Can I choose to have my wisdom teeth removed under general as opposed to local anaesthetic?

Question

I have recently been told that I need to have my upper wisdom teeth removed, my dentist said he will do the procedure in the dentist chair under local anaestetic. I am seriously not very good about things to do with my teeth and I'm pertified about having the procedure done. I smashed my front tooth in half in an accident earlier this year and it's left me very nervous of anything to do with my teeth. There is no way that I can sit there and have my teeth crunched and cracked whilst I'm concious of it (big wimp I know but the idea of it really freaks me out!).
Does anybody know if I can request to have them removed under general anastetic at the Hospital even though my dentist says he can do them?

Answer 1

I just had my wisdom teeth removed 5 days ago. I had all 4 removed and had no problems so far. I had the procedure done by an oral surgeon, I highly recommend going to a specialist, not to a hospital or regular dentist for this, because the oral surgeon has obviously had a lot of practice with this and they will take very good care of you. She gave me the option of being under general anastetic or sedation, she recommended sedation so I chose that. They gave me laughing gas and sedation through an IV in my arm. After about 30 seconds, I felt the sedation start to kick in. I was conscious through the whole operation but barely. Then they started to work away on removing my wisdom teeth. Even though I could hear my teeth cracking (I too get squismish at that sound) and them tugging forcefully at my teeth, it didn't bother me one bit. I was so much in La La Land that nothing could have bothered me at that point. That was some good stuff. lol :)

The 1st day I had some bleeding, but after a few change of dressings it stopped that same day. 1st and 2nd day I could only eat room temperature or cold, soft foods like ice cream, smoothies, milkshakes, yogurt, etc. The 3rd day I pretty much back to eating normal foods. And have had no pain what so ever due to taking Vicodin.

I was also petrified about having this procedure done, I had put it off for a very long time, to the point where my wisdom teeth were infected and I had no choice but to get them removed. Other people scared me with their horror stories but I now realize that it really varies from person to person. I am so glad that I got this done, I wish I would have got it done sooner.

Answer 2

You have been given good advice. Only you know how your child reacts to change. I suppose he needs so much work done because he wouldn't cooperate before. If he can tolerate it, get a duplicate mask and have him play putting it on and breathing in it. See if he can tolerate a visit to the office where the work will be done. Sit in the chair and show him how it's safe. Let him try. Anything that will scare him can be covered up. Do whatever you can to keep him from panicking before he is put under. He will be in a lot of pain and have discomfort for a few days after this work is done. I don't know if you should warn him or not. If he can tolerate medication, just have the pain pills or Tylenol on hand which will make him much more comfortable. Figure out what you will do if he just refuses or begins to fight. Sometimes you can be given medication that will relax him and make him sleepy before you go into the office so he will be more amenable. Good luck. You probably should check at the national autism programs or your local autism support groups to see if your dentist needs more information and get suggestions or a referral from other parents. Something I notice myself--I wish anesthesia could be started when I am partially sitting up rather than flat on my back. I seem to breathe easier that way and don't feel so vulnerable. I can tolerate that feeling, so have never asked if this is even possible..

Answer 3

A little info I think should be considered about this drug Versed ( Midazolam ) that is used for Sedation for many medical procedures..Sedation and General Anesthesia are not the same and quite a few people being given Sedation
think they are being given General Anesthesia!

There is simply no good or valid reason to ever purposely induce amnesia during a medical procedure. It is only a recent development in medical thinking that amnesia is somehow a "benefit" to the patient. On occasion some
some patients will remember a bad experience. Forgetting does not mean it did not happen!!
I feel that if people were aware of the effects of this drug they would Opt For Another Drug!
Erasing someones memory of what was done to them is wrong!!
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!!!!


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.....

I feel that giving a drug for amnesia is cruel I would not want it done to me!

A strange development in medical thinking that it's okay for a patient to have
pain as long as they don't remember it and think they slept thru the procedure..


Here is a link for some info

http://www.freehelpforcancer.com/manages...

Answer 4

I am about to get the Tee-shirt, I have to have a wisdon tooth removed from the top and a root-canal on the bottom and I have chosen to have this done under sedation on the same day...am I tough or what!...but no, I am a wimp as well when it comes to dentists, however the first time I visited the dentist (in 16 years) was on the NHS and I did not feel happy about the up coming treatment so I went to a private clinic for a check up, It is going to cost me a whole lot more but I am putting my money where my mouth is!, I am told by my sister in law ( who has been sedated before at the dentisits) that it feels like being with the fairies, we shall see, but I am still scared. Best thing to do is talk it over to reasure yourself, once it is done it is done and you will feel a whole lot better either way!

Answer 5

I had my wisdom teeth removed 5 weeks ago under general anesthesia. There are problems there, too. Although you will not remember the surgery consider this: I cried for hours afterwords. A side effect of the general anesthesia. My left hand turned dark purple (it's still sort of greenish) and I have hard lumps in the vein where the needle was inserted that hurt if they are touched. I've posted a question in this same forum looking to see if this is normal or not.

Please remember, too, that upper wisdom teeth are not as difficult. Mine were lower. If it were only my uppers I would have only had the local done.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I'm sure that your dentist will be more than happy to talk to you about the issue. They usually dont do wisdom teeth in hospitals any more. I got mine out a year and a half ago and you go to an oral surgeon. Remember though, most times insurance doesnt cover all of wisdom teeth cause they consider it a cosmetic surgery. Crap yes I know but I had to shell out two grand for my teeth. And general anesthetics cost lots of dollars fyi. Talk to your dentist I'm sure he'll be able to make you aware of all your options.

Answer 7

if you can do it under local, isn't that better than taking a risk with general? At worst you could die. Aren't you scared of that more?

Honestly, once you have a local, you won't feel it. I was scared shitless about having root canal. Everyone says how painful and horrible it is, but after the jabs, it didn't hurt and I've had three done! (my teeth suck)

No one likes the dentist and it's normal to hate needles. Truth is, the anaesthetic stops the pain.

Answer 8

Every individual is different some dentists recommend they are done in hospital if the procedure looks to be complicated, if your dentist can do them under local that's the best option as it involves the least risk to you in regards to the anaesthetic, but if you insist then your dentist should refer you to have them removed either under general or sedation. You cannot be forced to have them removed by him.

Answer 9

There are many dentists that specialize in sedation or sleep dentistry. If you are near a reasonably sized metro area you can probably find one by searching for sedation or sleep dentistry.

This type of dentistry costs more than a regular dentist and there may be differences in insurance coverage. If you find one in your area I'm sure they will be happy to answer any questions you have about the costs, insurance and any additional risks.

Answer 10

Im terrified of the dentist too, I have to have some 'happy juice' before I even have a check up!!!

My dentist gives me a dose of temazepam and it totally relaxes me. I hate the sound of drills and cracking pulled teeth etc, but when ive had the temazepam, I couldnt give a monkeys. Fantastic stuff - I just dont care, feel very very relaxed and calm, the sounds dont even bother me, ive even drifted off to sleep once when the dentist was working inside my mouth, and the nurse had to poke me awake!!!

I can highly recommend it, im a total wuss with the dentist, but once ive had the temazepam I wouldnt care if he was drilling with a pneumatic road drill, honest!!