Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with oralsurgery

Doctor Doctor Pull Me A Tooth

tehloki — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:09:47 -0800

Do Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeons require medical degrees (Relevant undergraduate + med school + residency) like, for lack of a better term, "real" surgeons? Wiki lists oral/maxillofacial surgery as a subspecialty of dentistry. If I recall correctly, my wisdom tooth surgery involved the oral surgeon performing the general anaesthetic as well. Is this something that is qualified by being an oral surgeon or were they more likely an MD/anaesthesiologist as well? I'm wondering about regulations in Canada specifically but details on the situation in the US would be interesting as well.

Words for Wisdoms

arveale — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:51:20 -0800

I am having my top two wisdom teeth out on wednesday without general or "twilight" anesthesia. What should I expect? I am having my dentist extract my two top wisdom teeth that are nearly fully erupted. They are causing trouble with my gums and get infected occasionally so I opted to have them yanked.

The dentist said he could refer me to an oral surgeon, but he could do it himself, if I preferred. I like the guy and can stand a bit of discomfort, so I went with him.

Some folks I have talked to say that the top teeth are no big deal. I am likely to only have novocaine for the procedure. Does anyone have a similar story?

Should I set these wisdom teeth clots free?

miniminimarket — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:52:40 -0800

WisdomTeethFilter: I had my bottom two out yesterday afternoon. After changing the gauze the first time, I noticed I had little stringy, thin tissues hanging from each hole. I called my surgeon, who said losing these initial clots was normal and not dry socket. Problem is, they haven't dissolved or broken off like I hoped. I'm worried they'll end up pulling up my real clots out. So, should I cut them? Pull them? Leave 'em be? They're long enough to sort of feel curling below my gums or in my cheek. Also, they don't taste great. Has anyone else had this? I will do pretty much anything to avoid dry socket.

How to publicy praise my doctor for future patients?

flibbertigibbet — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:20:16 -0800

I live in Ontario. I'd like to write to some government body praising my oral surgeon, who is so amazing it should be on record somewhere for anyone researching him in the future. Should I do this, and who should I send the letter to? He's DDS, MD, FRCD(C), Dip. ABOMS.

Oral Surgeons and dentists, what's the difference?

Muu — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:26:46 -0800

What are the differences between an oral surgeon and a dentist? Can either one tend to both jaw pains and general dentistry? Late last week I saw a doctor for what seemed like ear pain after using earplugs in a factory. As it turns out that it was inflammation of the jaws that was causing this. The doctor recommended I go see a dentist, but here's where I got confused.

It's my own fault for neglecting it so long, but I havent been to a dentist in over a year. The last one I went to left a lot to be desired, so I'm looking through lists for another one to go to (in Memphis, not that location really matters). Is there a difference in service that 'oral surgeons' and 'general dentists' can offer? Would I need to go see two different doctors, one for the jaws and one for general teeth checkups, or can one take care of both?

How can I make oral surgery into a lovely birthday present?

brittanyq — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:29:04 -0800

My friend is getting her molars removed on her birthday - what can we do to make it better? We'd love to take her to do something fun, but are worried that the pain/pain meds will be too overwhelming. Is there anything that she could enjoy despite having oral surgery, or even enjoy more because of it? What can be we do make both getting her molars out bearable and her birthday awesome?

Why are my wisdom teeth brown?

puffin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:45:39 -0800

Satisfy my curiosity: why are my (extracted) wisdom teeth multi-colored? I just got my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. I was expected them to be off white, or at least off white and reddish from blood. But instead they are a most peculiar mix of colors. The very bottom is normal tooth color, the top is grayish brown, and the middle is dark caramel brown. See here, here and here. Why is this?

I have done a Google image search and not come up with any extracted teeth that look quite like mine. I've seen my friend's teeth and they also looked normal and white.

If it makes a difference, all four of my teeth were still under the gum before the operation The other two looked the same as the ones shown, but they were broken in half so I didn't bother taking a picture.

Dentist/Oral surgeon recommendations in the Buffalo area?

Verdandi — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:29:47 -0800

I need to get my wisdom teeth out this year. Can you recommend me a good dentist/oral surgeon/whatever somewhere in Western New York? I'm looking for a dentist in the Buffalo/Amherst area, preferably, but I'm willing to travel to Lewiston, Wheatfield, or Niagara Falls if necessary.

A few things regarding my dental history: My wisdom teeth are impacted and need to be cut out rather than pulled out (this much I know for sure), so I'd prefer an oral surgeon who is open to having me put completely under, i.e. unconscious for the procedure.

The last dentist I went to was pretty unreceptive to the fact that novacane didn't work very well on me and I still felt pain, so bonus points for a place that's good with pain management.

TIA!

Mommy, can I eat yet??

echo0720 — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:06:54 -0800

How soon after very minor oral surgery can I go back to eating normally? A whole year after I asked this question, I've gone ahead and gotten a labial frenectomy (that's the muscle that attaches your upper lip to your gums). It was super quick, and doesn't even really hurt that much, but I still have a stitched up little wound in my mouth, and am not sure when it's okay to start eating normal (solid/hard) food. I realize you're all thinking "why not ask the doctor?", but I forgot to after the procedure yesterday, and his office is already closed for the day - so I figured I might as well poll the hive mind. Do you think I have pizza for dinner today?