Wisdom teeth

[Trigger]

I thought I would pass along some info we just learned in case it may apply to other 2021 appointees. My DS is a college re-applicant and he saw our local dentist yesterday while home for spring break for a couple days. Dentist said "third molars" need to come out. I read somewhere where USNA suggested having wisdom teeth removed some time in advance of I-day and I found it in a previous class "permit to report" package online- they suggest at least 4 weeks prior to I-day for wisdom teeth removal in case there are any complications. So now we are dealing with this during DS college academic year. I sure wish we had them removed last year in h.s. Oh well, c'est la vie. Hope this helps.

 

[Capri120]

Has he already had spring break? That would be one opportunity.
If his college completes the spring semester in mid to late May, have it done immediately afterwards. Still cutting it close, though.

 

[Trigger]

Yes, I mentioned in post he has spring break this week and we have travel plans after exams last week of May. He'll just have to miss some class

 

[Capri120]

Sorry, I missed the spring break reference

 

[time2]

This is a frequently discussed topic (several older threads on this topic) and there is no requirement for HEALTHY wisdom teeth to be removed prior to I-day. What the SA's recommend is IF your current dentist recommends their removal for one of various medical reasons, it is preferable to do that when you can recover at home.

 

[redear1998]

DD (Class of 2021 applicant in CPR) had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed late December. Have your DS follows the discharge instructions very carefully -- i.e. no straws, nuts, etc. and keeping the sites clean -- to avoid "dry socket" (which is worse than childbirth in my opinion). FYI DD's oral surgeon may have been ultra-conservative (especially when he heard she played water polo) but he said "no strenuous physical activity for at least 3 weeks post-surgery." Hopefully yours will be more lax and/or OK the necessary exercises to prepare for plebe summer. Of course the temptation was too great for DD 2.5 weeks later while at an out-of-state tournament, so she begged her regular dentist to give her the green light to play -- fortunately with no adverse effects!

 

[BLUF]

DS meet with Dentist. He suggested he should have his wisdom teeth removed. He also said to wait until he commissions and have the Navy pull them and save the money. He suggested that unless they become an issue that getting them remove prior to 30 years old is best as the bone and roots will become mature and then it is a big deal. Also make sure it is done by an oral surgeon that is not fresh out of dental school.

 

[ktnatalk]

DS meet with Dentist. He suggested he should have his wisdom teeth removed. He also said to wait until he commissions and have the Navy pull them and save the money.

If DS is at USNA, he doesn't need to wait till commissioned. Schedule it on a Thursday before a long weekend will have minimal impact/interference and it's free.

 

[BLUF]

NROTC, one more year to go!

 

[pleber16]

If DS is at USNA, he doesn't need to wait till commissioned. Schedule it on a Thursday before a long weekend will have minimal impact/interference and it's free.

One caveat to those reading this, unless they are creating an issue, they usually won't remove them until firstie year. The oral surgeon seems to always be backed up and the priority is getting firsties done before commissioning. My spring firstie semester they weren't even going to give me a consult until late February, but a week before my appointment I ended up in a lot of pain from them. I went in on a Monday and they had them out either Tuesday or Wednesday. So if they are an immediate issue, they'll take them out quick. If not, don't expect anything before firstie year.

 

[ktnatalk]

@pleber16, don't disagree with your experience at all. DS (Plebe) had all four taken out the day before Veterans Day in November. They are probably overbooked too (over 4000 18-23 years old Mids) and maybe that's why DS was sent to out in town in Annapolis (no cost just like done in the military).

Saved me over $600 deductible with Tricare Dental had he got them removed before PS.

 

[Trigger]

This is a frequently discussed topic (several older threads on this topic) and there is no requirement for HEALTHY wisdom teeth to be removed prior to I-day. What the SA's recommend is IF your current dentist recommends their removal for one of various medical reasons, it is preferable to do that when you can recover at home.

I'm sorry to restart old news for you time2 but I did search old threads and could not find the recommended time before I-day I was looking for. I felt this was possible useful info for 2021 parents/mids. And notice that I was not making an argument whether or not to get wisdom teeth removed. I was simply offering information to those like us who's DS or DD has been advised by general dentist to get third molars removed when to get it done.

 

[Capri120]

For USAFA, they recommend 6 - 8 weeks before I-Day. I believe I have seen someone say USNA suggests a minimum of 4 weeks.

 

[ktnatalk]

For USAFA, they recommend 6 - 8 weeks before I-Day. I believe I have seen someone say USNA suggests a minimum of 4 weeks.

Those are stated long just to be safe. Many had posted on SAF a couple weeks is enough - as long as you follow the instructions to care for the wound properly.