Removing Wisdom Teeth Privately

Hi all,

I've noticed over the last few months (since about May), that back teeth (presumabley Wisdom teeth) have erupted and are still partly embedded in the skin.

My lower inscisors have been knocked of line with my upper inscisors as a result.

I had a dentist appointment late may sometime, regular checkup, and she said nothing about it, when I decided to see her again month later, late June specifically about it and she said there's nothing wrong with my wisdom teeth, in which there isn't, no real pain etc.

However I'm still concerned about the fact that my teeth are slightly out of line as a result and that I believe my jaw has swollen/gotten bigger (mainly because there's not enough space so naturally this has happened), which appearance-wise, I absolutely hate and so I'm more determined than ever to get them removed.

Is there anyway I can get them privately removed? She said something about going to see an orthodontist (costing me £80).

Just wondering if this can be done?? Appreciate any help.

Reply 1

Dionysus

15

There's always a way to do things privately, if you have enough cash. Are you sure you've exhausted all of your options on the NHS?

Reply 2

orbelina

I think (but im not totally sure) that as a student you are still entitled to free dental care, so if your wisdom teeth are causing problems you should be able to get them removed on the NHS. Have you asked you dentist outright?

Reply 3

Dionysus

15

orbelina

I think (but im not totally sure) that as a student you are still entitled to free dental care, so if your wisdom teeth are causing problems you should be able to get them removed on the NHS. Have you asked you dentist outright?

Everybody is entitled to free dental care to an extent. If it's a procedure which is essential to your health, that's what the NHS is there to cover. Anything cosmetic or not strictly necessary is charged. Although as you say, students can normally get free orthodontic care if it is judged to be a significant problem with appearance.

Reply 4

Sharpshooter

OP

20

I have a sneaky feeling I will be paying for this somehow.

Is an orthodontist appointment the right way to go? I don't want to be paying an £80 private appointment fee just for him to tell me he doesn't remove wisdom teeth and only supplies braces.

Reply 5

something_vague

2

I'm pretty sure the orthodontist won't be able to remove the teeth himself. I had to see a orthodontist to advise whether I should have teeth taken out, who then referred me to the hospital. Have you asked your dentist why she advised you to go and see an orthodonist? I'd ask her about it..

Also you should be able to see a decent orthodonist for less than £80, I think mine was around £50 for a consultation.

Reply 6

Clubber Lang

15

It seems like YOUR dentist is being an arse about it and not giving you X RAYS or taking you seriously

You can simply sign up at a private dentist and have a check up and get their opinion - THEY (even if they are private) can recommend that you have your wisdom tooth taken out for FREE at an NHS *HOSPITAL*. They will ldo this by sending a letter to the hospital (this whole process took me 13-18 months - partly my fault as i missed an appointment that set me back 6 months!)

Alternativley you can get private dental insruance with BUPA and if you need the tooth out you can get it out privatley (check the terms - i know you can pay them like £1000 to have to done privatley and quickly but whether they do it as part of their dental care is another matter - it may depend on how urgent it is).

From what I have read they generally recommend it only if it will cause you serious problems in the future.

Finally, a PRIVATE dentist can take the wisdom tooth out. My dentist was NHS but he said he could see me as private and remove the tooth in a 1 or 2 hour slot for 200 odd quid (which i would have taken) but he advised me to goto the hospital and have it done by the specialists as my tooth was so close to a nerve.

So my advice to you is to go and make an appointment with another dentist and see what they think - a private appointment is £20 or so round here for a first checkup and x rays another £20 - so its not mega money.

Your options

1) See another private dentist and get him to take it out instantly as a private patient
2) See a private dentists and get an NHS refferal
3) Get private healthcare cover and have it taken out at a private hospital

The benefit of having it at a hospital is you get experts who do it day in day out - as my nerve was so close i was told to go to hospital - i imagine its a rarer thing for dentists to do extractions of the wisdom tooth every day/week.

Reply 7

Clubber Lang

15

NHS dentistry is limited and I don't think having a wisdom tooth taken out at the dentists (surgery) is allowed.

Having it taken out at a hospital is free to everyone.

Make sure you read up on the risks BEFORE you have it done - i did extensive reading on the risk (esp nerve damage) and although i signed a disclaimer to the risks i felt much more confident knowing about it beforehand).

Reply 8

Nally

10

My wisdom teeth were SO painful and so I called the NHS emergency dental appointment line and they gave me an appointment with my local Dental Access centre who took out the offending tooth that afternoon and it cost me £15. Give the emergency dental line a call and see if they can help.

Removing Wisdom Teeth Privately

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