How do wisdom teeth removals work in the army?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:14:10 -0400

I have to have all 4 wisdom teeth pulled. It’s happening after I ship. I have various questions about it. In depth answers are preferred thank you.

1. Will they be pulled in BCT or during AIT (and is it free or does it cost me anything)
2. Will they be pulled by a dentist, oral surgeon, or a corpsman
3. If it’s a corpsman, can the corpsman cut open my gums surgically to remove a tooth that isn’t grown in, or are they not authorized to do surgery
4. Will I be given antibiotics after they’re removed or no, because I have a small infection behind one of my wisdom teeth right now that will need antibiotics to kill later on
5. Will they be cut out or popped out
6. How long will I get to recover and where will I recover at
7.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 5:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:15:54 -0400

AIT, free, oral surgeon, pain meds, not antibiotics unless infected, cut out, 48-72 hr quarters, usually done on Friday. 7 days no pt

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 29 at 2020 5:24 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:24:24 -0400

USAF removed my wisdom teeth at my first duty station. Work was done by USAF dentist. Used local anesthetic. Prescribed Motrin post surgery. Don’t recall antibiotics. I expect the Army will do the same.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 5:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:34:33 -0400

I had mine out when I was at my first duty station. It didn't come up until then. They said I needed two of them out but said while they were in there, they could just take them all. I said ok.

I got put under because I had it done at the base hospital - I have a nerve on my bottom ones that went near the wisdom teeth and the clinic wasn't comfortable with doing it and possibly hitting the nerve.

All I remember is counting backward and then next thing is I got woken up and told I was done. I had the tampon gauze in my mouth (it looks like tampons). I don't know how they came out. I was knocked out...they're gone.

They gave me some pain meds like codeine or something. I didn't take it after the first dose because it did nothing for me. I think I had 4 days quarters? Or maybe it was 2 that fell into a 4 day...I can't remember exactly. I had a 10 day profile that said I couldn't really do anything. Pretty sure it said I couldn't even walk at PT (but I did).

For me my cheeks were swollen like a week. I couldn't eat solids for about two weeks. So it was like jello and stuff like that for two weeks. After two weeks you can start eating soft things - mashed potatoes stuff like that. I can't remember when I started to eat more solid stuff. Maybe 3 weeks or a month after?

That was in 2007 when that was done.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 5:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:57:14 -0400

Depending on your teeth, how imbedded etc., can be done either in the clinic under heavy sedation or general anesthesia or it may be scheduled in the OR under general anesthesia. Follow instructions so you can avoid infection or a dry socket.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 6:15 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:15:12 -0400

I had a couple of wisdom teeth removed during AIT (there was nothing wrong with them; Army just wanted to make sure nothing ever did go wrong with them). It was good timing, because I was on a 10 day hold-under to class-up, so I had the recovery time. I got 3 days on quarters, and a big bottle of percocet that I never touched (Drill Sergeants had to keep it in the office, as it is a controlled narcotic) and left the holding company without reclaiming them (didn't need them). I still have one wisdom tooth remaining (and I'm 50 years old)

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 29 at 2020 6:59 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:59:34 -0400

They used to do them all at once.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 29 at 2020 7:07 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:07:24 -0400

Army treats wisdom teeth this way. They generally do not touch wisdom teeth in basic due to the fast paced nature of it. However if, as you have stated you have an infection behind one they may decide to do it BUT it will be prior to you being assigned to a BCT training company. You will get it done during in-processing and reception and then sit out the quarters time while you heal and if there is an infection, that will be treated with antibiotics.

More commonly teeth are pulled during AIT or at your first duty station. It does not cost you anything. It is government paid for all the way down the line.

They will be pulled by a dentist there at the dental clinic.

THey will perform surgery as mandated by need, not want.

IF it is infected they will issue antibiotics.

I have yet to hear of any wisdom teeth that were popped out, all of them required cutting and stitches.

You will have your oral surgery and be given between 24-72 hours quarters and given a 7 day no PT profile and you will serve this time at your unit.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 7:41 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:41:10 -0400

Do they check your teeth during in processing and reception

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 8:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 20:37:48 -0400

1) Generally they will only be removed while you are in an IET status if the dentist feels they will become an immediate problem. It won’t cost you anything.

2) It depends on the X-Ray. If it isn’t considered that complicated a case then a general dentist can do it. Complicated cases may require an Oral surgeon.

3) It will either be a Dentist or an Oral surgeon. No medic or corpsman will be cutting into your jaw.

4) Potentially. It depends on the provider’s recommendation.

5) It depends on how they sit in your jaw. I’ve seen some teeth be removed in under 10 minutes with just an elevator and others have had to be drilled in half and removed with forceps.

6) It’s been too long for me to remember the specifics but the provider will write you a profile and a prescription for pain meds on the spot. Ask any questions you have before you leave the clinic to ensure you are tracks.

I used to be a brigade 68E.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 9:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 21:28:20 -0400

If doing it in ait pick before a holiday or you will miss class and be classed back

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 29 at 2020 10:02 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 22:02:19 -0400

Are you used to corpsmen doing dental surgery?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 29 at 2020 10:56 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 22:56:08 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member When wisdom teeth are extracted there is often black and blue bruising that displays on your neck. Just tell your battles that you found a hot, new girl friend!

