Getting wisdom teeth removed, should I go under?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

BudAshes

Lifer
Jul 20, 2003
13,992
3,348
146
The gas was useless for me, but the procedure wasn't that bad. I had 4 taken out 3 impacted and the only part that really sucked was it took a while. He had to really crank a couple of them out. It did hurt but to be honest not as bad as some other dental procedures I've had done. I wouldn't want to go under unless I absolutely had to.
 

Pr0d1gy

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2005
7,774
0
76
Mine didn't hurt at all. Didn't go under & don't think it would matter if I did. The only thing that really sucked was all that crap you have to keep in your mouth to control the bleeding for an hour or ten afterwards (don't recall how long exactly). That stuff made me gag.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
25,015
3
81
www.integratedssr.com
The gas was useless for me, but the procedure wasn't that bad. I had 4 taken out 3 impacted and the only part that really sucked was it took a while. He had to really crank a couple of them out. It did hurt but to be honest not as bad as some other dental procedures I've had done. I wouldn't want to go under unless I absolutely had to.

me too. gas was completely useless.
 

MrColin

Platinum Member
May 21, 2003
2,403
3
81
mine were sideways, impacted, and not exposed at all. They didn't even ask if I wanted general or not, it was more of a hospital than a dentists' office. I just remember the nurse telling me to count backwards from 10 and bam, it was done, next I know I'm in the parking lot trying to talk my aunt into letting me drive.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
I used local when I had all mine removed. In fact, my surgery involved the removal of 9 teeth total because I had 5 extra teeth under my gums that he went ahead and removed.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,679
18,023
126
Why the hell do you need to be unconscious to have your teeth pulled?
 

chin311

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
4,306
3
81
Don't waste the money getting knocked out, IMO. I had two removed about 3 years ago, did the gas + numbing. Also popped a small Xanax before heading in. I was so out of it I didn't know what was happening lol, felt like it took 30 seconds by the time it was over.

But yes, the aftermath is far worse and that is the same no matter which route you take. Just be ready for no solids, a bloody mess and watch out for dry sockets!! It was my life goal at that point to avoid them as I heard they are far far worse then any part of the surgery/recovery process.
 

Magusigne

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2007
1,550
0
76
There are many variables to your question.

Firstly, your not going completely under. Otherwise you would be on a vent. Your going into a twilight sleep..risks are minimal. I had 2 partially impacted wisdom teeth, and 2 regular fully erupted ones. The sleep was great...was a little nervous going under..woke up and seriously felt like I had the best nap of my life.

+1 vote for the twilight
-1 Vote for general numbing...you'll be fairly traumautized by the amount of crunching and twisting they will do;p
 

Tobolo

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
3,697
0
0
My wife works for an oral surgeon and they recommend anyone that has an impacted tooth go under, since it usually a worse surgery.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
I've had a lot of work done to my mouth in my life, and have gotten both general and local anesthesia for procedures. My personal preference by far is general; not because of the pain, but because I don't like being even semi-aware of people cutting and poking around in my mouth. When I got all four of my wisdom teeth out the doctor asked what I wanted and I chose general.

If oral surgery skeeves you out or makes you nervous like it does to me, then you want general. Having a better state of mind about the procedure is absolutely worth the extra $250 IMO.
 
Last edited:

darkewaffle

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2005
8,152
1
81
I got mine all taken out a few years ago with local anesthesia with no problems. Though I have no idea if they were in 'good' or 'bad' spots at all, but I didn't feel a thing and it seemed pretty quick and easy.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
I was the biggest wuss and let 2 cavities go on and fester for years. One in my wisdom tooth and another in a molar next to it. I lived with the pain for years and being unable to eat cold things and sometimes chew on that side of my mouth. It was only after my gf refused to kiss me anymore bc the cavities made my breath so horrible that I just bit the bullet and went in for a consultation. I ended up getting the wisdom tooth pulled and needed a root canal on the molar followed by a gold crown.

