General Anaesthetic for 1 Wisdom Tooth removal???

[seoda24]

Hi there,
It is looking like I may be having one lower wisdom tooth removed ( growing horizontally ) and fully grown which I was shown on my x- Ray. My question is- is it normal to have it removed under a GA?? This was suggested to me but will be discussing it further the next day with my dentist.I never thought I would have to be knocked out completely and this seems a big deal to me ( dental phobic me here so maybe my dentist knows that's the best way for the wimpy me...)I could understand if I was getting all 4 teeth removed but this is just 1 tooth.
Thanks guys any thoughts.....

[Bunbaker]

If the tooth is growing horizontally you might find it easier to have a GA. Your jaw will ache like hell while the dentist is digging around, even if the bit where the tooth is to come out is numb.

[Groovee]

It can depend on how the tooth is lying. My dd had a GA last year as she had an eye tooth which had gone up into her nose, and due to the amount of work she needs done we knew we would never get her into the chair for her orthodontic work and then jaw surgery.

[Jinglebells99]

Also a dental phobic here. I was referred initially to have mine out awake, but when the dental surgeon meet me and saw how nervous I am, he said I wasn't suitable to have it out that way, as would be quite traumatic. It was impacted, and at a difficult angle. I ended up having it out under general, and the surgeon offered to remove the upper one too, as it was at a strange angle too. It was fine, but knocked me for six for a couple of weeks. It was just an afternoon. My Dh collected me about an hour and a half after the op.

[seoda24]

Thanks so much for the replies.I have never had a GA before, just had IV sedation for fillings during the year.Tell me please (stupid question I know) but... Is this a theatre job as in wearing a gown etc etc .Sorry I am so scared at the thoughts of this.... I am the worlds worst patient and even a blood test is bad!!!My lovely dentist said we would discuss the whole the next day as she could probably see my face turning white at the thoughts.I just wish these things didn't phase me...:(Thank you

[GinInAJamJar]

If done under GA it would be in an operating theatre. However, you could probably stay in your own PJs instead of a gown as long as no metal on it (and so no underwired bra) and the top was a vest top/something that enabled the stickers for heart monitoring to be put on easily. Would depend on the anaethetist/hospitals policy though.

[Fluffy24]

I would be taking the GA!

[seoda24]

Really.... Oh I thought that the GA would involve more prep before and afterwards......Then again I don't know what it entails

[PullUpsAreTricky]

if you need sedation for fillings. Then you could have sedation for the extraction. It would be sensible to have the upper one removed at the same time especially if its in a poor position.

[Groovee]

My daughter wore her own clothes. They had her in and out in about 30 mins including recovery. She was eating yoghurt within about 20 mins of being on the ward and home around 90 mins post op. The surgeon saw us on the ward before she had come out of recovery.

She was left to last as being 14 she was the oldest on the ward. But would definitely recommend it for anyone who either needs a lot of work or phobic. I had prepared to do battle but the consultant was on our side but the dentist was disappointed as he wanted to do it then and there.

[Lictionary]

I had a GA for wisdom.tooth extraction. Just as well as I cannot imagine the horrible feelings being awake. I was sore for a few days but I had 4 removed and 1 molar as well as some additional dentistry work. Had meant to be 30 min op but was almost.an hour and 15min before they woke me up.

[Misnomer]

I had sedation for an impacted wisdom tooth removal. I'd never had any kind of dental work before so was pretty nervous but it was fine. I was pleasantly out of it, which was just as well as they had to cut it up in my jaw and remove it in pieces. It wasn't much fun to recover from, which took me aback but the actual procedure was fine. I'm surprised they would offer a general just because it carries a lot more risk.

[seoda24]

Interesting to read the experiences.This GA would just be for the one and only wisdom tooth that I have.Glad to read some reassuring stories, thanks folks

[puddymuddles]

I had a wisdom tooth pulled out in the dentists a few years ago with just the injection. It was fully grown but at an angle so was hurting the inside of my cheek. It came out easily and I didn't suffer much pain afterwards.

However I have just had a back molar tooth extracted (again in dentists with injection) and it took ages to get out. It was a horrible rotten tooth (I should have gone to dentist earlier) the tooth broke into bits and the root was crooked said the dentist so when the injection wore off it hurt loads and my mouth is still sore nearly a week afterwards!

I would avoid a GA if i could as surely you would feel a bit rough waking up from it also it would not stop the pain after the extraction.

