Hey there. First of all, let me start off by saying Happy Independence Day and I hope you all have a great day. I'm in need of some personal support with an upcoming surgery I have next week. I'm getting all 4 of my impacted wisdom teeth removed next week and I'm a nervous wreck. I have no idea what to expect as I have never been "under the knife" or undergone any operations. I had a meeting with the oral surgeon a few months ago and he said they were going to give me laughing gas followed by IV anesthesia. He said they were also going to shoot Novocaine in each of the wisdom teeth that he will be pulling.
My main concern is the procedure itself. I know after the operation I'm going to have some swelling and bruising and I'm fine with that at this point. I simply can't get over what the procedure will be like. I have NEVER been under any type of Anesthetic and really don't know how dangerous it is. I've always had fears of waking up while being operated on or saying something embarrassing/stupid while they are working on me. Will I feel them pulling at my tooth?
Tl;dr: Basically, for those of you who have gotten all 4 wisdom teeth removed. What was the PROCEDURE like?
I would appreciate all your help and could use any assistance I can get.
It is nothing. You'll go to sleep and what will seem like a second later you will wake up and it will be over. You won't feel or know anything during the procedure, and you won't be in pain afterward. However, you would have a lot of soreness over the next few day, but the meds they give you will help with that and then it will be done.
__________________ "The only thing that makes me depressed, Doc, is not getting any answers from you."
Thanks for the response. I'm really just worried how the anesthetic works. I've never been under anything worse than Novocaine for cavity fillings so this whole anesthetic thing is new to me.
The procedure really is nothing. I had all 4 taken out when I was in 8th grade and they were still in the gums. They sprayed some "numbing" agent on my arm and then put the IV in. Within less than a minute they told me to count backward and before I got got 7 I was out. Before I knew it I was being woken up.
There is really no way to prepare for it but to be honest, the worst part is after it's done because you are so groggy. You just want to sleep that first day. They had to put me in a wheelchair and my parents took me home. I barely remember much except waking up later that night and not able to feel my mouth much. You may get irritated that you can't eat solid food or the pain may come and go, but the meds they give keep it easily under control.
Overall, the experience wasn't that bad. The anesthetic is amazing and makes the whole thing go by in what seems like one minute. You'll be fine.
Thanks for the response. Everyone I talk to makes it sound like you're knocked out the whole time, but I feel with my luck that the IV Anesthesia won't fully knock me out and I'll be awake for the whole procedure.
Hi,
I don't think you need to worry. If you're getting nitrous oxide (laughing gas) AND an IV anesthetic, you won't know a thing. IV anesthetic is designed to render you completely out. It's what they use before major surgery in order to intubate a patient before a general anesthetic is used.
Seriously, you won't know a thing that's happening!
I had four teeth out and four implants placed at the same time with just novocaine and nitrous. I was so nervous, esp. about the implants going in. I can honestly say I had NO pain at all and don't remember a thing. For this very nervous patient, it was a breeze. He could have cut off my head and I wouldn't have known a thing!
You shouldn't have any problem at all. Just remember to ice it (rice in a sock works GREAT!) when you get home and sleep with your head elevated a bit. That will help to minimize swelling.
GOOD LUCK and let us know how you do.
My best to you,
Gellia
Thanks for the response. Everyone I talk to makes it sound like you're knocked out the whole time, but I feel with my luck that the IV Anesthesia won't fully knock me out and I'll be awake for the whole procedure.
You'll be fine. I've had bad reactions to gas before, but the IV for the wisdom teeth procedure took me out 100%. If I ever have to go do anything similar ever again I hope it works that exact same way.
It really does feel like you're done in about one minute.
Thanks again for the responses. I'm freaking out even more now after reading an article about a girl dying during her wisdom teeth surgery. They said she died of oxygen deprivation from the anesthetic during the surgery and now I'm freaking out because I never had anesthesia before.
Hi,
Don't worry. The machines used today are calibrated to automatically shut down if the appropriate amount of oxygen is not delivered at the same time as the nitrous.
Deaths occurring with recreational misuse does happen.
Your dentist will have an assistant and you will be carefully monitored.
GOOD LUCK. Come back and let us know how you do. We all LOVE success stories!
Hi,
Don't worry. The machines used today are calibrated to automatically shut down if the appropriate amount of oxygen is not delivered at the same time as the nitrous.
Deaths occurring with recreational misuse does happen.
Your dentist will have an assistant and you will be carefully monitored.
GOOD LUCK. Come back and let us know how you do. We all LOVE success stories!
