Wisdom teeth

jbs123

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
52
DS needs to have his wisdom teeth removed. Can he do this before Indoc? I have his appointment scheduled 8 weeks before Indoc.
 
DS needs to have his wisdom teeth removed. Can he do this before Indoc? I have his appointment scheduled 8 weeks before Indoc.

Sooner the better before Indoc...time to heal. Some sail through, others take a lot longer to recover so you are smart to have his done two months prior. :)
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .
 
Prior to DD attending the AFA I took her to an Oral Surgeon for a panoramic X-ray of her entire mouth. She was recommended by our regular dentist as his X-rays weren't conclusive. DD needed several removed, went under IV anesthesia, & recovered quickly, thankfully. Vicodin & antibiotics were the meds prescribed. The Surgeon said that wisdom teeth removal can be performed on patients as young as 16 y/o; the younger the better as the bones are softer. Something to consider speaking to your dentist about if you have children around that age.
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .

@cmakin Yes, it probably is something newer in requirements. It is definitely a part of the paperwork now and a requirement. At least one 2021, with late appointments, had to get theirs out over fall or winter break. I believe Sea Year mids have had too many dental emergencies over the years due to impacted wisdom teeth (or however it is--I'm no dental professional!) that they made it a requirement. I think if they could require appendix removal, they would! :p
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .

@cmakin Yes, it probably is something newer in requirements. It is definitely a part of the paperwork now and a requirement. At least one 2021, with late appointments, had to get theirs out over fall or winter break. I believe Sea Year mids have had too many dental emergencies over the years due to impacted wisdom teeth (or however it is--I'm no dental professional!) that they made it a requirement. I think if they could require appendix removal, they would! :p

I agree. . . I just have to say, and while I only spent 10 years at sea, we NEVER had a dental emergency for wisdom teeth. . . .I am sure that they crunched the data. . . I mean what about kidney stones? My worst injury at sea was busting the back of my head open in a fall. . . at least we were running down the English Channel at the time. . . I crawled down the pilot ladder and left with the Channel Pilot to get sewn back up. . . just seems like an odd requirement. . .
 
I have learned a lot on these forums, and this is one of them.
 
"What are you doing on Spring Break this year?"
"I'm getting all four wisdom teeth extracted"
"Dude, that sucks. We're going to the Caymans because the drinking age is 18, and staying at an all-inclusive resort."
"I hope you get disentery"
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .

@cmakin Yes, it probably is something newer in requirements. It is definitely a part of the paperwork now and a requirement. At least one 2021, with late appointments, had to get theirs out over fall or winter break. I believe Sea Year mids have had too many dental emergencies over the years due to impacted wisdom teeth (or however it is--I'm no dental professional!) that they made it a requirement. I think if they could require appendix removal, they would! :p

I agree. . . I just have to say, and while I only spent 10 years at sea, we NEVER had a dental emergency for wisdom teeth. . . .I am sure that they crunched the data. . . I mean what about kidney stones? My worst injury at sea was busting the back of my head open in a fall. . . at least we were running down the English Channel at the time. . . I crawled down the pilot ladder and left with the Channel Pilot to get sewn back up. . . just seems like an odd requirement. . .

Probably controlling the things they can! Kidney stones, cracked heads, etc...all unanticipated. Glad you recovered :)
 
I have learned a lot on these forums, and this is one of them.

I was in the same boat. Attended years ago and had no idea that this was now a requirement. DS is getting his removed over spring break in March.

It's actually not a requirement, they like to say it is to avoid the screenings and the risk, but unless you have a partially exposed tooth where the likelihood for infection exists, then you don't necessarily need them out. For example, I'm going into 1st class year in June and I still have all wisdom teeth.
 
"What are you doing on Spring Break this year?"
"I'm getting all four wisdom teeth extracted"
"Dude, that sucks. We're going to the Caymans because the drinking age is 18, and staying at an all-inclusive resort."
"I hope you get disentery"

To completely sidetrack this thread. . . . sure am glad I was at KP when the NY drinking age was 18. . . .
 
I have learned a lot on these forums, and this is one of them.

I was in the same boat. Attended years ago and had no idea that this was now a requirement. DS is getting his removed over spring break in March.

It's actually not a requirement, they like to say it is to avoid the screenings and the risk, but unless you have a partially exposed tooth where the likelihood for infection exists, then you don't necessarily need them out. For example, I'm going into 1st class year in June and I still have all wisdom teeth.
MMA 19 Kid: How did you avoid this unnecessary surgery? My DS class of 13 had no wisdom teeth so it was not an issue. My 2021 DD has wisdom teeth, but they are nowhere close to eruption. She is seeing her dentist over spring break. We would like to know if a letter from the dentist would work and if so, what language KP is looking for. Thanks for any advice you might have.
 
MMA 19 Kid: How did you avoid this unnecessary surgery? My DS class of 13 had no wisdom teeth so it was not an issue. My 2021 DD has wisdom teeth, but they are nowhere close to eruption. She is seeing her dentist over spring break. We would like to know if a letter from the dentist would work and if so, what language KP is looking for. Thanks for any advice you might have.

