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Wisdom Teeth
I need to have them out. I am terrified of the dentist. Cleanings are okay, but I don't like the surgeries. I don't mean that I'm apprehensive, I mean that I cry. I scream. It's like a phobia. My dad has the same problem.
I've had fillings and the numbding medicine makes my jaw freeze open. Last time, I had to go to the ER to pop it back in place. Obviously, I don't want to re-live that.
Is there a way I could get sedated? Like, totally asleep, the way the doctors do for normal surgery? I have a lot of anxiety about this and I don't want to do it because of the thought of getting hurt again.
Thanks for your help!
~ Em
I've had fillings and the numbding medicine makes my jaw freeze open. Last time, I had to go to the ER to pop it back in place. Obviously, I don't want to re-live that.
Is there a way I could get sedated? Like, totally asleep, the way the doctors do for normal surgery? I have a lot of anxiety about this and I don't want to do it because of the thought of getting hurt again.
Thanks for your help!
~ Em
I agree that general anesthesia can definitely cause greater risks. The IV sedation that oral surgeons typically use is more of a "twilight sleep" sedation rather than "full-blown" general anesthesia that is used for surgeries in a hospital - and that's one reason that you usually do not require the ET tube for ventilation. The twilight sleep sedation is also very often used for things such as colonoscopies.
Wherever you decide to have your teeth removed, defintely check them out thoroughly - ask lots of questions as to what their arrangements/steps are if there is an emergency - how much medical equipmetn do they have on hadn - do they have the equipment to handle a cardiac or respiratory arrest? Also ask if they've ever had any trouble with patients and anesthesia - how many and how severe?
Chances are, a "regular" outpatient clinic would either not do wisdom teeth extraction or be the best place to have it done - unless it is specifically a DENTAL outpatient clinic. You really need an oral surgeon to do the extraction. A regular dentist most certainly CAN do them, but if you're looking to have IV sedation, you woul dneed the oral surgeon because they have had extra schooling/education that permits them to and gives them the knowledge of how to give the IV sedation.
Whenever you decide where you're having it done, also be sure to ask plenty of questions as to what your restrictions are before surgery and after. It was so long ago that I had mine done, I honestly don't remember what my instructions were - however, a good friend of mine just had his out last summer (with IV sedation) and he was not permitted to eat/drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Following surgery, he was to start out with liquids (mainly to make sure his stomach wasn't upset from the anesthesia or medications) adn slowly work up to otehr things - definitely staying on soft foods for the first couple of days - jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs.
It's not only important to follow any instructions regarding what not to eat/drink before surgery, but also iportant to follow instructions on what to eat/drink or not eat/drink AFTER surgery. You also need to make sure you follow all instructions regarding caring for the surgical sites - rinsing them, keeping gauze in as long as you're told, watching for signs of bleeding and/or infection --- taking all medication as prescribed, etc. Depending on how involved it is to remove the teeth, you may have stitches and it will depend on what type of stitches they use as to whether you will need to have them removed at the surgeon's office or whether they will dissolve on their own. My friend had dissolvable ones, but I do remember that when I had mine done, I had to have them removed by the surgeon a few days after surgery - but of course, again, that was like 30 years ago, so they may always use dissolvable ones now.
When you're checking into places to have this done, it would be wise to have your mom or another adult go with you, as they may additional questions to ask and they can also be that extra set of ears/eyes in case you miss hearing or seeing something. Having an extra person also makes it easier to remmeber EVERYTHING you're being told.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Wherever you decide to have your teeth removed, defintely check them out thoroughly - ask lots of questions as to what their arrangements/steps are if there is an emergency - how much medical equipmetn do they have on hadn - do they have the equipment to handle a cardiac or respiratory arrest? Also ask if they've ever had any trouble with patients and anesthesia - how many and how severe?
