Removing Wisdom Teeth Myself?

Question

Ok... Ok... So, yes it sounds crazy but I'm debating on removing my ONE wisdom tooth at home myself. Don't post a bunch of "h**l NO" answers. They aren't helpful. I'm hoping a dentist comes on here and gives me an extremely good reason not to or some advice to help me on my self-extraction.

First off I have no medical insurance because I'm in the middle gray area of "No coverage from state because I make too much" and "Sorry your coverage through the company is worthless". So going in to get it done is out of the question completely.

My options are:

A. Live with it. Problem being I believe it's getting infected.

B. Remove it with sterile things at home.

I only have one and it doesn't impact the tooth next to it. It also does move some and a piece of it fell out a year ago which is why I think it's getting infected. I have an incredibly large threshold for pain and I'd probably educate myself to dentist level before I'd do it. Neither of those two bother me and this idea doesn't seem scary. I've stitched, stapled and fished out foreign objects myself at home with no heavy bleeding issues or infection. I take care of myself well.

The only reason I'm posting on here is I'm looking for complications that can happen at home aside from hemorrhage and/or infection.

Again... DO NOT reply with an answer that isn't helpful. (ex. "Go to a dentist", "h**l no", etc...)

If a dentist does come on here with some helpful words of advice that would be great.

Answer 1

be careful, one wrong cut and you can damage your brain

Answer 2

....you know that the wisdom tooth is large rite? as in once you pull it out there is a huge gaping hole where the tooth once was?

be ready for a lot of bleeding, and maybe have a shot of adrenaline with you so that you don't pass out from blood lost.  and if you think it's infected, just expect more blood than usual.

also be prepared for the tooth breaking into multiple pieces. so you probably want something that you can jab into the hole and fish for the broken tooth pieces.

other than that.... just hope you are still breathing after the procedure

good luck

...now seriously, this isn't a procedure to be performing on yourself.  Why do you think doctors get paid so much? because so many UNEXPECTED things can go wrong and they eventually get sued.

you should know that regular dentists do NOT perform this procedure and instead refer you to an orthodontis.

You said you would plan to educate yourself to "dentist level" before you do this, how long would that take? 200+ hours? If you do some sorta part time job instead, I'm sure that a professional procedure would become financially feasible.

this has nothing to do with you pain threshold... it has to do with the UNEXPECTED COMPLICATIONS, and if anything happens it better to have an orthodontis, dentist, and dental assistance who have experience with these matters.

Also like someone mentioned earlier there is a good chance that the tooth has become fused to the jaw (the only way to tell is to get an x-ray which they do at the dentist)

Answer 3

Wow man... I have no advice for you but by reading this post it is apparent you are very desperate to have it removed... Good Luck.

Answer 4

Extracting a tooth is one thing... but wisdom teeth are tricky and belong in a class all of their own.  The root runs deep, and the older you are the greater the chances of the root becoming infused to your jaw bone -- essentially requiring an extreme amount of attention for proper extraction.

That said, there are some options.  Universities or dental schools often provide clinical care free of charge to people that cannot afford / do not have health or dental coverage.  You could also try calling all the dentists in your area and explaining your situation -- hopefully you can find someone sympathetic to your needs and they may help you establish a payment plan feasible for you.

I truly feel for you and wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

If this is a bottom tooth, the biggest risk is that you could damage the mandibular nerve. A lot of them lie right along/close to that nerve and having someone do it that isn't professional runs a bigger risk of damaging that nerve, which could cause permanent damage. If its an upper tooth, they lie close to the sinus, so there's a big risk of sinus perforation. Sometimes these heal on their own but sometimes it can be a big enough perforation that on oral surgeon needs to close it or you'll have big problems, and this is definitely something that needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Basically, it really isn't a good idea to do this yourself; since finance is the issue I'm sure an office would make payment arrangements, and it wouldn't be terribly expensive for just one tooth, not like you're getting them all out. And you don't want to just live with it in case you do get an infection, which if its broken means that will just get worse.

Answer 6

I'm sure you have learned a wealth of knowledge by reading up on the internet.

Though you seem to have thought of everything, there is one thing you don't address: and that is whether or not you are going to have anyone assist you; you will need someone to hand you the implements during the procedure.

Also, you you might want to have someone strong to catch you when you pass out!

Answer 7

Take a knife. Clean it. Cut out the tooth. SCREAM loud and hop e for the best.