Best to you,
Gellia
Thanks a lot. I go in this Monday at 8am to get them out. I can't eat or drink after midnight and will probably be shaking inside from anxiety. I've talked to so many people who say I'm over-thinking it and that I shouldn't worry but it's just one of those things where I have never experienced what an anesthetic feels like and never had to have 4 teeth pulled.
Definitely, not a big deal. The dentist will be able to tell if you are still awake, and they use instruments (Pulse oximeter) to make sure that you aren't having any sort of problem while you're out.
I was a little sore for a few days after my extraction, but then I was fine. SO glad I got it over with!
I've had teeth pulled and implants placed while wide awake, only novacaine, and no nitrous. Let me start be saying I'm a wimp-especially to dental pain. Let me be clear, I don't do dental pain and at 37 I do cry if my teeth hurt.
Without a doubt the worst part is the shot. And I'm way hard to numb, and they still did it.
I promise you can do this and it will all be ok! Surgery is scary for anyone, because you feel out of control and have a fear of the unknown. You aren't over thinking this, you have just done tons of research. So you came across the bad stories, you have to remember there are thousands and thousands of good stories too, but you just don't see those. Research is good, it means that you really care about what is going on in your body.
I've had teeth pulled and implants placed while wide awake, only novacaine, and no nitrous. Let me start be saying I'm a wimp-especially to dental pain. Let me be clear, I don't do dental pain and at 37 I do cry if my teeth hurt.
Without a doubt the worst part is the shot. And I'm way hard to numb, and they still did it.
I promise you can do this and it will all be ok! Surgery is scary for anyone, because you feel out of control and have a fear of the unknown. You aren't over thinking this, you have just done tons of research. So you came across the bad stories, you have to remember there are thousands and thousands of good stories too, but you just don't see those. Research is good, it means that you really care about what is going on in your body.
Thank you and god bless! I would never be able to have teeth pulled and implants placed while wide awake! I've always had dental phobia myself and I'm only 18 haha. Ever since I was a little boy I was scared to even get a simple cleaning! I'll be sure to update you all after I'm done with the procedure on Monday (if I'm not wiped out :P).
On a side note, my visit with the surgeon was awhile back so I don't remember what he told me, but does anyone know on average how long the extraction of 4 wisdom teeth takes?
I think its pretty quick, like 20-30 minutes tops.
I just re read your original post. People do tend to say weird things, its part of the fun! I had surgery (not oral), and I they gave me this drug to relax me. I actually said this to the anastheologist "omg, I've never felt so good in my life. I understand why women ***** themselves for drugs!". I doubt you can beat that one.....
Honestly, if your dentist knows what they're doing then being awake isn't that bad. Not only that, I got it done in Mexico and waited in line at the border, and then drove an hour and a half home after. And still did fine.
Thanks again for the responses. 2 days to go until the surgery! I was just told that I won't be completely "knocked out". I'm going to have some sedation that is going to put me in a twilight sleep. They said I won't remember a thing about the surgery when they are done. I will also be conscious and able to respond to the doctor. I'm a bit worried now because everyone who has responded basically said they were given a shot and in the blink of an eye they woke up and the surgery was over. With this sedation I don't think that will be the case. I just hope time doesn't drag during the surgery with this method!
Hi,
Seriously, don't fret over this. Twilight sleep is IV sedation. You won't know a thing. The only reason they tell you you can respond is because you are not receiving a general anesthetic which would render you totally unconscious. You would have to be in a major OR for that in the hospital with a full OR team. It's just not necessary. With "Twilight sleep" if there was a fire you could walk out yourself but you probably wouldn't want to! LOL It works great. You won't know a thing, and it will be over before you realize it was started.
Many, MANY people have had this done the same way and I haven't heard of one having a difficult time with either nitrous oxide with novocain, or with the IV sedation.
Once they give you the IV, you'll just take a quick nap and when you wake up it will be over.
You will really be fine. You have an assistant attending to you at all times so you will be safe and the entire procedure will be over before you know it. Honest!!
GOOD LUCK and let us know how you do. We love success stories.
Yes, that's what twilight sedation is. You aren't deeply unconscious the way you would be under general anesthesia, but you are out. I've had twilight 4 times in my life (one for dental, three for other procedures) and all 4 times, the needle went into my arm, the drugs started flowing, and the next thing I knew, it was all over.
Well tomorrow is the big day! I'm getting more and more anxious as it gets closer and closer. I watched some videos on IV sedation and I find it weird how the patient can respond to the doctor during the surgery, but when it's over they don't remember speaking at all. Keep me in your prayers tomorrow and I'll give you guys an update once I get home. I called the surgeon and from start to finish the whole thing will take an hour and a half (from prepping me with the anesthetic, removing the teeth, and then recovery). I appreciate all your responses so far and I'm going to read them all again today to try and calm down!
