My Dentist told me I have some decay on one of my wisdom teeth (I have all 4) and I should get them all removed because it will be easier to clean my teeth. This may be true but I don't have insurance and really don't want to spend $1200 getting them removed. Do I really need to get them all out? No pain or discomfort. I'd be willing to pull one of them if I had to, but all 4 seems excessive.

Gosh, do you have a cash register you carry around with you too? I'd keep the teeth and only have the decayed one filled. If they came in properly and don't bother you, don't bother to have them pulled just because your dentist needs a few extra bucks in his pocket.

Exactly, he gave me a list of reasons he wants to pull them, but I think he just needs to make a payment on that Hummer he drives.

If your wisdom teeth are easy to keep clean, meaning they are fully erupted and you can reach them with your toothbrush, there is no need to have them removed. Being that you have decay in one of them it seems that you may have trouble reaching them.

There is no reason to have all four removed. The ideal would be to fill the one with the cavity and if you should happen to get a cavity in that tooth again, think about having it removed.

If you must have it removed you should consider having the wisdom tooth that opposes it (either above or below it) removed at some point if it's not touching a tooth.

You have every right to tell your dentist to try filling the tooth or to remove just that one.

Good luck.

He said he would hit a nerve if he filled it. Maybe I'll just get the 2 on that side out.

Hey Flossie, he told me he would do it, but can't put me under or I could go to a oral surgeon, which is more expensive. He wants about $300 a tooth, oral surgeon would be more I imagine, but I haven't talked to one so I'm not sure how much more. Any thoughts?

It's probably best to have the 2 removed especially since the dentist said you'd probably be looking at a root canal since the decay is so close to the nerve.

You'd definitely be paying more at an Oral Surgeon, not only for the removal of the teeth but add the cost of the general anesthetic on top of it.

If the teeth are already in your mouth there is no reason you'd need general. Perhaps your dentist can prescribe Valium or you can use laughing gas if you feel uneasy about having the teeth out.

I have the same problem - my advise would be get a water pik. They are about 80 dollars but considering the alternative seems cheap. My dentist oked it. But I am no professional. Just my opinion.. have a good day. And GOD BLESS

The only reason you would need to get your wisdom teeth pulled is if they are causing problems. When there isn't enough room in your mouth it's painful and uncomfortable and that's normally the reason you get them pulled (unless there is decay or something like that). I had all 4 pulled at the same time and I went to an oral surgeon and everything went fine. I would only get them pulled if it is necessary (the ones that have decay on them) other wise just leave them alone because your mouth obviously has room for them to be there. Trust me you don't want to go through the after pain of getting them pulled if you don't have to. Most of the horror stories of getting them pulled are from people who went to the dentist to have them pulled and not an oral surgeon. I'd go with that if you had the money or insurance. Good Luck, hope things work out!