My usual dentist has recommended that I have a wisdom tooth (that has not
broken through gum) removed at a hospital as he thinks its infected and an
xray shows a "lining" (his term) across from the wisdom tooth to the next
space which is empty.

I visited a private consultant and she took an xray and agreed that the
wisdom tooth should come out but called the "lining" a cyst.

On an xray the wisdom tooth which is on the lower left hand side looks
normal to me, in the proper position,but no roots (that I can see). I am 50
years of age so it is clear that  the tooth it isn't going to push through
the gums.

At the moment I am not getting much pain from the area just the occasional
1 second jolt.. My main problem is soreness of the chin which is continuous
but varies in the strength of soreness from day to day.

Looking on the internet I can see that there is a chance of nerve damage
when a wisdom tooth is removed and in some cases although rare the "damage"
lasts for life.

I will probably have surgery as per the recommendations that I have from the
dentists but I would like to know from this group what problems I would
likely have if I did NOT have the tooth and cyst removed.
Thanks.

M