Question:
I'm in my late twenties, need to remove my wisdom teeth (3 partially
impacted, 1 fully under the gum). I just wanted advice on the method,
whether I should get IV sedation or not/whether to do them all at once or
couple at a time. If anyone can share their experience that'd really
help. I'm particularly concerned what it feels like once the IV sedation
begins, what's it feel like going under/falling asleep, and the waking
up...so would appreciate any comments/advice etc?
Answer:
Keep in mind that I'm a total wuss about dental
work. When I had to have four impacted wisdom teeth out,
I told them they had exactly one chance to get them, I
wasn't going to be aware for the procedure, and I wanted
gas so I didn't even notice the needle ;-) They obliged
on all three counts. It worked well for me, and if I
had to do it again, that's the way I'd do it. I didn't
notice going under (or didn't care ;-) I "woke up"
somewhat disoriented and crying (due to the anesthesia,
not because I was in pain or anything like that, which
is not uncommon as I understand it), but
it only took a few minutes to get out of that phase
and feel oriented and okay again. Do look for recommendations
for a very good oral surgeon. Mine came highly recommended,
and my recovery was easy. I didn't even have much
bruising, despite some difficult to get out teeth.
I would not do general anesthesia for this, and I'm dental phobic!
I had all 4 of mine (all 4 fully impacted) removed in my mid 20s. I
had them give me a combination of numbing meds and small doses of
nitrous. I didn't feel a thing.
I'd suggest getting one side done, let that heal, then do the other
side. You may want one side to be able to chew food while the side
you had them removed, heals.
I've had general anesthesia for major surgeries, and it's just like
falling asleep. I felt warmth in my arm, then nothing.... until they
were waking me up in recovery.
I had my 3 impacted wisdom teeth out when I was a sophomore/junior in
college - so about your age. All of them were fully under the gum,
but I only had three of them. I was missing one of them - a top one I
think.
The first one I had out with 'truth serum' general anesthetic gas. I
was totally out of it, and anesthetics affect me for a long time -
it's really easy to put me out and keep me there. There was no pain
afterwards, but my face swelled up and turned black and blue. It
looked like I had the mumps or someone had beaten me. I couldn't open
my mouth very far and I lost 5 lbs. I didn't even have to lose any
time at work (I was working as a relief cashier in the hospital
cafeteria and was doing night shift so I went to work that night)
The next time, I had it during spring break and both the top and
bottom one on the same side were done - also under general anesthetic
IIRC. No adverse affects nor any problems this time, except that the
bottom cavity had stitches or something. So I had to go to a local
dentist when I got back to school to have the stitches removed or have
the cavity packed. The dentist did it but commented that most people
would have been screaming in agony, and I didn't even turn a hair.
I am not particularly brave. OTOH, I'm not a dental phobe either, and
when I was a kid there were no high speed drills, and our dentist did
not believe in giving anesthetic for dental procedures like filling
teeth. I never had any anesthetic for that until after I had 2 kids.
I've had root canals that were NBD, and I've also had one where the
nerve was not dead that was very painful. I don't like pain. I
stopped going to that dentist.
My dad had all four of his impacted wisdom teeth out at once. He had
a date with my mom that night, and he was bleeding, and he and the
other guy they were doubling with got a certain amount of amusement
from seeing if Daddy (who was an anatomist) could get the blood from
his gums to come out his nose by holding his head at a certain angle.
I don't know about my mom, but I think the girl the other guy was
dating wasn't particularly amused.
