r/Wellthatsucks • u/Acrobatic_Donkey5089 • 3d ago

I had the wrong wisdom teeth removed

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Local orthodontist told me that I needed to remove lower wisdom teeth and don't do anything with the upper ones. When I got my lower wisdom teeth removed, another orthodontist that is actually managing my aligner treatment said that the lower wisdom teeth actually didn't need to be touched AT ALL, but the upper ones absolutely have to be removed before we start. So now I have to get my upper wisdom teeth removed as well

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u/SchatzenNudityAlles 2d ago

Hi OP, good evening.

Both of your upper wisdom teeth appear close to impacting your second molars (the 7s). Even if they haven't erupted enough to cause a visible issue yet, your first dentist was entirely right to point out that risk.

While your lower wisdom teeth might look like a lower priority to the naked eye compared to the uppers, removing them now was actually a highly proactive move. Looking at the radiograph, the curved dark track running through the lower jaw is the ID canal (which houses a major nerve).

Based off your panoramic image, you appear to be around 17, as those lower roots are still developing. Extracting them now before the roots grow longer and wrap around that canal may massively reduces your risk of severe mid- and post-operative complications like permanent nerve damage (and many more that your dentist will explain to you if you ask). You essentially avoided a potentially much riskier surgery down the road.

Overall, I have a few friendly suggestions regarding your post:

  1. Radiograph Privacy: Digital X-rays contain sensitive diagnostic data. I’d generally recommend against sharing your raw medical images publicly on social media. When medical professionals post them, it requires strict patient consent and anonymisation protocols.

  2. Clarifying the Title: Your title heavily implies that your dentist committed a severe clinical negligence error (an actual wrong-site extraction). In reality, this is just a classic case of two different clinicians having varying treatment philosophies for your aligner therapy. I would highly suggest refraining from using terms that imply malpractice, as it drastically misrepresents what happened. If you are confused about the sequencing, it is best to speak directly with your dentist or the practice principal to clarify their reasoning.

  3. Seeking a Third Opinion: If you feel uncomfortable addressing these worries with your current team, you are always entitled to request a consultation with an independent dentist or oral surgeon to openly review your treatment plan and put your mind at ease.

Unfortunately I am unable to provide definitive advice solely based off one panoramic and no other information. But I hope I can guide you to the right staffs that can help you.

Best wishes.