Wisdom tooth extraction with LA and sedation

[minkies11]

Hi
Hoping for some advice!
I'm having a decayed upper wisdom tooth out at the end of the month and have been advised to have IV sedation and a LA.
I really dislike going to the dentist so go to a phobia clinic as they have been good to me in the past. I've never had a tooth out before and have a small mouth (!) So am nervous about someone tugging away trying to pull my tooth out. I've also never taken anything stronger than Ibuprofuen so am freaking out about sedation. I think it's called Midozolam or something which they administer via IV before I'm taken to 'The chair'. Not really bothered by the canull etc just really concerned about being spaced out as I dislike feeling any mental impairment. My DH says it's like having a quadruple vodka (shit comparison but best he can do lol) but it doesn't reassure me. But then if the extraction gets difficult I bet I will wish for it!
Any experience of sedation (not GA as I will apparently be conscious ) or advice extremely welcome. Nervously counting the days down

Hi! I have anxiety and it was recommended that I had sedation. I was more worried about sedation than having my wisdom teeth out! (I had three taken out in one go)
When I got on to the chair, I decided i really didn’t want sedation as I hated the idea of being spaced out or not ‘with it’ - I was the same when I had my children. Nothing that messes with your head was allowed!
And it was absolutely fine. The injections were hardly what I’d call painful and then I was numb. I felt no pain and just observed what was going on. I found it quite fascinating! One tooth was really hard to get out and I felt nothing. I had a good laugh with the surgeon and nurses after!
Do try some relaxation on yourself to keep calm, I remembered my exercises from the headspace app where you just clear your mind and focus on your breathing nice and slow. Counting works too while focusing on breathing. It works brilliantly.
Honestly it is nothing to worry about at all. You’ll be fine!

I’ve had the sedation twice for wisdom teeth extraction and incense for an endoscopy. Would recommend it - with the teeth I was pleasantly out of it and didn’t even think they had started the procedure when DH came in to get me afterwards! It honestly was ok.

Aw thanks for replying - trying not to be a wimp and failing miserably
Am thinking sedation was recommended as my dentist (nice fella) will struggle to reach my tooth and doesn't want to frighten me too much. Also wonder if the tooth will simply collapse under pressure as it is badly decayed and might need a bit of faffing to get it out. I'm going to ring them and ask if they can vary the amount of sedation given so I'm not completely gaga. Lovely DH is my responsible adult ( wait til they meet him - ha!) So know he'll at least get me home in one piece. Just feel more apprehensive about the sedation than anything else. They also will give me a codeine variant prescription after if Ibuprofen doesn't work. I had laser eye surgery years ago and ended up needing cocodamol due to a reaction to the eye drop anaesthetic - clinic just bundied me out of the door and told me to take paracetamol - ended up in A&E out of my mind with pain so am keen to have that option should I need it. Will trust my dentist that he's sussed me out and they have told me no pressure on the day re: sedation. Just nice to hear other people's experiences!

I've had sedation for a tooth extraction and also several endoscopies .

The dental was fine ,it's hard to explain but I didn't feel out of it but somehow just wasn't aware of what was happening .No after effects .

I've also had several teeth out just with injections .Dentists now seem able to give injections completely painlessly bless them . And I've never felt any pain ! Some of my extractions were of teeth that had broken and there was v little left of them .I was apprehensive but again ,no pain .

My dentist told me that removing a tooth involves more pushing than pulling .

I'd go for the sedation every time if available .I get v v tense in the chair and I'm always completely exhausted after a visit . And some back teeth are harder to access than others so sedation might make it easier for the dentist .

Your previous experience with laser eye surgery will really affect how you feel ,but you will be fine .And don't even go there with feeling like a wimp - dental procedures are awful to think about it .

I’ve had 3 wisdom teeth out under sedation. Highly recommend it.
One minute I was talking to the nurse about how our husbands are both welsh, next minute my husband was standing in the doorway waiting to collect me. I remember nothing. Perfect. 😀

I had all four wisdom teeth out with just LA and no sedation. Also another back tooth last year with LA only. My consultant recommended it as if they are pulling too much at your jaw you can tell them to stop and take a break. I had no problems at all with any of the extractions, and felt totally in control.

Good description Mini .It's amazing - a momentary absence but you don't feel woozy afterwards .

Though your DH won't know that,or that sofa ,slippers ,general inabilty to cook ,and need for coddling isn't the result

Guys - thank you so much! Love MN for things like this as you've made me feel so much better.

My big worries about sedation are bladder control (!) and babbling rubbish. Please someone tell me neither of these will happen!

Midazolam is bloody awesome. I have it as a pre med before ops. It's like being drunk but very happy and no sickness feeling. I laughed a lot and remember nothing
If it helps, I have TMJ and a small mouth and had an extraction of a back tooth with just local and it was fine. Lots of noise and pushing/pressure but no pain

Ollivander - laughing and dentist are not words I'm used to seeing in the same sentence thanks!
Big girl pants on now and will be glad when it's over.

I'm in the waiting room trying not to cry. Pathetic! At least MN to distract me .

Good luck! Go for the sedation. It was tears ago but I had wisdom teeth taken out with just a LA. Given the choice a bit of sedation sounds far preferable from what others have said.

You'll be ok. I was absolutely terrified of the GA and the midazolam was amazing

Yay all done. He couldn't get the cannula in my arm and I started to faint lol. Very embarrassing. Them he put it in my hand no problem - sedation was mild then tooth was miraculously out and gum stitched. Easy peasy. Dribbing like a fool now but much happier. Thanks for the support

Well done you ,though horrible about cannula difficulties .

So glad it's behind you !

Me too! They were fantastic. Can't praise them enough and cannula totally not his fault with all my wriggling around. Everyone who posted on here was right about the sedation. Do have to have another wisdom tooth out but not for a bit so won't be worried quite so much now.

Having lots of fluids and keeping hands and arms warm helps with cannulas .( just in case you have another sedation )

Conscious sedation was bloody marvellous when I had my wisdom teeth removed.
My only firm memories were nurse talking to me about the procedure - and then being told that they had finished.
I vagely remember hearing a drill, but that could have been from across the road for all I knew. I vaguely recall the radio playing.

And that was it.

I can feel it aching now so have ibuprofen, paracetamol and dyhidrocodiene just incase. Had an ibuprofen so hopefully that'll do me. Trying to sip at a weak sweet tea but I'm bloody starving! And really craving crap food oh no