Wisdom Teeth

[ery17]

Aaaa, my doctor says I should have my wisdom teeth removed before he will pass me/sign the dental forms!  oral. surgery.  Does anyone know how I can avoid having my wisdom teeth removed.  Is it possible to find a doctor who will have a more helpful opinion?  Or a very cheap oral surgeon

Comments

[slunickomoje]

As far as I remember, it's not a choice, but rather something PC requires. I don't know that it's your doctor's opinion - he/she might just be following the regulations.

[west_nile_virus]

Heh, I used to think everyone had their wisdom teeth pulled in their teens. That was before I joined this forum.

[hlh5f9]

I would just have it done. I don't know the exact peace corps policy, it's a distant pipe dream in my life right now, but my dentist had been telling me for years to get them out while I was in school and had summers off where I could take a week of not doing anything if I needed to, even though he thought there was enough room in my mouth to accommodate them, and I ignored him. Then, completely out of the blue, something happened, and one started rubbing against the inside of my mouth, causing a huge sore to form and it hurt to open my mouth. I couldn't eat, drink, or breathe through my mouth without pain. I hadn't been injured or hit my mouth-the dentist and oral surgeon never told me the reason it happened suddenly, I'm not sure if they knew even, but I had to have it removed. I was scared to get it done when I was younger because almost all of my friends who had them out had awful infections or other complications that scared me. I was lucky and only born with the two upper wisdom teeth, and I figured since I already had to

[whenthelight]

If they are truly healthy, you may be able to find a dentist who will sign you off without doing it. I have the forms and it doesn't require them to be extracted, just for them not to need extraction. But do you want to go to 5 different dentists?

[whenthelight]

PS How did you find out your nomination country? Did your recruiter tell you? Mine just says "Africa"

[west_nile_virus]

Absolutely. Go to ten doctors, get ten opinions. =] I can't tell you it won't be a hassle however...

Although, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I really don't believe you would end up paying thousands of dollars with insurance, unless you have a pretty bad plan or have already racked up a steep bill for the year. You can typically have the procedure done under local and that helps keep down the cost quite a bit. I would try calling an oral surgeon's office or your insurance carrier direct to verify coverage. Don't expect hard numbers. The medical field doesn't like to give that out.

Also, it may or may not be a strict requirement, but the PC seems to demand A LOT of wisdom tooth extractions. So if you're set on keeping your wisdom teeth, try to pick a reliable a dentist who will be willing to do additional documentation for you to argue your case if necessary.

[rennieoro]

Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article