halcy0n

So I've been pondering the past few days about what I'm going to do when I go to the dentists to get my wisdom teeth pulled. They are most likely going to ask me to take my tongue bar out, and I'm very scared that it will close up. I've had it for 6 years now, it's like a part of me. I would really hate to lose it. Anyone know how long they take to close up? Or something I could do to at least try to make sure it doesn't? I've got an 8 gauge in at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated.