Reviews: I’m 40 and had no problems with my wisdom teeth until I was 38. Last month was my six-month exam and time for a panoramic x-ray. My dentist said two wisdom teeth are impacted, and one has a cavity. That explains why I have been feeling some discomfort. She referred me to an oral surgeon who wanted to remove all 4 teeth. I’m terrified. Is this necessary? I felt faint when the oral surgeon started talking about the risks and nerve damage. She assured me that I would be sedated and not feel a thing. Is this surgery necessary? I wonder if I could see another dentist to remove the cavity and place a white filling. Maybe only one tooth would need to be extracted from them. I don’t like overtreatment if it’s not necessary. Thanks. Malyssa
Malyssa,
Removing tooth decay from a wisdom tooth and filling the tooth with dental composite will not resolve concerns with impacted teeth. The wisdom teeth will continue to push on neighboring teeth. Impacted teeth are hard to clean and can become infected. However, a surgeon does not need to remove healthy, fully erupted wisdom teeth that do not jeopardize neighboring teeth’s health or position.
Impacted wisdom tooth
An oral surgeon must explain the risks of tooth removal. However, they use a 3D scan to avoid nerve damage. Although a surgeon may emphasize the risks, they must protect themselves from potential lawsuits.
Removing all four wisdom teeth is not overtreatment. Removing them now prevents future complications, a dental emergency, and other surgery to remove the remaining teeth. Your anxiety is understandable; many patients experience it. Explain your anxiety level to the oral surgeon to ensure she gives you enough sedation to ensure you stay deeply relaxed throughout the procedure.
Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.
A calcified root canal needs treatment if X-rays show signs of infection. An endodontist (root canal specialist) may treat calcified roots using these tools:
Placing composite fillings on back teeth is very different than using amalgam. The process takes more time and more skill. According to the American Dental Association, it is 
A dentist placed a new silver filling last Friday without telling me it was silver. The filling is in my bottom left second molar. That’s the side of my mouth that I chew on. Now, whenever I have a cold drink of anything, even water, my tooth hurts soooo much. It almost feels as if the cold liquid is going inside the tooth. I know the liquid is not going inside the tooth, but it feels like it.
My dentist replaced three silver fillings with white ones in April. I have symptoms in all three fillings, which concerns me. If only one filling was uncomfortable, I would be more inclined to let my dentist replace it, but I am skeptical. I feel moderate pain when I eat, mild sensitivity to heat and cold, moderate pain after dinner, and left jaw and tonsil discomfort. I also feel some tingling and numbness in my jaw and chin. I don’t feel any pain in the mornings, though.
Last week, my dentist insulted me by telling me that he would not replace the crowns on my four upper front teeth unless I got braces. He said the teeth are crooked and bucked, and crowns will not look right. I am 58 years old and have no intention of getting braces. Neither my teeth nor my smile makes me uncomfortable. I want the crowns replaced because they are more than 20 years old and fused to metal. They are discoloring, and I want to replace them and two old silver fillings before they look bad. Why does my dentist insist that I need braces and deny my patient rights by refusing treatment unless I get braces? – Thank you. Jerome from TN