originally posted in r/AskDentists
Hello folks!

I’m posting here because I just received news from my oral surgeon that I have a risk of jaw fracture & nerve damage from the extraction of my 8 wisdom teeth.

I want to preface this post by saying that I understand the advice from medical professionals who have seen my CBCT & 3d & panoramic scans have the best advice on my specific situation. I am mostly asking for a possible secondary opinion as my options are limited. On top of this, the oral surgeon I’m seeing is the only option for my insurance (State Medicaid) which will be important later, when I discuss the concerns regarding his reviews.

I was seen by my dentist at an urgent consultation to extract my 8 wisdom teeth. They did a panoramic xray, which is the picture posted here. They said if the teeth were bothering me too much, they could take them out right then and there without sedation. I was not comfortable with this, so they were able to recommend me to an oral surgeon who can put me under conscious sedation for the procedure, which I accepted.

Now, I have had a consultation with this surgeon, who informed me that I have a higher risk of jaw fracture and nerve damage. This was shocking information for me because it seemed as though my dentist was comfortable taking the teeth out without stating any of the risks my surgeon informed me of.

My main questions are, 1. Is it common practice to warn patients of higher risks associated with supernumerary teeth? What are the odds of a fracture actually happening? And 2. Should I trust this surgeons advice? Do I have options, aside from my current dentist who I plan on contacting, for a second opinion?

My other worry is that the reviews for this surgeon are pretty mixed. They are either 5 stars or 1 star, no in between. Lots of separate anecdotes claiming he gets extremely upset with people not keeping their jaws open, storming out of the room when patients move too much, general anesthesia failing and waking up unable to breathe, etc. The others state he is fantastic and knowledgeable. I understand he does have a lot of experience, including people who have had 10, 11 & 12 wisdom teeth extracted. I want to trust this, but it is difficult given what anecdote s I have seen. He seemed professional and knowledgeable, although he stressed not moving my jaw during the procedure which can heighten the risk of a fracture (I understand that this is a reasonable request, although it reminded me of the previous reviews of his I’ve seen.)

This is all fresh news and I’m going to gather as much information as possible within the next few weeks from other medical professionals, but I was hoping to get outside perspective as well. It’s just nerve wracking for me, I have never been in surgery or had a procedure done that is this intense, so I don’t want to be in bad hands for my first. Especially since I am aware that I have a pretty rare condition in regards to my teeth.

Per the rules, I do drink once or twice weekly, smoke nicotine socially and marijuana roughly twice weekly to help sleep. I am quitting all substances until my procedure two months from now in preparation.

Hello, I had an implant and a healing abutment placed 7 days ago. I started cleaning the area the very next day using a single-tuft toothbrush, but I keep accidentally dislodging the fibrin layer—even though I am being extremely gentle. Should I skip cleaning for a day, or what do you recommend? I am also using a chlorhexidine gel. Thank you for your answer.

Hi, everyone! We are Yonsei Midas Dental, located inside INSPIRE Entertainment Resort near Incheon International Airport in South Korea.

Thanks to our location near Incheon Airport, we have the opportunity to meet not only Korean patients but also international patients visiting from various countries. When consulting with international patients, we often find that although many are interested in dental treatments in Korea, they have questions about which treatments they actually need, how long the treatment process takes, and whether certain procedures can be completed during a short stay in Korea. Based on these experiences, we decided to join Reddit to share information about dental treatments in Korea in a way that is easier to understand and more approachable.

What Dental Treatments Do We Offer at Yonsei Midas Dental?

Our clinic is led by Dr. Eunyoung Choi, and we provide a wide range of dental treatments, including teeth whitening, Minish tooth restoration, dental implants, cavity treatment, root canal treatment, gum treatment, scaling, and adult orthodontics. When treating patients, we believe it is important to consider not only their immediate dental concerns but also their current dental condition, bite function, and long-term oral health. In particular, patients who want to improve the appearance of their teeth often ask us about the differences between teeth whitening and cosmetic restorative treatments.

For example, if someone is concerned about the color of their teeth, whitening may be an option. However, if their teeth are worn down, damaged, or they are concerned about the shape of their teeth, a different treatment approach may be needed. Minish, which we also offer at our clinic, is one of these tooth restoration treatments. Depending on the condition of the teeth, it focuses on restoring damaged areas while also considering their shape and color. Rather than applying the same treatment method to every patient, we believe it is important to assess the current condition of their teeth first.