You need your dentist to determine the path of growth that these pre-eruption teeth will take.
The wisdom teeth erupting straight through the gumline isn't the problem; it's how are they facing? When they grow sideways or at an angle, the tooth will eventually come into contact with the molar next to them; that's when the problems begin. My dentist explained that the pain will intermittently come & go...then one day it will come, remain constant, & not go away. Murphy's Law would then be in effect.
 
MMA 19 Kid: How did you avoid this unnecessary surgery? My DS class of 13 had no wisdom teeth so it was not an issue. My 2021 DD has wisdom teeth, but they are nowhere close to eruption. She is seeing her dentist over spring break. We would like to know if a letter from the dentist would work and if so, what language KP is looking for. Thanks for any advice you might have.

You need your dentist to determine the path of growth that these pre-eruption teeth will take.
The wisdom teeth erupting straight through the gumline isn't the problem; it's how are they facing? When they grow sideways or at an angle, the tooth will eventually come into contact with the molar next to them; that's when the problems begin. My dentist explained that the pain will intermittently come & go...then one day it will come, remain constant, & not go away. Murphy's Law would then be in effect.
Thank you Wishful. So would the academy make an exception with a letter from a dentist regarding direction of wisdom teeth and likelihood of not impacting other teeth?
 
That's not for me to say. I don't know & would not want to give improper advise. Sounds like a good question for Admissions though; best to get it straight from the horses' mouth sort to speak. Have your DS call though, not you.
 
You can go to indoc with the wisdom teeth in, the dentist at KP will eventually take a look when its time for sea year physicals, and if they aren't problematic they won't ask for her to remove them. If it is necessary and she goes A Split, it can be done in the summer before her third class year
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .

I had my military physical at Ft Dix in the 1980's and they told me I had wisdom teeth but they did not need to be pulled. However, now in 2017-18 time period its a requirement for Sea Year.

Our son had his wisdom teeth out in Jan 2017 which gave him plenty of time to heal and get ready for Kings Point.
 
I still don't completely understand this requirement.. . . I am an alumni and still have three of my wisdom teeth. They were never an issue when I was sailing. . . but I also have been informed that their removal is now a requirement for admission. . .

I had my military physical at Ft Dix in the 1980's and they told me I had wisdom teeth but they did not need to be pulled. However, now in 2017-18 time period its a requirement for Sea Year.

Our son had his wisdom teeth out in Jan 2017 which gave him plenty of time to heal and get ready for Kings Point.

Mine were sighted when I was in high school. I had no issues with them until the mid 90s, about 5 years after I had come ashore. As stated above, I still have three. . . . and no problems as I approach 60 years of age. . .
 
Regarding wisdom teeth removal; here it is direct from USMMA. This is from DS (2021) Logging In (Reporting Instructions) handbook. Not required, but "highly recommended..."



The Academy staff expects Plebe Candidates will arrive at USMMA with no potentially disqualifying dental conditions, i.e. Department of Defense Class 1 dental clearance status. Examples of disqualifying dental conditions include the presence of Third Molars (wisdom teeth), either erupted or impacted, that cannot be maintained in a good state of health. It is highly encouraged for you to visit your family dentist for a thorough dental examination, paying particular attention to the following concerns: you must be able to achieve fully deployable status (Class 1) and be ready for sea duty within 11 to 16 months of arrival at USMMA, and not have a DoD Class 3 dental status hold due to your third molars. Class 3 dental status is considered any condition that may prevent you from performing optimally and could become emergent within 12 months. These conditions include:


 infections,

 caries / restorations,

 missing teeth,

 periodontal conditions,

 oral surgery (unerupted, partially erupted, malposed teeth with historical, clinical, or radiographic signs or symptoms or pathosis that are recommended for removal),

 and other disorders or pain dysfunction requiring active treatment.

IMPACT ON INDOCTRINATION:

To allow adequate time for healing, we advise that tooth removal be completed a minimum of 6 weeks prior to Indoctrination. Failure to follow these guidelines could impact on a Plebe Candidate’s ability to participate in Indoctrination. Plebe Candidates who do not complete Indoctrination will be returned home to rejoin USMMA the following year.

IMPACT ON SEA DUTY:

Please note that DoD Class 3 status disqualifies you from deployment for Sea Duty, thus severely impacting your ability to meet academic standards. Please note that the single largest provider for Sea Duty placements to USMMA Midshipmen, the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command, requires Midshipmen to not have a DoD Class 3 dental status. Many of the civilian shipping companies that offer seaborne internships mirror this dental clearance standard as well.

During your two Sea Duty deployments you will be on a ship (surface or sub-marine) with minimal or no medical/dental care services for prolonged periods of time, 4 months and 8 months respectively. The above treatment course is designed to accommodate the realities of life on a ship on the high seas. Should you develop a condition that requires emergent dental care, you will not have the choice of services/providers that you normally would have on/around campus at USMMA and/or at home. 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 Sea Duty clearance and go a long way toward ensuring your success as a USMMA Midshipman. If your own dentist has recommended you have your wisdom teeth removed, we strongly suggest you follow their advice. It is also HlGHLY recommended that any wisdom teeth, which are symptomatic or partially erupted, in jaws that are not large enough to accommodate them, be removed at least 3 to 6 months prior to admission to allow time for healing and to prevent any potential future problem from interfering with your academic studies, regimental training, and sea duty clearance.
 
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