[Jinglebells99]

Hi, I had to be at hospital for about 12pm. They were four other patients and they took us through to the ward where I got changed into a gown and was support stockings to wear. Blood pressure taken, chat with nurse, surgeon and anesthetist. They did me first as I was the most nervous . I was chatting to the anesthetist and next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery from a dream! I think I was only underestimate for about 30 mins and as I arrived back on the ward, they rang my Dh to come and get me in an hour. My mouth was uncomfortable for about 3 weeks afterwards and I did end up going back to my dentist to have the wound cleared as was causing me pain.

[seoda24]

Oh Jinglebells I am even nervous reading your description... it's the real deal alright!!! Wait until they meet the most nervous patient ever......:)))But, glad it worked out in the end for you

[soundsystem]

Definitely take the GA. I had it done without and it was pretty grim. Won't go into detail as doubt it would be helpful! All fine now but if I ever need to have another one out I will be insisting on being knocked out!

[Jinglebells99]

Oh, sorry, I was trying to reassure you! I had a bit of a laugh with the anesthetist. I told him my mother was allergic to penicillin and I think I have an allergy to hair dye and he said rather dryly, well I wasn't planning to dye your hair :D. And I said, I'm not going to die under the anaesthetic, am I?! When he came to see me after the op, he said, you didn't die then! The surgeon was very young and sweet too. Honestly, it was fine, much better than going through it awake!

[Adarajames]

I've had a back tooth extracted with sedation having previously had one done without which was horrific and left me ill with shock for weeks (I have ME so my system doesn't cooe well with things like shock) and it was fab, I have no recollection of it at all, and will def be plumping for that if need any more work in future.

Id be very reluctant to have a GA as when had one previously, ended up having to stay in for what was meant to be day surgery as was so sick and unwell from the GA, and took me months to recover (probably ME related, but my mum is also very ill after GA), and it's jut a lot harder in your system to recover from as well as the additional risks

[bettyberry]

I had my wisdom teeth taken out under a local. 2 rounds a month apart for each tooth because the swelling needed to go down. Turned out my tooth wasn't a straight forward extraction. Lots of rooting around. Much pain and part of me wished id gone for a GA but it was bearable and the dentist said I was a star patient . I couldn't have a GA though because GA after care meant I needed someone to take me home from the hospital and I had DCs to look after (single parent here) Local meant I could take myself home.

Whatever you decide though. Fill your ice cube trays ready because that ice on your jaw will feel incredible. Get a few pots of properly blended soup, custard, ready made jelly, yoghurt etc nothing with too many big bits in and If your dentist doesn't prescribe it get a good mouthwash to rinse your teeth after every meal for the first day or two because if you end up anything like I did you'll be too swollen to chew properly or get a tooth brush in your mouth. Also, whatever pain meds you prefer.

My tooth was a difficult extraction though, took nearly an hour. Jaw was still very stiff for a month after the first one came out due to all the rooting around. too me a good 3 months for it to get back to normal but I did have 2 bottom wisdom teeth out a month apart.

[BlackNoSugar]

I had all four of mine taken out under a GA, I was in my own clothes (pyjamas) but I had to wear paper knickers! I had a pre-med so no nerves at all, it was a really difficult extraction but no pain afterwards (I was on some good painkillers though), just a very stiff jaw.

Get a good mouthwash and some cottonbuds, my mouth felt disgusting when I woke up but I wasn't allowed to brush my teeth, a Q-tip dipped in Corsodyl was like heaven.

[LightNC]

It's OK, really it is. You are not the most nervous patient ever, I can vouch for that personally..
I did the gown and GA thing. There was no blood test or anything, just a chat, questions, and blood pressure taken. That's the only prep I recall on the day.

After about 3 mins with the anaesthetist, knew nothing more. Was under for quite some time. Recovered well, no pain, no stiffness. I would do it again without hesitation, if I had to.

[seoda24]

Oh ye are all just so good for taking the time to reply.Thumbs up!!I am laughing at the allergy to hair dye.Wait until they meet me, I have multiple allergies ( including latex)so they may be scared enough after I meet them!Well I will discussing it all with my dentist this month so I shall keep ye posted

[vickiB75]

Hi seoda24
I know this from years ago but how did it go? I've just been for appt today and been given GA as an option. I'm such an anxious, terrified patient....had hypnosis to just get me ok with appt stage!! Consultant was v nice and said either local or GA option but he'd suggest GA for v anxious patients...husband thinks I'm ridiculous.....

[es1988]

Hey vickiB75 - again, few months after your comment, but how did yours go? I can't even get myself to make an appointment. Haven't been to my dentist for 2 and a half years (so probably off the register now too! :(

[Danielle2304]

I've got mine on the 17/09/19 GA as having all 4 out at the same time so I'll let you know what it's like if you want when its done