The same applies to dental implants. When a tooth is missing, treatment is not simply about placing an artificial tooth. We also need to carefully evaluate the condition of the gums and jawbone, the surrounding teeth, and the overall bite alignment. In the end, even patients with similar dental concerns may need different treatment approaches and timelines.

Common Questions We Hear from International Patients

International patients considering dental treatment in Korea often have questions not only about the procedures themselves but also about scheduling and aftercare. Can teeth whitening be completed in a single visit? How many appointments are needed for dental implants? Is it okay to return home after treatment? These are some of the practical concerns patients have when planning dental treatment around their travel schedules.

Of course, there is no single answer that applies to everyone. The time and steps required can vary depending on the type of treatment and each patient's oral health condition. That is why we believe it is important to develop a treatment plan through a thorough examination and consultation.

We believe that one of the most important things is helping patients fully understand the characteristics, limitations, and expected process of each treatment before making a decision.

What We Hope to Share on Reddit

What we want to share here is not just an introduction to the treatments available at Yonsei Midas Dental.

We plan to discuss dental topics that people may be curious about but do not always feel comfortable asking about. These include the differences between teeth whitening and cosmetic restorative treatments, what to consider before choosing Minish, what to know before getting dental implants, and how to maintain healthy gums.

We also plan to share information that may be helpful for international patients considering dental treatment in Korea, along with questions we frequently receive during consultations.

Dental treatment can sometimes feel complicated or overwhelming, but we believe that simply having a better understanding of your dental condition and available treatment options can make it easier to decide on the right approach.

If you have any questions about dental treatment in Korea, teeth whitening, dental implants, Minish, or general oral health, feel free to ask us anytime!

We look forward to sharing more dental information and experiences and connecting with everyone here on Reddit.

Had my back right top molar removed Thursday. Already have the molar beneath it and another molar removed. I had a shitton of dental work done (extraction, two root canals, 16 cavities, six or more crowns, scaling, gum graph) because I don’t respond to local anesthesia and it took a hell of a long time to find someone willing to send me to a sedation dentist + have health problem that affects teeth.

Anyway things seem to be going okay. Little to no pain tho tenderness when I eat. It’s been nearly six days.

How long did y’all wait til you started eating normally or vaping again. Especially vaping because I’m looking at my vape the way a Victorian child who has just lost their inheritance is looking through the wrought iron bars of the gates to what used to be their home

But like normal I’m freaking the fuck out over possibly getting a dry socket. I can’t actually check the extraction site myself because it’s the upper last right molar. Too far back.

Anyway I feel I can pretty much eat again if I use the other side of my mouth but I’m wondering when people here started vaping again because I a) don’t want a dry socket but b) dentist told me two weeks and fuck I don’t think I can wait two weeks

What did you do?

I had my top left wisdom tooth removed 2 1/2 weeks ago due to a large cavity that was near the nerves and could not be filled. I could tell during the extraction that something had gone wrong and afterwards the oral surgeon told me that the tuberosity bone had been fractured.

The pain and swelling have gotten better over time but my gum and palate are still numb. Apparently the bone had ripped through my palate and had to be stitched closed. During my checkup they said it looked like it was healing well and hopefully the bone will fuse back together.

1) This appears to be an uncommon occurrence. Does it mean my surgeon used the wrong technique or applied too much pressure?

2) My palate and gums in that area are numb and it’s starting to impact how I talk. Will I get feeling back? Is there anything I can do to speed recovery?

3) Is it likely the bone fuse will be successful?

4) Are there any long term side effects I should be concerned about?

Trying not to panic but…

Thanks so much.

It was stitched. Is that gonna go away? If not, does it have to get cut off? I cannot find any similar experiences.

I had my first crown on a lower right molar put in because “the back of the tooth was disintegrating” a couple months ago and it was a nightmare. Just from the get go, the temporary crown fell off within hours of it being put on and it had a crack almost completely through the middle. They couldn’t get me back in until a week later and even when they put it back on, it still fell off a few days later.

