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topladyj · Mar 5, 2008, 12:44 PM

Please help I really need it. I am 22 yrs old and still have my wisdom teeth they are breaking off and one is even turned almost black. I don't have the money to go to an oral surgeon. And we do have a low income dentist here but not for wisdom teeth of coarse. I am afraid I will die you hear all these stories about people having heart complications due to bad teeth. Well my teeth really are beautiful just need my wisdom teeth taken out. Any suggestions? And cheap dental coverage that will help me get these out of my head? I have three that need done.

tickle · Mar 5, 2008, 01:47 PM

Toplayj, I hate to tell you this but if you don't have those wisdom teeth taken out you are going to ruin the rest of your lovely mouth. Gum disease isn't funny you know and it may progress into that if you aren't careful. Find the money and get it done.

And no, there isn't any easy answer.

squeaks77 · Mar 5, 2008, 01:54 PM

I'd say bite the bullet and pay for whatever you need done. Ask around and find a Dr. who accepts payment plans. If the teeth get infected and you end up in the E.R. it will cost so much more in money with possible teeth (surrounding) loss and bone loss in your jaw!
I was buying a home last year and put off several cavity fillings because of it, but by the time I "had" the money for the fillings, two were VERY close to becoming root canals and they STILL hurt after being filled.
You may have to have them done one at a time (for pain and payment), but please don't loose your life from a serious infection!

topladyj · Mar 5, 2008, 02:22 PM

Thanks guys I actually have been fighting like gingervitus for months now that may be the cause. My gum line is receding on at least two teeth that I am aware of. I am kind of just pissed off at the whole thing. My mom had dentures at 30 this may be the reason why. She never did drugs and her teeth got so bad. I am so upset, to visit an oral surgeon it is 400-1000 right?

flossie · Mar 5, 2008, 02:48 PM

Most general dentists are quite capable of taking wisdom teeth out, some just choose not to do it. Phone around to different offices and ask if the dentist removes wisdom teeth.

Oral surgeons usually charge more than general dentists do because they are "specialists".

If you can find a general dentist who does wisdom teeth extractions you will probably have to pay for an examination and x-ray before he does anything. If you have recent x-rays of your wisdom teeth (less than 1 yr old) you may be able to have them sent to the new office which will save you some money.

You can always have one wisdom tooth taken out at a time to save costs (start with the worst one first). If you're lucky the dentist will allow you to set up some kind of payment plan so you can have them all out at once and get it over with.

A suggestion before you have the teeth removed is to try to get your gums healthier by brushing and flossing every day and using a good antibacterial rinse like Crests' ProHealth. Your healing time after the teeth are removed will be much quicker if your mouth is healthy.

topladyj · Mar 5, 2008, 03:08 PM

Thanks flossie I will call around and see. I have to brush my teeth and floss I do rinse with listerine though. You think crests prohealth is better? If I don't do these at least twice a day my gums do get a little puffy.

flossie · Mar 5, 2008, 03:24 PM

Listerine contains alcohol, ProHealth doesn't. Too much alcohol (in Listerine+social drinking added with smoking) can lead to precancerous lesions in your mouth.

topladyj · Mar 5, 2008, 04:26 PM

Wow that's crazy I don't drink but I smoke and I am on chantix right to try and stop that is scarey. Thanks sooo much you are a blessing

smearcase · Mar 5, 2008, 08:09 PM

Some medical/dental schools used to do free work to give students experience (under close supervision). University of MD was one but I don't know if they or any others still do it. I had two wisdom teeth removed at another university by a resident in oral surgery and I think it was the best work I ever had done. He even called late in the evening to make sure I was recovering OK. I was planning on paying but I never received a bill, unless they billed my health insurance somehow. But I don't know if you are close to any teaching hospitals and I don't know if they do anything like that nowadays. But it would be worth checking into if you are relatively close to a dental school.

flossie · Mar 6, 2008, 04:20 AM

Smearcase is right, dental schools do offer dentistry at a reduced rate if not free. You can call but there might be a waiting list. I don't know if they offer emergency services.
Perhaps you could have the one that is causing you the most discomfort right now removed at a general dental office and then wait for the dental school to call for the others to be removed??

topladyj · Mar 6, 2008, 11:05 AM

Thanks guys I just checked and the university of Oklahoma does have a dental program. You can sign up it does take a while to actually get in. It does cost but would be a lot cheaper then paying it all out of pocket. I am going to get an appointment to get the x-rays done then I should kind of know when they can get me in. In the mean time if things get worse I definitely will go get that one pulled. Thank you all sooo very much you are all blessings in my eyes. And my mouth thanks you too. Lol

KISS · Mar 6, 2008, 11:50 AM

For the gums they may suggest a peridontist.

I had a friend who was really happy with work that a dental school did. He got super people and not so super people, but the student that's assigned to you stays with you until they graduate.

topladyj · Mar 7, 2008, 12:48 PM

I Am Going to Get On That School List And They Say If I Am In Pain I May Get In A Bit Quicker... fingers Crossed. Also I Do Have That Crest Pro Health Mouth Rinse And Have Been Using It. My Gums Feel Great Again. Way Better Then Listerine. Thanks So Much I Will Bring Up The Gum Issue At My Appt.

flossie · Mar 7, 2008, 12:54 PM

Do you have a power toothbrush (Oral B or Sonicare)? These are terrific tools to enable you to get your gum issues under control. When did you have your last visit to your dental hygienist?

topladyj · Mar 7, 2008, 01:46 PM

About two years ago. Are you a dentist or hygienist? I actaully would like to go into this profession but am afraid for my teeth need some work.

flossie · Mar 7, 2008, 02:56 PM

I've been a dental hygienist for almost 27 years. If it's been 2 years since you last saw your hygienist it's probably about time for another visit.

topladyj · Mar 7, 2008, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by flossie

I've been a dental hygienist for almost 27 years. If it's been 2 years since you last saw your hygienist it's probably about time for another visit.

So I guess you would say you like being a hygienist. I am going to go visit and keep up regularly. Do you have to start as a assistant first? Just curious cause I can't find a school around here that offers hygienist only assistant. OU has a program but you got to have schooling already I am assuming this is the assistant part?!

flossie · Mar 7, 2008, 07:19 PM

I'm not sure how it works in the States. Here in Ontario, Canada you can enter a dental hygiene program at a community college that is 2 yrs. You don't need any dental experience at all. There are a number of private schools here that offer it too... all you need is lots of $$$ to get in to them.

This is a list of the prerequisite courses that are needed to apply for Dental Hygiene at OU.
http://dentistry.ouhsc.edu/pdfs/DH%2...%20courses.pdf

It doesn't sound like dental assisting at all but more like a prehealth science program. So you would have a 4 year program to become a dental hygienist there.

topladyj · Mar 8, 2008, 11:15 AM

Thanks flossie I appriciate your help and kindness very much! Bless you and have a great day!

topladyj · Apr 24, 2008, 10:56 AM

Well just wanted to update everyone I did get into OU health science centers and they had a student take out my wisdom teeth all three for 250 that's it!! I was so happy I did it Monday however I did get dry socket on one and I am fighting the pain I did get it pack but I am glad this is all done. Thanks so much to everyone that helped. I do recommend if it's a wisdom tooth and you don't have insurance get it done at a college.