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jul 29 at 2020 11:15 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 23:15:19 -0400

Let's see. When I was in the Army (79-86), I had to have all of my wisdom teeth taken out. It wasn't done by a corpsman or an oral surgeon, but a dentist. An Army dentist. I remember it vividly. It was done on a Friday. I was given a local anesthetic, with those types of syringes dentists use, with a very long needle and scissor-like handles and he went into my mouth with the needle and injected where he needed to. Gave me about 15-20 minutes for my mouth to go numb, and he started to extract my teeth. Looked like he was using a pair of pliers, and he proceeded to get each one, one at a time. I didn't feel it, but it sure did sound like major cracking, and I thought he had crushed my teeth. The sound was like when you take a head of lettuce and you rip it in half. Didn't take all that long for all four teeth (and roots) to come out. I was given pain meds, sent home, and I collapsed in my bed.
Some things you just never forget.....;-)

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Jul 29 at 2020 11:38 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 23:38:26 -0400

I can tell you how wisdom teeth removal worked in Vietnam in 1966. Do to the hot humid climate my gums swelled especially around my wisdom teeth. I went to the dentist at Ankhe,The Dentist was located in a tent with a dirt Floor only electricity was a small Generator. The Dentist said" You need to have your Wisdom teeth removed", He deadened the tooth. Then extracted it It hurt like hell. He gave me some Penicillin tables and APC tablets Which the medics give you for everything . APC meant, All purpose capsules (Glorified Aspirin) and told me to com back and get the other wisdom teeth pulled when this extraction healed up. It hurt really bad. The swelling went down in my gums. I never went back. I am 79 years old and I still have three healthy wisdom teeth. Semper Fi.

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made Jul 30 at 2020 2:52 AM

SGM Gerald Fife — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 02:52:25 -0400

Back in the day you had your dental work completed before you shipped out. You are going to need all the wisdom you can muster in the Army. If they are all taken out there goes your wisdom. Just kidding but you might want to save them for later just in case the wisdom goes out the window. :-)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2020 11:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 11:18:34 -0400

I had impacted wisdom teeth. Mine were removed at my permanent duty station. I was given some novocaine and they were removed. I was given some aspirin and given the afternoon off. That was a different time, however. I was also in an infantry brigade in Germany that only had two infantry battalions, an armored battalion, support, and with a small hospital. That was about forty years ago. Things have really changed. Listen to the active duty guys.

By the way, you are in the Army. They are called medics, PFC. Lol!

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Jul 30 at 2020 11:31 AM

SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 11:31:44 -0400

Mandatory removal of wisdom teeth. If it's a bother, go to dental sick call. If not, you will have to wait until you get to your duty station. For me when ever I need a day off, I arranged it on Thursday removal in the morning. This way I get four day weekend to rest and recoup. Back when I was on Active duty, there was hardly any day off at all. But nowadays, 4-day weekend is quite often. Play the cards you are dealt with, is my philosophy. No complain.

Oh! No Corp Man will do that. A real dentist is doing it. What do you think this is, 1800s?

How do they do it? They tell you to lay down on a chair; turn the bad side up, and they hold you down and knock it out with hammer and a fist(s). HOW THE F@#$ WOULD I KNOW, I'M AN INFANTRYMAN NOT A GOD DAMN DENTIST! YOU, MAGGOT!

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jul 30 at 2020 12:14 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:14:46 -0400

Ain't nobody gonna pull a tooth that is infected, Dentist, Surgeon or Corpsman. (BTW, the Army hasn't used that term for a medic in over 50 years)

Response by SCPO Robert Gjertson made Jul 30 at 2020 7:07 PM

SCPO Robert Gjertson — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 19:07:38 -0400

Back in 1974, as a Corpsman, I was being transferred from NAS North Island to the 3rd Marine Division. A dental exam was a part of my separation physical, and they decided my wisdom teeth should be removed because they MIGHT give me a problem in an area where no dental officer was available. They let me keep my appendix. Surgery was on a Friday so I wouldn’t miss work. They did prescribe pain meds, but one of our medical officers gave me something stronger. As a corpsman I would treat you for a gunshot wound to the jaw; something elective like this? No thanks!

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made Jul 31 at 2020 1:51 PM

SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:51:11 -0400

I had all 4 pulled in the late 70s at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson AZ. They admitted me into the hospital one day, had surgery the next and went home on the third day! They treated it like a surgery. Took me about a week to recover fully. Have no clue how they do it now.

Response by SPC Robert Styers made Jul 31 at 2020 3:54 PM

SPC Robert Styers — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:54:43 -0400

I had mine pulled after deployment, typically as long as you make an appointment and have a need they will remove them.

Response by HN Sheldon Nadler made Aug 7 at 2020 2:54 PM

HN Sheldon Nadler — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:54:00 -0400

1. It is always free if done on base.
2. Either a qualified Dentist or Oral Surgeon.
3. A Corpsman can not perform any type of surgical procedure in CONUS.
4.You will be given antibiotics and Aspirin.
5.It depends on your teeth. Sometimes they are split and taken out by piece and sometimes whole!
6.That PFC is up to whether you are being shipped out or stay on base.