my convictions to this subject, I'll just say this. My last set of impacted wisdom teeth that I extracted happened to be on an appointee to the USNA class of 2014. She was a great patient. She healed beautifully. She will never again have a problem with one of her wisdom teeth. She asked me to take them out now so that she would not have to deal with them at the Academy. And it was a moment (quite a few moments, actually) that every father and daughter should share:biggrin:!
 
And....if "lucky" you might not have all four
 
not required just suggested

We had never been told till my son went for his letter regarding wisdom teeth that his dentist recommended removal. My son then decided not to have them out. Not a problem yet. he's currently slogging through the dark ages. I tend to agree with the appendix comment. The real point I think, is that the Academy or DOT won't pay if removal is needed even if an emergency....2013 mom
 
Questions about wisdom teeth for any Service Academy and/or ROTC applicant should be directed to me "if" you want the facts vice opinions. Send me your full name; last 4 SSN; and your posting to Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil. I can assist U better from there. Like every other medical condition, dental conditions are individualized also.
 
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