[John a]

About a year ago my impacted wisdom tooth became absessed. Dentist put me on antibiotics and made me an appointment with an oral surgeon. The surgeon informed me if he removed the tooth I would loose the feelings in my lower lip plus probably would break my jaw then or later. I opted to forgo the procedure. About two weeks ago it became absessed again. Another round of amoxicillin the pain is gone but cannot open mouth enough to eat and a knot has developed under my jaw that is painful to touch. Still taking antibiotics. Should I gamble and have the tooth removed?

[Bryanna]

John,

Unless there is any way that your second molar can be removed instead and your wisdom tooth can be moved into that space, which is probably unlikely, then yes you should remove this wisdom tooth asap.

Did the surgeon say DEFINITIVELY that you would lose the feeling in your lip and that your jaw would be broken? Or did he say, these are some of the things that may happen?

With every impacted lower wisdom tooth removal, there is a chance of some temporary or permanent loss of feeling in the lips or possible breakage of the mandible. The good thing is.... those things rarely happen. The important thing to keep in mind is that the tooth is surrounded by infection and the antibiotic is only able to temporarily reduce the pain and inflammation.... it cannot cure the infection irrelevant of how often you take it. This type of infection can spread to other areas which would make your situation more complicated than it needs to be.

I know you are scared...... but it is not healthy to live with this infection. Please consult with the oral surgeon again and let him help you decide what is in your best interest. Perhaps he can be a bit more reassuring this time.

Keep us posted...
Bryanna

Originally Posted by John a

About a year ago my impacted wisdom tooth became absessed. Dentist put me on antibiotics and made me an appointment with an oral surgeon. The surgeon informed me if he removed the tooth I would loose the feelings in my lower lip plus probably would break my jaw then or later. I opted to forgo the procedure. About two weeks ago it became absessed again. Another round of amoxicillin the pain is gone but cannot open mouth enough to eat and a knot has developed under my jaw that is painful to touch. Still taking antibiotics. Should I gamble and have the tooth removed?

[John a]

In the xray the roots are definately grown around the nerves. Surgeon said the only other option would be was to cut the tooth in half leaving thr remaining half alone but later on that half may have to be removed also. He did say for sure I would loose feeling in lip and a very good chance of jaw fracture then or later on.

[Bryanna]

John,

I don't think it would be wise to remove only have of this tooth. You definitely saw an "oral surgeon"... yes??

Perhaps you could consult with a different oral surgeon for a second opinion?

Bryanna

Originally Posted by John a

In the xray the roots are definately grown around the nerves. Surgeon said the only other option would be was to cut the tooth in half leaving thr remaining half alone but later on that half may have to be removed also. He did say for sure I would loose feeling in lip and a very good chance of jaw fracture then or later on.