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Original poster

Wisdom tooth removal under general anaesthetic or sedation - terrified

38 replies

scaredddd · 23/04/2026 13:54

I need to have one of my lower wisdom teeth taken out. I had an attempted removal with local anaesthetic that had to be stopped as the anaesthetic wasn't having any effect despite numerous injections. It has led me to have a fear of the dentist and I haven't been back since. I was referred to the hospital to have it out under either sedation or general anaesthetic. I met with the dental surgeon and he agreed for it to be out on general anaesthetic. I've since been on the waiting list for 3 years and largely forgotten about it. The wisdom tooth causes me no pain but several dentists have affirmed that needs to come out as it has damaged the molar next to it. The dental surgeon also said I should have the top wisdom tooth out too, even though it's perfectly healthy and erupted? I don't know why.

I'm now at the top of the waiting list and need to get booked in and I'm terrified. I have never had general anaesthetic before so I'm scared of that. I'm not scared of the procedure, but more the recovery. I'm scared of feeling 'trapped' in pain and scared to swallow, drink water, or go to sleep in case I dislodge the clot and getting dry socket. I'm scared of getting dry socket and not being able to access a dentist/it happening in the middle of the night and having to wait. I've never had tooth ache before so have nothing to compare it to but it sounds horrendous.

Also practically, the receptionist said I wouldn't need any time off from work only a few hours in the morning for the procedure but online it says I would likely need time off after a general anaesthetic?

Has anyone had a tooth removed with general anaesthetic or sedation and could advise on how it went?

OP posts:
lostinmagic · 23/04/2026 19:53

I'm on the waitlist to get two bottom wisdom teeth out, I've had my initial consultation and had agreed to get them out under local but reading these replies I'm regretting that decision 😅

BridgetJonesV2 · 23/04/2026 20:07

I had 3 out under local - it was fine, just uncomfortable due to having to have your mouth very wide open for a period of time. I did get a lot of swelling and struggling eating for a good few days.

The 4th one had twisted roots and is still there! I'm 55, never had a GA and never want to unless it's life or death.

Original poster
scaredddd · 23/04/2026 20:13

Thanks everyone. I am trying to psyche myself up about it but I'm really panicking. Idk whether to ask to have sedation instead as the thought of a GA is also scaring me

OP posts:

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Dental health General health
Iliketulips · 23/04/2026 21:23

To anyone worried about having a wisdom tooth out under local, DH had this done recently - tooth came our really easy and he just had to be careful about hot drinks and eat soft. It was much easier than another tooth he had out a few weeks - just wanted to let you know it's not a bad experience for everyone.

Needmoresleep89 · 23/04/2026 21:32

I’ve had a tooth removed previously with local anaesthetic and it was fine, but for some reason I could still feel it with my upper wisdom tooth even after the max dose. The dentist suggested it was in my head and sedated me, but when I came round the nurse said I was still complaining of it hurting whilst sedated and they had to hold me down. I don’t remember a thing which is lovely, but the idea of that freaks me out so if I needed another out I’d go for GA.

tinyviolinforme · 24/04/2026 08:08

Needmoresleep89 · 23/04/2026 21:32

I’ve had a tooth removed previously with local anaesthetic and it was fine, but for some reason I could still feel it with my upper wisdom tooth even after the max dose. The dentist suggested it was in my head and sedated me, but when I came round the nurse said I was still complaining of it hurting whilst sedated and they had to hold me down. I don’t remember a thing which is lovely, but the idea of that freaks me out so if I needed another out I’d go for GA.

This is what I’m worried about - I don’t want to go through something and then forget it.

SirChenjins · 24/04/2026 08:14

DS's GF had her wisdom tooth out recently under GA - like you, she was absolutely terrified but she was in and out, and home before she knew it. Had a few days off work, took her pain killers, and followed the instructions from the hospital, and it was all good. Take the GA - they're brilliant things!

WilfredsPies · 24/04/2026 14:53

I had all of mine out under GA when I was 18 or 19. My first and only time under GA. It was so easy. I did feel a bit tender when I woke up, but by the time I was back on the ward (I had to stay in overnight because of some other medical stuff), I was gently nibbling on a cheese sandwich. And I swung the lead and got the rest of the week off, but I could really have gone back the next day.

The worst thing about the whole procedure was rinsing my mouth with warm salt water to help the healing. I don’t know if they still recommend that, but it was horrible. Other than that, I’d do it again tomorrow if I grew another set.

ForgotMyLoginAgain · 24/04/2026 15:29

I was told by a private dentist many years ago that i needed all 4 of mine out as the bottom two are partially erupted horzontally impacted and he said you need the top two as well as they will overerupt. He told me to lie to NHS dentist and say they were casuing pain otherwise they will not remove them.

