Has anyone had a wisdom tooth removed at the dentist under sedation?

Question

I'm having this done soon - and I am PETRIFIED! Not so much of the proceedure, but of the sedation. Are there any side effects from this medication? How do you feel afterwards.

Any dentists out there able to put my mind at rest?

Answer 1

A lot of dental offices use terms such as "sleep dentistry" or "twilight sleep" when talking about IV sedation. This is confusing, because it suggests that IV sedation involves being put to sleep. In reality, you remain conscious during IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist.
However, you may not remember much about what went on because of two factors: firstly, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what's going on. Secondly, the drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were "asleep" during the procedure.

Answer 2

I've read all the posts and can say that everyone says about the same thing. It's all good input, and good advice. But I would add a couple more things: 1) DO stay on top of your pain medication. Your body heals faster if you aren't using energy to exist with pain. It will sap your energy like nothing else. Don't think you are being a baby by taking meds - it is prescribed for very good reasons. 2) You will likely have some dissolving stitches in your gums where the teeth have been removed. Swishing your mouth with salt water helps to heal those gums, make it part of your daily routine. 3) Try not to drink anything acidic (orange juice, tomato juice, whole tomatoes, etc.) The acid in those kinds of foods and juices will sting like crazy. I made the mistake of drinking some tomato juice because it sounded SO good, only to instantly regret the decision. 4) I was told not to use a straw for any drinking because the sucking motion could cause the stitches in the gums to break. Must be a "pressure" thing.

Good luck, don't fret - I'm 50 and had mine out at 21. I'm certain the procedures have been improved 1,000,000 % since I had it done!

Answer 3

I'm not a dentist, but I've had all 4 taken out, not too long ago. It's no big deal at all. You nod off and the next thing you know, it's over. You may feel a little dizzy when you wake up, you might need some help to walk. Make sure you take your pain killers BEFORE the pain gets bad, and keep on top of them. Don't worry about getting addicted, they don't give you enough to. Drink broth, smoothies, non-chew-ables the first couple of days. It's not so bad, don't worry too much about it. Look at it as a chance to be babied by those around you. Soak it up!
-The dentist doing the proceedure will address any concerns that you may have. Don't be shy, give them a call!

Answer 4

The sedation is nothing, I woke up and felt really wonderful at first, a little high and happy actually. Get the pain medication in your body asap!! I didn't, and the pain came on really fast and strong. If you do it right, you shouldn't really feel any pain and the sedation wears off pretty fast and you're awake in no time, you don't really have to think about that part of the procedure. Just make sure you have someone to take care of you and drive you around. I'm not a dentist but I've survived the surgery of four wisdom teeth out at once...I was a little bruised, but it went well after I got the medication.

Answer 5

A little information I think should be considered on the use of the drug Versed( midazolam) that is used for Sedation for many Dental and Medical procedures... I feel that if people were aware of the adverse effects of this drug they would Opt For Another Drug! Erasing someones memory of what was done to them is wrong!! I would much rather be put completely out, not just sleepy with memory impairment. In fact, many people who use Versed for " IV Sedation,Conscious Sedation" Twilight Sedation, during a procedure are Awake For The Entire Procedure but remember nothing, often Believing They Were "Out" the whole time. Versed (Midazolam) is an amnestic. It is also commonly used for minor procedures like setting broken bones,colonoscopies,endoscopies, dental procedures like extractions,conscious sedation,twilight sleep, so that patients won't remember pain and discomfort.HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE SENSATIONS WILL NOT BE EXPERIENCED!!!!Forgetting does not mean it did not happen!! Here is a note from a Dentist Who uses Versed I've used Versed 1000+ times during oral surgery procedures and I've never had a complaint. It's a miracle drug because it is safe and it causes you to not remember an unpleasant experience. My answer to him is isn't it better to have not experienced the pain than to have forgot it. No wonder you have had no complaints they have no memory of the procedure..... My wife had her broken bone(Femur)set in the emergency room just before surgery to repair it. They gave her versed and I waited outside of the room and could hear her screaming in pain,they did not appear to be concerned as they told me she would not remember anything and she did not. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AND THAT SHE DID NOT SUFFER A note from an anesthesiologist The other way is to have an anesthesiologist/anaesthetist give you sedation with propofol, which actually is a quick general anesthetic given IV. Instead of just taking away your memory of the procedure, propofol provides actual anesthesia, so that you don't feel the scope going through your guts. You should request an anesthesiologist, you almost always can get one. In the center where I work, you always get one, and many gastroenterologists work with anesthesiologists because it's much easier for them to do the scoping when the patient is still, instead of writhing and moaning. Amnesia does not take place for all patients!!!!! Listen carefully when a Doctor tells a patient they should have a colonoscopy they are told you won't remember anything and not you will not feel anything.

Answer 6

Yes, I had all four wisdom teeth removed several years ago. The sedation is nothing to be afraid of. I fell asleep immediately. You don't have time to be afraid really. They watch your vital signs on a screen, so there is no danger. You wake up some time later and are very groggy for an hour or so. There were no other side effects for me. I was so afraid, I put off having this done for years and it turned out to be nothing. You will be glad you had it done.

Answer 7

Yes and I would not have it done any other way. You are out before you know it and you wake up a little dizzy but you don't experience much pain after. I had my top done last month and bottom 3 years ago. Really DO NOT BE SCARED. The sedation is usually prefered by dentist.

Answer 8

There are loads of different types of medication used for sedation so its impossible to give side effects. After you will not be able to drive, operate machinery (incuding the cooker! lol) and most will advise that you do not sign any legal documents (Strange but true). The gums will be very sore but you should be given medication for that and antibacterial mouthwash. Good luck, its not something I'd like to have done under sedation, they can knock me out cold! hehehe

Answer 9

Only had a top one removed (never grew any bottom + none show on x-ray) guess not much wisdom 4 me. Anyway took 2 strong painkillers b4 went had out through numbing injection- absolutely fine, just had that funny dribbling thing going on, endured more embarrassment than pain. Pain did come when i had bit my cheek through numbness. Just keep on top of painkillers. Think it's fear of dentist people have-how many people out there for years thought it was always the drill for everyone the sound, when actually most the time it's someone having a polish!!

Answer 10

If this is the sedation which is not anaesthesia, then it is a dream. I had teeth pulled in the dentists chair with this sedation. You wont know a thing and you wake up with no side affects. They tell you not to sign any legal documents for 24 hours. (it is the drug called rohypnol). Fantastic. 100 times better than being awake. Trust me.