advice about coronectomy

[sensameliablue]

I have an impacted lower wisdom tooth which x-rays show has roots on the nerve.....my dentist says there is a 1% chance of permanent nerve damage if I have it extracted. Here is my issue......coronectomy has been suggested but the dentist has said I will be in "agony" afterwards.......this has panicked me...is it not pain which is controllable with strong painkillers? How long does the pain last and how painful is it in comparison to full extraction? What causes the pain> Is it the retained root or the fact that bone and gum has been cut into? Need more info / some advice, thank-you.