If my wisdom teeth grew in fine, will the military let me keep them or waiver them if I join?

2019-04-16T00:05:08-04:00

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Apr 16 at 2019 12:35 AM

2019-04-16T00:35:38-04:00

If your wisdom teeth aren't bothering you they won't take them out. I don't know why you think that you would need a waiver for having your wisdom teeth.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 1:08 AM

2019-04-16T01:08:56-04:00

No waiver. You can keep them

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 5:48 AM

2019-04-16T05:48:29-04:00

Lol most people still have their wisdom teeth, there's nothing to waive

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 6:28 AM

2019-04-16T06:28:41-04:00

I have seen a lot of new Soldiers at AIT get them taken out. So, depending on where you go for training they may suggest you take them out there before you first duty station which is stupid because you loose a day or two of training you can’t miss.

Response by Cpl Chris Headden made Apr 16 at 2019 7:57 AM

2019-04-16T07:57:57-04:00

As long as they aren’t a problem for you, it shouldn’t be an issue. While on active duty, I had to have mine removed to be considered for MSG (Marine Security Guard) duty. That’s Embassy Duty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 10:56 AM

2019-04-16T10:56:18-04:00

You should be good. But at some point after you get in...could be a few years down the road, the military could turn around and tell you to get them removed.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 16 at 2019 1:25 PM

2019-04-16T13:25:44-04:00

I've been hearing that same clinical chestnut forever, even from our own dentist...to me, it seems total nonsense, at least in what I've gathered in chatting with our dentist on a serious clinical level are pretty much a goodly number of instances, short of an infected pulp chamber, as a case in point, serious root involvement, that sort of thing, honestly, that's what I've gleaned, he's also ARNG, I suggested he go into the NY Guard, the ARNG volunteer auxiliary first, he took my advice, then switched to ARNG thereafter...I nearly went dental myself, watched extractions many, mahy times up close, and, aside from a really serious impacted wisdom tooth being a problem, at least to me, no tooth should ever be extracted, should of an absolute emergency...my wife couldn't afford proper dentistry years before we met, she had multiple extractions, now needs a near total upper bridge on her maxilla...my Mom and Dad had God only knows how much dental aggravation...wisdom teeth, root canal procedures, all of those, can certainly be done by competent general dentists, however, the bulk of such things are generally best handled by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, esp. those who are dental anesthesia qualified and equipped...even if you need to have a procedure done in a hospital, under conscious sedation and/or general anesthesia possibly, the bone loss in the maxilla and/or mandible associated with extractions, at least to my mind, hardly justifies an extraction...certainly, not having been dental, though I'd been accepted to go at one point, I went in a different allied health doctoral direction before my total perm disability, we shut my license off sevl yrs ago due to the whole disability thing, there are obviously going to be instances where extractions are needed...however, my advice is, pay the money, do a dental-loan plan, whatever is needed, incl. care at a dental-school clinic, and/or major med ctr, before having an extraction...if you need teeth de-impacted, if you need caps, crowns, whatever appliance, I NEVER let my teeth EVER have a SINGLE defect, I positively LOATHE having ANYTHING wrong with my teeth, period, cut and dry, the end, that is it, QED, period...now, I realize, of course, those are purely my own thoughts, however, I've made rather a close study of dentistry, as well as spoken with our own dentist for a LONG time about various procedures...even if I get a something as simple as an enamel chip or a cracked crown, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get it fixed, INSTANTLY, THAT DAY, ZERO EXCEPTIONS, as I'd said...granted, I might perhaps take that philosophy to somewhat admittedly ludicrous extremes, as my wife is always telling me, however, those are my thoughts about that whole thing, in any event...I entirely grant I could be wrong, I'm neither omniscient, nor omnipotent, I wasn't born with a crystal ball in my head, I realize that, however, I've grown conditioned to spending EXORBITANT sums to keep my teeth as ABSOLUTELY PERFECT as I'm able, that's why when I'd read what you'd sent it, I just figured I'd offer my two cents, such as they are, for whatever they might be worth, honest...I realize I'm likely to be disagreed with, told not everyone can afford such dental care, I get that, however, as I'd said, I've heard that same weird chestnut over and over, time and time again...for some weird reason I can't quite figure, there seems to be some sort of weird military thought process I've seen mentioned on here repeatedly, that all wisdom teeth should be removed, even without problems...believe me, when I was a kid, my Mom had all four out at once, she was zonked on a couch, on analgesics, for nearly a week, that's a true story, I assure all of you, ever since then, having seen my Mom, Dad, and my wife, and all they've gone through, I positively INSISTED my wife go for PROPER care with our guy, to make ABSOLUTELY certain she wouldn't lose anything else, honest...any thoughts, I realize I'll probably be sent a slew of them after all that, however, as I'd said, that's genuinely my conclusion after numerous years of reflection on that whole topic, honest, guys, for whatever they're all worth, many thanks, hope was of at least some use and/or interest, obviously....

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 16 at 2019 2:15 PM

2019-04-16T14:15:04-04:00

Officially, if they do not cause any issues, then there is no medical justification for the extraction and you can refuse if no medical reason is given. However, unofficially, I have been told from countless military dentists that they usually pull wisdom teeth as a good "live training" exercise. It makes sense from a 'keep your skills sharp' standpoint, but again, if you don't feel comfortable or want to refuse, you can if there is no medical grounds for removal. My advise would be to just let them get removed, take your Vicodin and 72 hours quarters (bed rest) and drive on.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 4:16 PM

2019-04-16T16:16:49-04:00

I came into the Army 20 years ago with all 4 wisdom teeth impacted, but not causing pain, and it took them 8 years to decide they were impacted enough to start causing me enough pain to complain and finally get them removed, and had to be sent off post to get it done because the dental clinic was so overwhelmed due to new Soldiers and mobilizing Reserve and National Guard units through post.

Response by Kiersten Childs made May 7 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-05-07T11:02:45-04:00

I'm pretty sure you don't have to get a waiver for wisdom teeth. I know I have one that came in and then chipped so they'll want to take it out but it's not a DQ and it doesn't require a waiver.

Response by Alina Espinoza made Dec 22 at 2022 8:04 PM

2022-12-22T20:04:06-05:00

I got my wisdom teeth removed. I just didn’t want to have any problems in the future, so I decided to. My dentist is my close friend, actually. We both studied at the same university, but I chose to join the army. Currently, he’s working at https://crowndentalgroup.com.au/treatments/orthodontics/, btw. He’s also made an alignment procedure for my son. So, if you’re hesitating, you can ask him for help or a consultation. Hope that helps you, man. Anyway, keep us updated. Tooth removal is not as painful as you think, so getting rid of it is better.

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Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 23 at 2022 12:59 AM

2022-12-23T00:59:19-05:00

My wisdom teeth were all impacted and I had them removed before I went into the service. My Dad had had some bad experiences with a Navy Dentist during WWII and decided a good oral surgeon We already knew would be a better bet and get it done before I went in. ( that Dentist, Dr Harold Nathanson that removed My wisdom teeth by the way had been a Fighter Pilot in the Navy during WWII and was still a very active private Pilot and flew aerobatics in air shows ) My Dad had a filling done out at sea during WWII and the cavity was filled with cotton and filled over and the cotton was rotting inside the tooth, years later it had to be repaired. He figured at least having it done before entering the Military I would know Who was in my mouth and figured I might be better off for that.