Wisdom Tooth and Sedation

**lizzardb63** · 11-17-2011 11:19 AM

Hello All!

When I was 17 I had my bottom two wisdom teeth extracted and was told my top two would never grow in. At that time I was put on oxygen and they just numbed my mouth. Well I now have one growing in on the top after all. It was not a pleasant experience the first time so I am really nervous this time. I am considering getting the sedation, but have never been put under before. Can anyone who's done this tell me what to expect? Thanks!

**KMonte85** · 11-17-2011 12:19 PM

It depends what sort of sedation you get. I'm a big chicken when it comes to dental work, and unfortunately I've had a good amount of work done, so I've had a few different kinds.. this is what I've taken and my experience with them

A Valium or Versed pill taken before the procedure - these sedatives don't do much other than make you feel groggy and relaxed, but you're still conscious, just not really sensitive to anything, like how you would feel when you're really really tired, that point right before you're going to fall asleep. Mixed with the numbing shot, you know you're being worked on, but you don't really feel it, notice it, or care.

Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas - A lot like the pills, but you're high as a kite. I was given this when I was about 12 and had to have 4 teeth extracted. I was not asleep, I knew I was in the doctor's office, I just faded into a bit of a psychadelic trance. A bunch of rainbows (like a drawing of a rainbow with the clouds on each end) were floating around on the ceiling, so I mainly just watched them float around while the doc worked. Mixed with the numbing stuff, I could feel what the Dentist was doing, but it didn't hurt at all and I was wayyyy to occupied with the rainbows to care.

Put under completely - I had to have oral surgery and they put me under all the way for that. It was ok. They gave me the meds and I just started feeling sleepy, then they asked me to count back from 100. Next thing I know, I woke up and my procedure was done. I was a bit startled when I first woke, like how you feel when you're dead asleep and jolt awake - confused sort of.

Those were my experiences! Nothing too scary, but I understand it makes anyone a bit anxious to think about! You may want to talk to your dentist and see what they recommend for you. But I would say if you really don't want to be fully conscious for the whole thing, a sedative might be the way to go!

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 11-17-2011 01:30 PM

Got to admire the way you go into detail there KM,

Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas

Now I didn't see any rainbows, nor any ghosts

But definately makes me calm, my fear is the needles, I HATE NEEDLES...

Face your fear and definately take a sedative, even Mersyndol is great, it's a muscle relaxant, before you go, then laughing gas, agree with KM there...

I had to have some teeth extracted 2 days ago, I had mentioned doing it in hospital, big chicken but the dentist made me feel safe with him, and so, gas it was...

It's the after care to ensure you don't get infections, plenty of salt water gargled, he will tell you this, trust him/her.. At least 4 times a day, 6 if you can do it, it will speed up the healing process...

Also ask for a prescription for Panadene Forte... Just in case you need to take something to sleep.....

I only took it on the first night, it wasn't as bad as I thought, and it won't be as bad as you think... Think positive, the tooth won't be in the way anymore

**lizzardb63** · 11-17-2011 01:32 PM

I laughed at your rainbow story. My coworker told me a similar story only besides rainbows, she thought her dentist was a dinosoar. LOL.

I do have a surgery consult in January, so I will ask what they plan to do at that time. I didn't know there were so many options! Thanks for your input

**ItsASecret** · 11-17-2011 02:13 PM

I definitely recommend full sedation. You feel nothing except the single IV prick of the needle. When they tell you to count down from 10 you do not make it to saying 8, you do not get drowsy or anything you are just lights out just like that. Then you wake up like an hour after and you are groggy but you did not have to feel any pain from the surgery. Then you get your painkillers and antiseptic wash and off you go. Super simple.

I do however suggest you use every last drop of the antiseptic mouthwash because I had an infection and it hurt more than the actual bruising from the surgery. You will likely be sore and bruise after the surgery though because they were cutting stuff and so forth...but the pain killers really help.

**kristalyn_04** · 11-17-2011 06:16 PM

I had my 2 bottom wisdom teeth out about a year and a half ago (my top ones weren't there either). I am terrified of getting any kind of surgery for some reason, so sedation was the only choice for me. I had some anxiety when I went in and sat in the chair, they gave me some oxygen until I was relaxed, put in the IV and I was out like a light. Woke up and it was over, no pain. I realized I was being silly for being such a baby about it lol.

**Aeryn Sun** · 11-17-2011 08:59 PM

Full sedation is the way I went, and suggest for others, especially if you are 25+ years.
I went in, and they had the chair ready for me. They had all the items over to the left and I kept my eyes shut and my head to the right so I wouldn't see anything.
I jumped more at the wipe then the needle. They asked me to look at them, and I refused, they asked me why, and I said I would freak out if I saw any hint of the needle. This is maybe 2 minutes into having the IV?
They asked If I would look at my feet at least, and open my eyes to count to 10. I remember doing it, and I think I got to 3? maybe 4?

Next thing I know, I am waking up, with a yellow blanket over me and my head and wondering where the heck I was because I did not own any yellow bedding. I turn around, and there is my husband.

I was in, knocked out, teeth out and laying down within an hour or so.

We got my script for pain killers and went to the store. I actually felt great and had no issue walking around the store picking up soft food items and my meds.
The pain? That came about 4 hours later, and it is not pretty, but it may be better for you if it is only two teeth.

**lizzardb63** · 11-18-2011 10:19 AM

Well, I know all about the after part as I already had my bottom two out 9 years ago. All they gave me was oxygen and just numbed my mouth. Horrible! I could tell every cut they made because obviously I was 100% aware of what was going on. Once I got through it I was okay...but I honestly and afraid to do it again kind of know what to expect this time. I will try the sedation I think.

**bec** · 11-21-2011 02:54 AM

go for full sedation. had mine done in hospital some years ago it is definately the way to go!

**Agony_Aunt** · 12-07-2011 08:56 PM

I had problems with my first wisdom tooth, which was on the top, it was out of line with the rest of my teeth and causing pain and a lot of problems, so my dentist said it would have to be distracted. I hated the thought of having to get it out or the thought of a big needle being put in my mouth.

I went to a clinic that done it rather than a hospital, they had offered me the needle in my mouth to numb in or sedation.

I have a bad fear of needle's, but I opted for sedation. It's a needle put in to your arm, it wasn't too sore, but like a scratch, and within seconds I felt so relaxed, then all of a sudden I'm, lying on a bed with a blanket around me and my mom walks in, she said I told her "I feel so great" and that I couldn't stop smiling. I don't remember any of this, nor do I remember leaving the clinic, my mom had to walk me out and she said I wasn't too steady on my feet.

From that day all I recall is bits and pieces from the drive home.

So if I ever need to get another wisdom tooth out, I'd go for sedation because you don't even remember it