Wisdom teeth: what kind of anaesthetic was my dentist talking about?

When I went to the dentist back in May, he said I would probably have to get my wisdom teeth removed in early 07' because there is "not much room". He said that I wouldn't be put to sleep, but I would still have an IV. I thought that you only get the IV when you are going to be put to sleep? Also, I just went back to the dentist for my check-up, like 3-4 weeks ago, and he didnt say anything about my wisdom teeth. One is already half-way through, the other three are close to coming through. The one that is already somewhat through gives me pain every so often and the other three just feels like alot of pressure. I want to see if I can get them out sooner, but I really dont want to be put to sleep for the surgery. If my other three don't erupt by Dec/Jan, then can I still have the local anaesthetic? Thanks

Wisdom teeth: what kind of anaesthetic was my dentist talking about?
He was probably referring to what is known as "twilight sleep"(or as it is sometimes known, iv conscious sedation), you will be awake, but you will be possibly be given a medication combo of a benzodiazepine drug like Midazolam(Versed) with an add on of an opiate like Nubaine, Fentanyl, Morphine, or Demoral. This type of sedation is different than general anesthesia because you will still be technically awake. However, this will allow you to go through the procedure with minimal discomfort. You will also still be given a local anesthetic. If you have a competent dentist your vital signs will be monitored throughout the procedure(make sure of that). Also, I would not recommend going through this procedure with a local anesthetic alone if the wisdom teeth are impacted, or if there is any other type of complication. If your wisdom teeth are giving you pain, tell your dentist! The procedure is not that bad. You will also probably be sent home with a prescription for a minor oral opioid analgesic like codeine or hydrocodone for pain.





I hope this helps a bit, good luck!
Reply:A word of caution...........Why do you have to be completely out? I was 60 when I had 3 removed and have heart disease and they didn't knock me out.
Reply:please get a second opinion. sometimes wisdom teeth don't need to be removed. and dentists love the extra money
Reply:I had my wisdom teeth taken out the year before last. All four at the same time, for the same reason, mouth too small. It hurt like hell. They put me under, but not all the way. I could still talk to them even though I don't remember. The do it so it doesn't hurt as much. I wouldn't have done it any other way. You might was to make sure of which kind of anaesthetic they are using, because not all work that great on your body. When I had surgery on my foot, they gave me something that made me sick and I cried hysterically. All I did for 2 days was sleep, wake up get sick, and cry, then fell back asleep. Some of them have some weird side effects. I had to mention to my dentist that my wisdom teeth were hurting again before he checked them for a year. Maybe you should mention your concerns to him/her. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
Reply:I'm an anesthesiologist. Dentists can put you to sleep for oral surgery, but you might want to know that most of them have very limited training in anesthesia. If you DO have an anesthetic (general or sedation), make sure they have all of the monitors designated as standard by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and that they are ACLS certified. If not, opt for the local.





That being said, it seems that whenever a dentist encounters a wisdom tooth, the knee-jerk reaction is "that has to come out". Their logic is that they "might cause trouble someday". If we used that logic in medicine, there wouldn't be a person alive with an appendix, gall bladder or tonsils. Of course, if they ARE causing trouble, have them out. Just don't forget that it hurts when teeth come in. (Ask any baby)





If the teeth are coming in, there should be no reason why you can't have them out with just local anesthetic (injection to numb the teeth/gums/etc.) If they aren't bothering you, why go asking for the pain and expense of having them out?





Just my $0.02
Reply:Local anesthetic is fine, even if they are not errupted. To be put to sleep is only for your comfort. Awake or asleep you shouldn't fell any pain, maybe just a little pressure...hope this helps..
Reply:To the person who commented that dentists take out wisdom teeth to make extra money:





Oral surgery for general dentists is not a profitable procedure, nor is it a practice builder. Conventional training is for general dentists to refer out 3rd molars.





Most specialists are trained in administration of anesthetic, or they can have a licensed anesthesiologist come to the office to monitor the patient. "Twilight sleep" mentioned above, means you are under light sedation and will wake up easily when the procedure is finished. An alternative would be oral sedation, where you take a relaxing drug such as Halcion. You would be awake, but wouldn't care much what was happening and would not remember either.





Many people have their wisdom teeth out with only local anesthetic. Unless they are all impacted and difficult, that's the way I'd want to go.
Reply:The IV would only erase your memory of what was going on. You could care less about what was happening to you. It is like a happy drug.


As for the wisdom teeth if they are impacted get them out by an oral surgeon. Maybe a Maxofacial doc would do it as well. I had 4 done at once and was OK. Bring someone with you to take you home afterwards. Lots of luck
Reply:[WISDOM TEETH ARE FUNNY LITTLE CRITTERS, JUST THINK, FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING THEM W/O ANY PROBLEMS. IF AN ORTHODONTIST HAS TOLD YOU YOU TO HAVE THEM OUT FOR BRACES (BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT SPACE) THEN BY ALL MEANS HAVE THEM OUT. HOWEVER, IF THEY DON'T BOTHER YOU AND YOU ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEM CLEAN, THEN DON'T HAVE THEM OUT.


DON'T FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, "probably have to get my wisdom teeth removed..." SEE, HE WASN'T ABSOLUTELY SURE? YOU'RE TEETHING WITH THE OTHERS THAT ARE YET NOT COMPLETELY OUT, AND PUTTING SOME ORAJEL OR AMBESOL OVER THE SORE SPOTS WILL HELP A BUNCH. YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE LOCAL ANESTHETIC.
Reply:Go see an oral surgeon for a consultation--there is usually no charge. Yes they can put you to sleep for the extractions. You can also ask for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthesia (numbing injections) if you don't want to be put under. I would recommend just having the IV sedation that way you can go to sleep, wake up and it is done. Put ice packs on on your face right away it will help with pain as well as swelling. Also take your pain medication before the numbness wears off that helps too.
Reply:typically when they remove wisdom teeth they put you to sleep with laughing gas (NO2) and also run an IV. ive never heard of only doing a local for them.





if your dentist said you needed them out, but hasnt said anything since, say something about it. mine were supposed to come out when i was 15, but since the dentist never mentioned them again (and i didnt bring it up because i didnt want it done) it wasnt until i was 20 that they came out. (which caused the surgery to be much longer and more difficult.