Is it better to have wisdom teeth removed by a oral surgeon rather than your reg!
Question:
Is it better to have wisdom teeth removed by a oral surgeon rather than your regular dentist?
I just started going to this particular dentist and she told me that I needed to have my wisdom teeth removed. The bottom two. She told me that they could schedule it just as soon as my fillings were complete. I was unsure about it but not because of her...just because of the fact that any type of surgery terrifies me. Then on top of that my boss told me a horror story about having gone to the dentist her family had used for years for her wisdom teeth extraction and how she was in so much pain afterwards for days and weeks. So she had to go to an oral surgeon, found out something hadn't been done right, and then had to have it corrected. Which is better? What questions should I ask my new dentist about the procedure? I don't want to offend her but I also don't want to be like my boss.
Answers:
A dentist is licensed to perform ANY dental services, including wisdom tooth removal. I enjoy doing this, but I also know when it is appropriate to refer the patient for their own benefit. Some general dentists are very competent surgeons and you would make out just as well in their hands.
Is YOUR dentist one of those??? Neither you nor I have any way of knowing, so do what you fell more comfortable doing. If you are embarrassed to tell your dentist that you just want to see the surgeon because you don't trust her, you could just say that you think you want to be put to sleep and go to the surgeons. When you get there, it's up to you to discuss this with them. If you don't want general anesthesia, you don't have to have it, but it's just a way to get out of your general dentist's office without saying, "I just don't want YOU to do it."
Personally, if someone asked me if they'd be better off seeing an oral surgeon, I'd probably agree immediately. If they would be more comfortable there, that's where they should be. I get a deep inner satisfaction knowing that it will cost them about twice as much, though... ;-)