Anyway i was too scared so never went through with it. It's now been 15 years? Teeth still okay. No pain. Just have to clean them thoroughly with interdental brushes.

FruitBadger · 24/04/2026 15:44

I've had sedation for dental work (extractions, fillings and a crown) a few times, I really struggle with injections into my gums so opt for sedation when the dentist says I need a local.

My dentist explained to me that generally sedation is preferred for dental work as you are conscious and therefore in control of your own breathing. With a GA you are unconscious and therefore need tubes to help you breathe, which get in the dentist's way.

I have absolutely no recollection of any of the work that was done, which is exactly what I wanted. No dental work was carried out before I was sedated, apart from an examination. The sedation was administered via an IV into the back of my hand, while sitting in the dentist's chair. I was told to ciunt backwards from 10 and don't remember ever reaching 1; the next thing I recall is being woken up by a dental nurse.

I could not have driven after the procedure and I slept for most of the day afterwards each time. I didn't have children then but I wouldn't have wanted to be in charge of small children until the following day, teenagers that can fend for themselves would have been fine. The worst part of Wisdom teeth removal for me was the stiff jaw afterwards. That took a few days to settle but I was 18 so it might be a worse recovery as an older adult!

Hope this helps to reassure you.

MyNeedyLilacBird · 24/04/2026 15:52

I have a fear of the dentist and had 2 wisdom teeth out under sedation. Even had a tooth implant with local (but honeslty thst was easier than a filling). I honeslty remember nothing of the sedation. I remember the person putting the drip in my arm and counting back from 10, then next thing I looked over to the corner of the room and my husband was sat there. Asked him what he was doing as we were just getting started. Turns out teeth were already out and didn't know a thing. I'd actually be too scared to go for GA but would definitely recommend sedation

Boomer55 · 24/04/2026 16:19

scaredddd · 23/04/2026 13:54

I need to have one of my lower wisdom teeth taken out. I had an attempted removal with local anaesthetic that had to be stopped as the anaesthetic wasn't having any effect despite numerous injections. It has led me to have a fear of the dentist and I haven't been back since. I was referred to the hospital to have it out under either sedation or general anaesthetic. I met with the dental surgeon and he agreed for it to be out on general anaesthetic. I've since been on the waiting list for 3 years and largely forgotten about it. The wisdom tooth causes me no pain but several dentists have affirmed that needs to come out as it has damaged the molar next to it. The dental surgeon also said I should have the top wisdom tooth out too, even though it's perfectly healthy and erupted? I don't know why.

I'm now at the top of the waiting list and need to get booked in and I'm terrified. I have never had general anaesthetic before so I'm scared of that. I'm not scared of the procedure, but more the recovery. I'm scared of feeling 'trapped' in pain and scared to swallow, drink water, or go to sleep in case I dislodge the clot and getting dry socket. I'm scared of getting dry socket and not being able to access a dentist/it happening in the middle of the night and having to wait. I've never had tooth ache before so have nothing to compare it to but it sounds horrendous.

Also practically, the receptionist said I wouldn't need any time off from work only a few hours in the morning for the procedure but online it says I would likely need time off after a general anaesthetic?

Has anyone had a tooth removed with general anaesthetic or sedation and could advise on how it went?

I had 4 removed, in one day, with just the ‘gum numb’ local. No problem at all.

Greybeardy · 24/04/2026 21:17

FruitBadger · 24/04/2026 15:44

I've had sedation for dental work (extractions, fillings and a crown) a few times, I really struggle with injections into my gums so opt for sedation when the dentist says I need a local.

My dentist explained to me that generally sedation is preferred for dental work as you are conscious and therefore in control of your own breathing. With a GA you are unconscious and therefore need tubes to help you breathe, which get in the dentist's way.

I have absolutely no recollection of any of the work that was done, which is exactly what I wanted. No dental work was carried out before I was sedated, apart from an examination. The sedation was administered via an IV into the back of my hand, while sitting in the dentist's chair. I was told to ciunt backwards from 10 and don't remember ever reaching 1; the next thing I recall is being woken up by a dental nurse.

I could not have driven after the procedure and I slept for most of the day afterwards each time. I didn't have children then but I wouldn't have wanted to be in charge of small children until the following day, teenagers that can fend for themselves would have been fine. The worst part of Wisdom teeth removal for me was the stiff jaw afterwards. That took a few days to settle but I was 18 so it might be a worse recovery as an older adult!

Hope this helps to reassure you.

just to clarify, sedation isn't always the safest option - sometimes GA is safer, and when a patient's having a GA we can put the breathing tube in via the nose instead of the mouth to make more room for them.

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