So years ago I saw a surgeon and he asked if they were bothering me, and I said no. I was there on the dentist's suggestion. And he proceeded to explain how dreadfully positioned they were and how he couldn't get them out without breaking my jaw and most likely doing permanent nerve damage. I couldn't run out of that appointment quickly enough. So for the next 5 years or so, I got to listed to the semi-annual reminder about how those teeth really should come out. But at my most recent cleaning, the dentist said "it's time". Apparently, even though it's not really bothering me, those "deep pockets" have turned into gum disease and one of those teeth is decaying. So I get another referral, and go in for a consult last week. This guy also had zero interest in working on my teeth. He said it would be complicated and risky and ugly and basically he didn't want to do it. He told me it was my choice. WTF? As if I'm supposed to understand how to make a choice between letting my tooth rot all of my gums and jaw and nearby teeth away, or getting surgery from a guy who has pre-determined that it's going to be awful. He scheduled me for a coronectomy on Thursday.
But... I don't settle. I called my dentist back and told him how incredibly uncomfortable I was about having to make this call myself. The dentist said it's not a choice, it has to come out. So he referred me to someone else, who I saw today. This guy gave me the same schpiel about how difficult this would be, and how there are so many risks, etc. But he doesn't even believe a coronectomy is possible at the given angle and thinks he can get the whole tooth out. By the way, the root goes all the way through my lower jaw, so getting the whole tooth out most likely means a broken jaw. But at least he agreed that leaving the tooth as-is is not an option, and he's willing to take on the treatment.
So I'm cancelling the Thursday surgery, and I'm going to proceed with this second guy. I'm sure I'll be out for a while, because I'm told the recovery for this is just not going to be easy. I'm hoping to feel functional within a couple of weeks, but also was warned that this recovery could take even longer. I'll update this thread when I know exactly when the reschedule date is. I just don't want anyone to think I've wandered off again when I only just got back.
