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Original poster

Wisdom tooth extraction under general anaesthetic.

12 replies

MrsSaxon · 04/08/2010 22:27

I am having a wisdom tooth extracted on Saturday, just wondered what to expect.

I am quite nervous, never had a general.

OP posts:
snowmash · 04/08/2010 22:55

Bookmarking out of interest (I will have this done in the next few months, sorry I can't offer advice).

Original poster
MrsSaxon · 04/08/2010 22:56

Mine is horizontal, lower jaw. Will update you after procedure (shudder)

OP posts:
DrNortherner · 04/08/2010 22:58

I had all 4 out under GA in hospital. Felt very groggy afterwards, but it felt like I was waking up from the most deep amazing sleep. Wanted to tell the nurse to buggar off as she was saying my name to make me wake up!

I was talkng gibberish for the rest of the day and was quite sore, but so glad I had it done.

ssflower · 04/08/2010 22:59

Had all four out under general and am so glad it wasn't local. i am sure you will be fine, i was and that was 20yrs ago!

gigglewitch · 04/08/2010 23:03

don't worry. get some arnica tablets, and take them from friday, I've had lots of oral surgery and I absolutely promise you it makes a difference to the bruising/swelling side of things.
My last one was horizontal in the lower jaw, but was pushing other teeth and had bent all the metalwork that lives in there holding the rest of my lower jaw in place. They tell you about all sorts of stuff - mine was wrapped around a facial nerve and one of the risks was that they'd 'twang' the nerve and numb it either temporarily or permanently. This is where I honestly believe that the GA is a good thing - even though you're only asleep for less than half an hour, they can do what the hell they want with the tooth and look after all the nerves and stuff that you actually do need looking after.
Stick to soft foods for a couple of days, but other than that I promise you it's not that bad. The 'ache' went on for around ten days, so I ended up staying on painkillers for about that length of time. Take whatever pain relief you're given, and take it regularly. And before any local anaesthetic they've put in wears off. As soon as you feel your lips coming back to life, demand codeine

voleinahole · 05/08/2010 08:29

I had my lower wisdom teeth out under local with sedation. Don't remember anything at all - the drugs for the sedation make you forget. I felt a lot less groggy than post GA too but still had no memory of it. Are you interested in a local with sedation? I had the choice until right before they did it. Pain wise, it wasn't too bad - they had to cut away part of my jaw to remove them but it wasn't terrible. I just took over the counter pain relief.

The thing to watch for is infection. I think I was given antibiotics but a friend wasn't and the infection for her was not fun.

Good luck! It's never as bad as you think?

MathsMadMummy · 05/08/2010 08:35

I had my first WT out under local A, and it was awful, I could feel everything (although it didn't hurt much IYSWIM).

had the other three WT out all at once under general. I was utterly terrified, I'd never had GA before, but the nurse reassured me. I was telling them about our planned holiday while the GA took effect next thing I knew I was waking up, it didn't hurt but I had cotton wool in my mouth which was a bit yuk.

just keep the painkillers topped up, for me the pain wore off after a couple of days though I did look like I'd been beaten up!

oh yes, re: infection, I seem to remember being given corsodyl, it's a mouthwash that tends to be given by dentists because it's proper antibacterial stuff rather than just 'clean teeth' stuff, hence it helps to prevent infection. use it as directed!

DaisySteiner · 05/08/2010 08:41

I had my two lower wisdom teeth out under GA 6 years ago and it was totally and utterly fine. I was really, really anxious about it beforehand, but it wasn't unpleasant at all. I drifted off to sleep, woke up feeling really refreshed like I'd had a lovely night's sleep. I didn't have any pain at all and was eating sandwiches within an hour. You'll be fine.

Original poster
MrsSaxon · 05/08/2010 18:51

Thanks guys, not so nervous now.

I will get some arnica tablets, thanks for the tips!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSaxon · 08/08/2010 13:25

Well, it wasn't so bad after all. Arrived at the hospital at 7.30, luckily I was the 1st to go so went straight through.

The anesthetic was really quick, next thing I knew I was waking up. It was like after a really good sleep (with some strange dreams)

I came to, was offered a cup of water, then as soon as I could get dressed was free to go.

It was really sore yesterday, throat especially.

I have taken arnica and really strong painkillers and its much better today, still a bit swollen and sore but definitely on the mend.

Thanks for all the advice, arnica definitely has a place in the medicine cabinet now. Smile

OP posts:
gigglewitch · 10/08/2010 22:52

glad to hear you are ok, and keep on taking the arnica Wink

snowmash · 10/08/2010 23:14

I'm glad it went well for you!

I'm nervous as it now looks like I'll be having WT and an U6 out :/ (worried about dry socket as I use a straw to drink).

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