Wisdom Teeth Removal

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi all,

I am just wondering if those of you who have had your Wisdom teeth removed as adults could share you experiences with me.

I am scheduled to have them out in a couple weeks and am quite nervous about it and am wondering how you all made out. Was there a ton of pain? How long until you were able to go about your normal activities ? Did you have sedation or did you just get local numbing and suck it up?

I am booked for couscous sedation, but I am thinking about just getting the local, if you did this how bad was it?

Annie

I had my wisdom teeth removed at age 26. I didn't opt for sedation because I wanted to drive myself. I didn't find any of it painful; I used Ibuprofen and was fine. I had the procedures (two visits) on Friday mornings, and went back to work Monday. Good luck ! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had all four out at once in my early 20s. It was done under local. It wasn't that big a deal. I didn't have a lot of pain afterwards. The oral surgeon prescribed me some kind of opioid for after. I think I took a dose the first evening, and I was fine with Motrin after that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

I was 30, put under, likely because all but one of my molars were severely impacted or partially under gum line. Had it done Friday afternoon (as suggested by oral surgeon) and back at work Monday. Fri/Sat I did use a prescription to manage pain and after ibuprofen was sufficient. While some discomfort, I feel the recovery from root canal I had recently was more painful than those extractions.

Everyone is different though. My husband had all his wisdom teeth extracted as well and took only ONE ibuprofen immediately after and was good. He has about an average tolerance for pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had all 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed when I was 16, so my experience is probably not relevant. Just thought you'd enjoy knowing how it was done in "olden times."

In my day you were admitted to the hospital the night before surgery and released POD 1. It was done under general anesthesia. Two nights in the hospital for wisdom teeth extraction! I had no pain meds after surgery. No tylenol. No aspirin. Nothing. I remember being uncomfortable but no real pain. The worst for me was I was on liquids only for 2 weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Man, please sign me up for couscous sedation. I'm keto and I would love to get into that. :)

On a side note, I was born without wisdom teeth, so unfortunately I have no advice to give. My dentist told me I'm "evolved".

Best of luck with your procedure, let us know how it went.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Thanks everyone for your responses, I feel a bit better now about going through with it! I was going to just suck it up and not get the sedation, but after listening to your stories and watching some youtube videos I'm getting the drugs for sure!!

Annie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Had first one out with local,went fine but next day had horrible pain,swelling,and had to start antibiotics as all my teeth were hurting.Never went back for the second one, on consult was told I will need general, in the OR,that bone might break, and all that goes with it.Have not scheduled it yet and dont plan to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Had all four out while in college, under conscious sedation. I did it over a long weekend, and threw up once. Took narcotics for a few days, and my Mom was diligent about switching our the ice packs. (I think she felt bad, she had told a surgeon I didn't need pain meds after a rhinoplasty a few months earlier) My advice would be to eat lightly the day before, and if you are really nervous ask your oral surgeon for a valium for the night before. Also if you can get the meds filled before it's way less stressful. I hope it is tolerable!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really do not want the sedation because it makes you feel like crap for a couple of days, but its the needle.

Annie

I know everyone recovers differently, but I've always felt perfectly fine the next day. I've never felt like crap for 2 days with conscious sedation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
I know everyone recovers differently, but I've always felt perfectly fine the next day. I've never felt like crap for 2 days with conscious sedation.

I'm just going by my previous experience when I had my jaw wired shut, but of course that involved some trauma, lack of sleep for about a day or two before, and a day or two after, so I guess it may have been that. I will find out I guess.... maybe they gave me to much when I had my jaw done. That was also the first time I had every had narcotics or benzos so that could have been it, this will be the second time.. :D

Annie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mine were impacted so I had sedation. I woke up after they were removed and thought I was at work. Apparently, I was trying to get up (half asleep) and do rounds on my (imaginary) patients.

I had some minor discomfort after the surgery (4 teeth removed) and only had to take one dose of my Dilaudid (uhh... side note: Dilaudid?!?) I didn't have bruising or much bleeding. However, I was a little grossed-out by flushing the gaping holes where my teeth used to be so that food wouldn't be trapped in them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

I am 52 and just had the last two removed a year ago. My wisdom teeth all came in straight, just not all the way.

The top two I had removed in my 20's due to abscesses, the bottom two because they had cavities.

I did have the oral sedation (pills one hour before). I had the greatest oral surgeon. The pain was not bad, just had to watch what I ate for a couple days.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment