Thank you so much Bryanna for your reply, and I will certainly discuss the comparative risks of leaving the tooth (from what you've said, I'm guessing the OS will almost certainly refuse).

That said, developing dry socket terrifies me. I suppose there's no way to know the "odds", but at 38 years with an impacted lower wisdom tooth, would you estimate the chances at at least below 50%? Failing that, what are the chances of coping with such pain for possibly weeks/months? From what I surmise it's the sort of thing that could drive people far more tolerant than I to shoot themselves.