Chances are, a "regular" outpatient clinic would either not do wisdom teeth extraction or be the best place to have it done - unless it is specifically a DENTAL outpatient clinic. You really need an oral surgeon to do the extraction. A regular dentist most certainly CAN do them, but if you're looking to have IV sedation, you woul dneed the oral surgeon because they have had extra schooling/education that permits them to and gives them the knowledge of how to give the IV sedation.
Whenever you decide where you're having it done, also be sure to ask plenty of questions as to what your restrictions are before surgery and after. It was so long ago that I had mine done, I honestly don't remember what my instructions were - however, a good friend of mine just had his out last summer (with IV sedation) and he was not permitted to eat/drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Following surgery, he was to start out with liquids (mainly to make sure his stomach wasn't upset from the anesthesia or medications) adn slowly work up to otehr things - definitely staying on soft foods for the first couple of days - jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs.
It's not only important to follow any instructions regarding what not to eat/drink before surgery, but also iportant to follow instructions on what to eat/drink or not eat/drink AFTER surgery. You also need to make sure you follow all instructions regarding caring for the surgical sites - rinsing them, keeping gauze in as long as you're told, watching for signs of bleeding and/or infection --- taking all medication as prescribed, etc. Depending on how involved it is to remove the teeth, you may have stitches and it will depend on what type of stitches they use as to whether you will need to have them removed at the surgeon's office or whether they will dissolve on their own. My friend had dissolvable ones, but I do remember that when I had mine done, I had to have them removed by the surgeon a few days after surgery - but of course, again, that was like 30 years ago, so they may always use dissolvable ones now.
When you're checking into places to have this done, it would be wise to have your mom or another adult go with you, as they may additional questions to ask and they can also be that extra set of ears/eyes in case you miss hearing or seeing something. Having an extra person also makes it easier to remmeber EVERYTHING you're being told.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
I've had general annesthetic before in my other surgeries, my problem right now is finding somewhere that I cn have this done. There was an outpatient clinic that I went to once when I was younger, I think I might try there.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Thanks for your suggestions!
The problem with sedation is that endotracheal intubation is the preferred method of oxygenation and few dental surgeons are equipped to tube or to handle a cardiac arrest secondary to general anaesthesia. There is an increased mortality with general anaesthesia, especially in the context of the office of a private practicioner. How much greater a risk is debatable. If you elect to have the procedure done with a general anaesthetic it should be done in a hospital. If you have general anaesthesia eat nothing wirthin twelve hours of the procedure.
Thank you so much, everyone, for replying so quickly!
I am deffinately going to look in to sedation. We have good insurence, so I don't understand why my parents wouldn't go for it. My mom told me to do some research in to out-patient places because the last time I had anything done I cried so loud you could (apparently...) hear me in the waiting room. Which is humilitating, to say the least.
I have had surgeries apart from my mouth, and I have done both gas and IV sedation. As long as I can find a place that would do this for wisdom teeth that accepts our insurence, I think that's what I'm going to do.
I'm also going to ask for a second opinion next time I go in for a cleaning. What the people told me was they want to do the surgery this summer before the roots get a chance to set. They did X-Rays and told me that the teeth seemed to be "on the track to growing in crooked". My dentist is pretty relibable, but when it comes to something like this, I think I might double-check.
Thanks again for all of your help!
~ Em
I am deffinately going to look in to sedation. We have good insurence, so I don't understand why my parents wouldn't go for it. My mom told me to do some research in to out-patient places because the last time I had anything done I cried so loud you could (apparently...) hear me in the waiting room. Which is humilitating, to say the least.
I have had surgeries apart from my mouth, and I have done both gas and IV sedation. As long as I can find a place that would do this for wisdom teeth that accepts our insurence, I think that's what I'm going to do.
I'm also going to ask for a second opinion next time I go in for a cleaning. What the people told me was they want to do the surgery this summer before the roots get a chance to set. They did X-Rays and told me that the teeth seemed to be "on the track to growing in crooked". My dentist is pretty relibable, but when it comes to something like this, I think I might double-check.
