<p>huh, i've already had mine out, but my 2nd class was forced to get his wisdom teeth removed last week. He said that he wasn't having any dental problems, they just told him it had to be done.</p>
<p>They may have seen something on the xray to make them come to that decision. Who knows... :)</p>
<p>It's Navy policy to have your wisdom teeth taken out because in extreme stress situations, the teeth can begin to shift and close off your airway...or that's what the Navy docs told us. You can imagine how much that would suck if you were in the middle of fallujah and all of a sudden couldn't breath.</p>
<p>As for getting them taken out at home vs. USNA.....HELLO???!!!!</p>
<p>Getting your teeth out at HOME where you can rest and complain as much as you want, vs. getting them taken out at USNA where you have a LOT more things on your plate...yeah,...kind of a no brainer....</p>
<p>in extreme stress situations, the teeth can begin to shift and close off your airway..</p>
<p>WHAT?????????</p>
<p>There was a lot of discussion back and forth on this issue last year, but that beats all...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Getting your teeth out at HOME where you can rest and complain as much as you want
[/quote]
</p>
<p>...rest maybe...complain? what's complaining going to do for you? </p>
<p>Never heard of teeth shifting and cutting off your airway due to stress. I should be dead by now then considering the fact I still have all 4 at 40+</p>
<p>Haha Profmom!
I hear you L & C! I guess it's a good thing I had mine out before all the kids started coming!</p>
<p>... and complaining won't get you much around here either! DH is a retired Navy Nurse Corps Officer - gotta be dead 3 days before you can go to the ER. (But that's just w/ family - w/ everyone ELSE he's oh so compassionate!).</p>
<p>I'm certain the mids get wonderful care at USNA & plenty of camraderie from shipmates. Our son would probably prefer to get them out while onboard than to sacrifice even one precious day of leave!</p>
<p>When I talkd to my dentist, my wisdom teeth weren't giving me any trouble either. THe problem is, if they are even slightly impacted, it can cause cavities (spaces, not the painful kind) between your teeth where food and sugars can collect, which leads to cavities (painful kind) and rootcanals etc because it is in such a difficult location to fill or do a simple surgery on. So even though mine weren't giving me any trouble, I was advised to have them out because even if they aren't causing pain or shifting teeth around at present, they can lead to serious complications later. And by all means, get it done at home, as if plebe summer isn't crazy enough, who wants to miss two days? You will only be two days behind, have no illusions about getting to relax for two days, as soon as you are back they are going to work you that much harder (it it's possible?)</p>
<p>^^^^The bottom line is your dentist saw something on the xray to tell you that they are possibly going to give you trouble. If there is no indication on the xray that they will "eventually" give you problems then there is no need to have "unnecessary" surgery. Anytime you have a proceedure where anesthesia is involved remember: The only surgery that is minor is when it is being performed on someone else.</p>
<p>Having wisdom teeth removed is not a one size fits all topic. Your dentist or the USNA dentist will know what is best for you and recommend the appropriate action.</p>
<p>^^^^Quote: The only surgery that is minor is when it is being performed on someone else. :( This definition is incorrect. Please see the following:</p>
<p>Minor Surgery- 1. [n] any surgical procedure that does not involve anesthesia with respiratory assistance (an endotracheal tube or a laryngeal mask airway). </p>
<p>The great thing about insurance is that are extremely sensitive to what they will pay for and what they won't. This irritating sticking point with them also protects you as a patient from unneccesary procedures. If it is not medically neccesary AND the doctor (surgeon, oral surgeon, dentist, physician) cannot justify with sound reason and proof (x-rays and history in an oral surgery case), they will not pay. Any parent would be hard pressed to swallow the fees that are charged for this type of surgery.</p>
<p>Nice to 'read' you again nurseypoo! </p>
<p>GASP! The kids only get 2 days off if they have oral surgery?! YIKES!</p>
<p>My former Mid graduated with all 32 teeth :) Our P2B had his out during holiday break. After enduring years of ortho treatment <and us="" spending="" umpteen="" thousand="" dollars=""> there was NO way the orthodontist was going to let those impacted wisdom teeth disrupt his hard work :D</and></p>
<p>Ok, true, not everybody needs to get their teeth taken out, but out of our battallion of 241 at NAPS, only about 4 people were allowed to keep them, and they'll probably get them taken out at USNA. Most of the people who had them taken out had already spoken to their civilian dentists who said they could keep them. I guess USNA might be different, but everything they do at NAPS they do fleet style, so I'm guessing USNA has nicer docs, etc.</p>
<p>In my experience, and the experience of others here, it would be best to get them taken out at home, BEFORE going to the academy. You get more time to rest, and you don't have to worry about that Calc TEST, Chem Quiz, and 5 page paper due the next day. Or, god forbid, they schedule you to get them taken out right before a break (it's happened on many occasions). Why take the risk? but then again, that's your choice.</p>
<p>nurseypoo</p>
<p>Before going in for what everyone told me was minor surgery, the surgeon was the one who said that he did not consider any surgery "minor" and said to my husband "The only surgery that is minor is when it is being performed on someone else." It is a phrase that makes you think before pursuing any medical proceedure that you might deem as no big deal. Just something to think about, certainly was not meant as a definition. :)</p>
<p>I (naively) didn't expect such an outpouring of discussion about wisdom teeth. Nevertheless, I appreciate the information I was able to glean from the conversation. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you get them out, see if they'll give you a steroid pack for use afterwards. It gets the swelling down quickly. Plus, don't go to Calculus class right after the procedure (like my son's friend).</p>
<p>just thought I'd add, I didn't receive any dental panorex requests or anything of that sort. Kind of worried now actually. They wouldn't NOT send me a permit to report if I didn't include the dental requests would they?</p>
<p>i have no idea, but i could send you a scanned copy if youd like
let me know</p>
<p>ps--i got my permit to report package today! it's intense</p>
<p>Dash-9, I did receive a request for a panorex in the paper work that came with my appointment. This also included proof of citizenship and police record check. My permit to report has showed on the CIS but I have yet to receive it in the mail.</p>
<p>Dash-
They ask for a dental panorex in your permit to report package that you will receive from usna. It asks for the panorex if you have not already sent one in with your acceptance packet:(packet that contained your background check and proof of citizenship etc.) Hope this sets you at ease.</p>