I was shitting bricks in the dentist chair before it all started. I always had a fear of the dentist and any kind of surgical procedure on my mouth. All I'm going to say is the novocaine is GREAT. I absolutely felt zero pain. If I started to feel anything the dentist showed no hesitation in giving another injection to numb the area even more. I felt like such an idiot after though. The entire procedure was so smooth and about as painless as can be that I wish I didn't wait so many years to get my teeth fixed.

Bottom line you don't need to be put out completely for an extraction. Just tell the dentist if you experience any pain and you will be given another dose of local. Anything more than local anesthesia is overkill.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,155
635
126
My wife works for an oral surgeon and they recommend anyone that has an impacted tooth go under, since it usually a worse surgery.
That's because people are babies when it comes to the dentist.

My mom used to get cavities drilled and filled with no anesthesia. I had my 4 wisdom teeth (2 impacted) pulled only with a local anesthetic. Like others have said, lots of pressure but no pain. Didn't have much pain after it wore off either. So really, can't complain at all. Have to say though, very odd to see the guy using what amounts to a large punch and hammer to break the impacted teeth and pull out the pieces.
 
Feb 10, 2000
30,029
67
91
It's not general anaesthesia they use anyway (or at least it wasn't when I had this done). I had IV Valium. I was actually awake the entire time, and theoretically they can even talk to you, but I had no pain and no memory of the procedure. I believe they use the same stuff for colonoscopies.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
No idea, but LUBE YOUR LIPS. Seriously... most painful part when I removed my wisdom teeth was the torn lip from when they pryed my mouth open.
 

jlarsson

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2001
1,050
0
76
I had all 4 wisdom teeth taken out at once (3 impacted). I chose to go under. Surgery on Friday, back to work on Monday.
 

2Dead

Senior member
Feb 19, 2005
886
1
81
I didn't go under when the pulled out my left side. The top was ok but the bottom one was bad. One of the roots cracked when they were pulling it out and cut my gums. I still felt it with the local anesthesia. It took weeks to heal. I had them put me under for the right half. The bottom was also pretty bad but I had no pain at all. I didn't even take any pain medication the second time.
 

Magusigne

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2007
1,550
0
76
Here is the bottom line.

If you have more than one partially impacted...definately go with something..if you can spare the change..the twilight sleep is worth every penny.

If they are all fully erupted and not impacted, and not terribly squeamish..then go for the local numbing. I was back to work the next day after my surgery (This has probably nothing to do with the fact that I had the twilight).

If erupted=local
If partially impacted on 2 or less (at least get the nos)
If impacted or all are partially impacted go to sleep..lol
 

Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2000
6,369
0
71
Yes.

MAke sure to use frozen peas and frozen corn for icing. They form around the face very nicely and are perfect icing the face and jaw.
 

tynopik

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2004
5,245
500
126
It's not a big deal, get it frozen, they'll pull it out, you'll be out of there in under an hour. The pain only comes up after it starts to unfreeze, and it's really not that bad. My dentist had told me to suck on hard candy to help with the blood, so I was just raiding the peppermint jar at the reception desk at work. :D Not often a dentist tells you to eat candy.

um, everything I've read about wisdom teeth is to avoid all sucking (straws, etc) to prevent dry socket
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
I've done it both ways. It isn't that bad to be awake, so if you can handle it save some dough. If it makes you woozy or nervous at all, get knocked the fuck out because it still is pretty intense.
 

Malfeas

Senior member
Apr 27, 2005
829
0
76
I had all mine taken out while I was in the Navy. Novacain, a pair of dental pliers, and knees on my chest.
 

Krazy4Real

Lifer
Oct 3, 2003
12,221
55
91
I did the twilight sleep when I had mine removed. They were impacted. Apparently I was able to respond and answer questions, but I don't remember any of the procedure. I "woke up" and it was all over. It was glorious.