Ok, I'm set to have an infected wisdom tooth extracted on Friday. I have major fear of dentists by the way. I have been in intense pain for the last 2 days, I will start the Z-pack (antibiotics) today for the infection. The oral surgeon explained that I will have laughing gas and IV sedation. I may opt out on the gas one! However, I'm terrified! Has anyone had this done recently with same type of sedation? if so, could you let me know your experiences? and recovery time? I need to calm my nerves on this one!!!

Thanks a bunch!!
Scardy Cat!

I worked for an oral surgeon for 5 years and wisdom teeth were his #1 business. I had my own pulled while I was there and trust me, there is nothing to be scared of as long as your doctor makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, as mine did. They do sedate you and I honestly don't remember a thing. I didn't feel anything and the pain medication after the surgery takes care of any post-operative pain. You really don't have anything to worry about, especially since it is only one tooth (I had all four of mine pulled). Good luck!

Oh thank you for the assuring words!!
He wanted to pull all (4) but...I said Oh NO, NO!! I'm doing good trying to get this one out, lol! However, he started me on the Z-pak yesterday, but...as of right now, I'm still in very INTENSE pain. The pain runs from the right temple, to ear, and down the neck/throat. Is this common and ok for them to extract a tooth with so much pain?? Oh and I'm taking Lortab for the pain
plus alternating with advil. I'm shocked that the Lortab isn't helping much, just making me more nauseated than anything.

Thanks a bunch!!!
"Scardy Cat"

I had a wisdom tooth extracted on Friday(10-13). Tooth had an abcess also so dr. had me on amoxicillin for 7 days prior to extraction. He would not remove until the abcess had cleared. I was not looking forward to it but the pain was just so intense.

I did just fine, had some bleeding had to keep the gauze on it. Had the tooth extracted at 9:00am and by 7:00pm all the bleeding had completely stopped and everything was fine.

I usually take strong prescription pain pills, but they did nothing for the pain from the abcess. Dr. prescribed Darvocet which I thought was a joke, but it did relieve the tooth pain. Dr. did say that what I had for pain wouldn't help the tooth pain.

I hope you have as easy an experience as I did. I got my nerves all stressed out for nothing. I'm sure all will go easy for you to.

Deborah

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed when I was 18, now 32. Two of them were pulled the other two had two be surgically extracted. I was also terrified to be put to sleep. I had IV sedation and I didn't feel a thing. I recovered really quickly and the pain afterward was nothing compared to the pain before it was done. Try not to worry about it, I'm sure you will do great.

Hello There..
Believe me when I tell you, I know exactly what you're feeling..
I am a HUGE Phobic when it comes to the Dentist, I literally shake my legs so bad they go numb sitting there waiting for the Dentist..I tell the assistant right away that I am scared and freaking, so far I havent had one that wasnt very very understanding and supportive..
On Tuesday I had a wisdom tooth pulled out that was to the gum line on the top left, had another on the bottom that was cracked (reg. tooth) and a molar on the right side.
My problem has always been I HATE the numbing feeling occuring before the work is started..Some reason it tortures me. Once the work is started and some drama kicks in, I seem to focus my brain on that.
I even took my I-POD which was a God sent, it seriously helped me out.
All three of my teeth were pulled in a matter of 5min. I was totally done and even got a few stitches on one.
Believe me when I tell you, the Dentist isnt the same one we remember back in the day, it seems the new generation has been taught compasion and understanding during Dental school. Shame some of us had to exp. the creepy dental monster that screwed us from getting the treatment we deserve.
You need this tooth out, no miracle is going to come around and stop that..You can delay it until major infections occure, but eventually NO choice will come your way, think this time around YOU have the choice, so make is a wise one..Believe me, if it was torture I would be honest and say DONT do it SLEEP it away with an IV..But just have shots of novacaine I was able to not only get the work done, I cured my phobia and feel healthy already with the panic!

Best wishes, please post again when you are done and help another with the GREAT Experience you will have, you will see :)

Ahhhhhh YA'LL are just GREAT!!! Thank you soooo much for your
responses and support! I'm scheduled to have surgery Friday @ 10:30AM and right now with this pain.....I'm so ready to have it taken OUT!! I will let ya'll know how it goes.

THANKS AGAIN!! :)
KYMWHO aka "Scardy Cat"

This was my DH's experience and I am not exaggerating.

He had one wisdom tooth pulled about two years ago. They numbed his gum with gel and he didn't even feel the novacaine shot. They gave him nothing else. They pulled once on the tooth, no pain at all for him, and it was out. He was in and out, including waiting for the numbing to take effect, in less than ten minutes. Afterwards he needed nothing more than Extra Strength Tylenol for the pain.

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

Nancy

I also wanted to add that if it is still infected when you go, and it sounds like it is, you might want to ask for a different antibiotic. Penicillin tends to do the job well. I have a tooth that abcesses every time I get a sinus infection on that side so I know that pain. Usually though within two days after starting penicillin I am 90% better.

Nancy

Well.............I'M ALIVE!!!! YIPPIE!!! LOL!!
I made it through the extraction! Whooo Hoooo! I opted out on the Nitrus Oxide stuff. But..whatever it was they put in my IV, knocked me out in seconds! Everything happened so fast, yeah! However, one word of advice,
when the Dr tells you to take the pain meds before the numbness wears off, do it! If you don't... PAIN, PAIN PAIN! I waited cause I was scared I would swallow/chock on the gauze, LOL! (crazy right?) anyway, I had my teen son chop that pill in 4 pieces so I could get it down as fast as I could, 30 minutes
later, just a dull ache. Anyways, I just wanted to let ya'll know I'm OK :)
and I THANK YA'LL for all the advise & posts.

KYMWHO :)