Thanks again for all of your help!
~ Em
Get a second opinion. Recent studies indicate that the majority of wisdom tooth removals are unnecessary.
Definitely see about having your wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon as opposed to a general dentist. Chances are with a general dentist, the most you would receive as far as sedation would be gas, although some dentists are now using what they call "sedation dentistry" where you take an oral medication about an hour before your appointment to help relax you. This oral med will not put you completely out, however, What you are probably looking for is IV sedation - you are out enough that you are asleep and won't rmeember anything, but not out so much that a breathing tube is necessary.
Most of the time, the oral surgeon will also give you some gas as they are getting the IV started and until the IV sedation takes effect. The gas will help you relax a bit and may make you dizzy - I also find that it has always made me somewhat nauseas too, but that could just be me.
I had IV sedation (and gas) when I had my wisdom teeth removed many, many years ago (I had them out at age 18 and I'm 48 now, so that tells you how long ago!). All four of mine were impacted and growing sideways in my jawbone, so it required pretty extensive work to remove them. I do not remember a thing about the surgery - I remember going into the room and sitting down and them starting the IV and the next thing I remember is waking up in teh recovery area. So yeah, IV sedation is definitely the way to go - especially if your extractions are going to be more involved than sipmly removed an already erupted tooth.
Keep in mind, however, that some insurances, while they WILL pay for the services of an oral surgeon, some of them do NOT pay for the IV sedation, so there may be additional expense on your part if you decide to go that way.
by the way- I'm like you when it comes to dentists - I am absolutely HORRIFIED of them! I also cry, shake, get very emotional, etc. - except I'm even that way about simply walking into the office! It doesn't matter if I'm only there for them to LOOK at my teeth - I'm terrified! But honestly, if you can go the IV sedation, you'll be very comfortable and at ease. Of course, you will need to have someone take you there so they can drive you home - they will not let you drive yourself home.
Best of luck.
Most of the time, the oral surgeon will also give you some gas as they are getting the IV started and until the IV sedation takes effect. The gas will help you relax a bit and may make you dizzy - I also find that it has always made me somewhat nauseas too, but that could just be me.
I had IV sedation (and gas) when I had my wisdom teeth removed many, many years ago (I had them out at age 18 and I'm 48 now, so that tells you how long ago!). All four of mine were impacted and growing sideways in my jawbone, so it required pretty extensive work to remove them. I do not remember a thing about the surgery - I remember going into the room and sitting down and them starting the IV and the next thing I remember is waking up in teh recovery area. So yeah, IV sedation is definitely the way to go - especially if your extractions are going to be more involved than sipmly removed an already erupted tooth.
Keep in mind, however, that some insurances, while they WILL pay for the services of an oral surgeon, some of them do NOT pay for the IV sedation, so there may be additional expense on your part if you decide to go that way.
by the way- I'm like you when it comes to dentists - I am absolutely HORRIFIED of them! I also cry, shake, get very emotional, etc. - except I'm even that way about simply walking into the office! It doesn't matter if I'm only there for them to LOOK at my teeth - I'm terrified! But honestly, if you can go the IV sedation, you'll be very comfortable and at ease. Of course, you will need to have someone take you there so they can drive you home - they will not let you drive yourself home.
Best of luck.
Depending on who you see for your surgery, many places use (laughing gas). It helps you to relax and even go to sleep for the procedure. If you go to a oral surgeon they will most likely give you something to put you out while they take care of you. I had mine taken out years ago, and they put me out completely. After, they moved me to a little room where I woke up and recooped a bit before being allowed to leave. It was a pleasant experience. I was sent on my way with a Rx for pain medicine and an antibiotic to take just for the first 3-4 days to make sure that there was no infection. I was not in much pain at all for the first week, but a bit on the tender side. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon and see what they offer. Explain your concerns and I am sure that they will be able to accommodate you. Best wishes.
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