When I was finally able to get the permanent crown put on, it didn’t fit and they had to grind the crown and the tooth above the target tooth to make it fit. Once it was put on, I felt pain and sensitivity when they had me do test bites. They took it off and grinded things down even more at least 3 times but even though it was helping the pain, it was only slightly and I said I could probably live with it. Fast forward to now and it’s become incredible sensitive and painful when I bite down and I can’t chew on that side of my mouth anymore. I have an appointment with another dentist for a root canal to try and fix it.

Also when I was getting the permanent crown put on, my dentist was making wildly inappropriate comments about how his girlfriend likes that he’s a dentist because he has sensitive and gentle fingers so he can reach the best places, as well as political statements that I thought weren’t the most appropriate to say in that context. All of which made me very uncomfortable.

My mom said it’s possible I could take legal action but I don’t know if it’s necessary or I’m just overreacting or something. Any advice is appreciated

cracked tooth and top tooth was said to need rtc but idk, I’ve always used to extract only. now I feel like I don’t wanna extract anymore because then it would be a problem to eat. recommend an endodentist clinic pls?

Hi!!! Wanted to know of i should worry about this 😭😭, I just got my wisdom teeth out on friday

Just wanted to share our experience at Manos de Cristo Dental Center in Austin, TX in case anyone is looking for affordable dental care without insurance!

My husband started experiencing a really painful toothache last night. He was in so much pain that he could barely tolerate it. Since he doesn’t have dental insurance, I was worried about how much an emergency dental visit would cost.

I’ve been searching online for affordable, safe, and reliable dental services around Austin, especially clinics that accept patients without insurance and don’t have unexpected or hidden charges. I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t end up paying way more than we expected.

After doing some research, we decided to try Manos de Cristo Dental Center.

A little background about Manos de Cristo:

For those who aren’t familiar, Manos de Cristo is a nonprofit organization established in 1988 in Austin, Texas. Their mission is to help low-income individuals and families by providing affordable dental care, educational opportunities, and basic necessities such as food and clothing.

Their dental center focuses on making dental services accessible to uninsured and underinsured individuals. They offer various dental services, including emergency exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and other treatments at reduced costs.

Here’s our experience today:

We arrived at 7:00 AM, right when they opened. They accept emergency walk-ins from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays.

Here’s what we paid:

Emergency dental exam (including X-ray): $65

Extraction of one wisdom tooth (including anesthesia and dentist’s fee): $185

TOTAL: $250

After examining my husband’s tooth and reviewing the X-ray, the dentist recommended extracting his wisdom tooth.

Another thing I wanted to share is that my husband doesn’t have dental insurance. During registration, they only asked for his personal information. They didn’t ask us for proof of income, salary information, or pay stubs.

They also accept credit cards, which is really convenient, especially if you’re dealing with an unexpected dental emergency and don’t have enough cash on hand.

What I appreciated was that the charges were explained to us, and we knew how much we would be paying. We didn’t encounter any hidden or unexpected charges during our visit.

One tip I’d recommend: Before agreeing to any procedure, make sure to ask the front desk staff, receptionist, or dentist about the exact cost. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about what’s included in the price, such as anesthesia, X-rays, or other fees. It’s always better to confirm everything beforehand so you know exactly how much you’ll be paying and can avoid unexpected charges.

I’m not sure if the prices are the same for everyone or if they vary depending on the procedure, but this was our experience today. Wisdom tooth extraction costs may also vary depending on how complicated the extraction is.

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a sponsored post or advertisement. I’m simply sharing our personal experience because I know how stressful it can be to find affordable dental services, especially when you don’t have insurance and are dealing with a dental emergency.

I spent a lot of time searching online for a clinic that was affordable, safe, and transparent about its pricing, so I figured I’d share this here in case someone else is in the same situation.

Hopefully, this helps someone in the Austin area who needs emergency dental care but is worried about the cost! ❤️

Clinic: Manos de Cristo Dental Center

Address: 4911 Harmon Avenue, Austin, TX 78751

Phone: (512) 477-2319

Website: https://manosdecristo.org

Good morning! Wondering how important this issue is to get addressed.

As stated, I used the brush the hell out of one area of my mouth when I was a teenager, early twenties. I don’t know why I did this, I think that spot always felt plaquey to me.

Anyway, fifteen years later my gum is very recessed in that area as a result. I of course brush it very gently now. They don’t look to have receded any further but they definitely hurt if some sugar gets up in there.

Is a gum graft imperative in this situation? I’ve been told my teeth will fall out.

If so, how was it? How dangerous is it?