In Reply to: WISDOM TEETH!!!!! posted by matt on December 17, 2000 at 08:06:40:
:Matt,
I am in my late 20's now, When I was 18 I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out, all were impacted within the bone, and the two bottom molars were horizontal. I was knocked out for the extractions. When you get put under for any operation it is ALWAYS a risk, even if you're getting your tonsil's removed. The difference between getting your tonsils out and your wisdom teeth out, is that you are not really all the way under, though you will not really be completely awake, you will NOT remember anything. The Oral Surgeon will be able to talk to you and have you move your head or whatever, and you will be able to respond to his directions. Not only will the oral surgeon be able to perform his work better if you are not awake, but the whole proceedure will go quicker and easier for you. You go asleep, then you wake up, and it's all done. If you're awake you will have to hear all the bone crunching sounds of them breaking the tooth apart, and feel the twisting and pulling sometimes necessary when they are digging out the molars. (Time Will Go By Very Slowly)
I had stitches placed after the extractions, I went home, I was still sleepy from the anesthesia, so I slept all day. I was never given any type of prescription for pain relief, and I really don't recall having any pain. If you remember when you were smaller and you lost a baby tooth, your gums were tender for a good week afterwards. Thats what I would compare it to, in my situation. The worst things I remember were the nasty stitches that I was begging the Oral Surgeon to remove after 7 days, they told me I had to wait for at least 10 days after surgery. I also had bruises on my cheeks just below my cheek bones.
When you go in to see the Oral surgeon for the first time, he will tell you of all the complications that are possible, don't let this scare you, everyone is told these complications before the operation. If it helps ask the oral surgeon how many times any of those complications has happened since he has been practicing. Probably almost none, and keep in mind that an oral surgeon probably does at least 4 a day.
Good Luck, I only wish everyone could have as good as an experience as I did.