Wisdom Teeth Removal

[AnnieOaklyRN]

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

[T-Bird78]

Do they HAVE to come out? I'm 40 and still have mine and they're going to stay put unless they cause me problems. They're all there, all sideways, but we have an agreement--they don't bother me, and they get to stay put. LOL. If I were to ever have to get them out, I'd do the conscious sedation and force everybody to lock their phones in their cars so no embarrassing videos could be posted on YouTube. LOL. Good luck!!

[emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN]

There are many factors when it comes to this. Why do they need to come out? Are they impacted? If so, how far are they impacted?

I had #17/32 extracted when I was 19 during orthodontic tx. #1/16 were too impacted, had to wait years for them to move enough for extraction. Both times I requested general anesthesia. (I am the worst when it comes to pain) When I had the maxilla removed, I stupidly ate a slice of banana and I couldn't have general.... I still didn't remember anything, it was just as well. The second time I did have general and again didn't remember a thing.

The pain is minimal as long as you stay on top of it with whatever you take. Make sure to use ice and follow all instructions so that you do not develop osteitis (dry socket) which is extremely painful. I developed dry sockets on the mandible due to lack of adherence. To this day I feel it was the most painful thing I have dealt with.

If you have any questions about the procedure itself, please feel free to ask. I have been a dental assistant for 22 years.

Best of luck,

[Amethya]

... y'all are gonna hate me, BUTTTT... I never grew in my wisdom teeth. They are just not there, and I'm 27. My last dentist was surprised and said it's slightly rare for this to happen, but she confirmed it.

But my mother has gotten them before and all I can recommend that you do get sedation, as you don't know your pain tolerance for this and just make sure you have someone to take you home afterwards. I had to drive my mother to her appointment and back, but she got them done and she was fine.

[Amethya]

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.

me too! We are evolved beings!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I had mine out years ago at the age of 27. One at a time, with just a local. I watched with a hand-held mirror. For the lower ones, the roots had curved into hooks and had to be broken into pieces to be removed safely.

I had significant pain afterwards, but the Tylenol #3 took care of it very well. Had them out on a series of Fridays ... went back to work on Monday.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

When I had the maxilla removed, I stupidly ate a slice of banana and I couldn't have general....

I have dreams that I have a surgery scheduled and I forget and eat breakfast. Or I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy but realize when I get into the OR that I forgot to do the prep.

I don't seem like an anxious person, but if a psychologist saw a log of my dreams, she'd likely conclude that I need help.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Do they HAVE to come out? I'm 40 and still have mine and they're going to stay put unless they cause me problems. They're all there, all sideways, but we have an agreement--they don't bother me, and they get to stay put. LOL. If I were to ever have to get them out, I'd do the conscious sedation and force everybody to lock their phones in their cars so no embarrassing videos could be posted on YouTube. LOL. Good luck!!

HAHA, I was all about the keeping them in, but unfortuanalty they are partially erupted and they keep getting infected which is about 5 days of significant pain, so yes they must come out. I have one on the top and that one is staying since its complete under the gum and has not caused any issues.

Annie

[RegisteredNuisance, RN]

I had mine out when I was about 25 or 26. They were all growing in at a severe angle and it was causing me a decent bit of pain in my lower jaw. As with all testimonies, I preface mine by saying your mileage may vary. Everyone has different pain tolerances/experiences etc. They put me completely out - I'm not completely sure whether that's conscious sedation or not.

That said, my wisdom teeth removal was all four - two on the top, two on the bottom. They took my vitals, started an IV, stuck an oximeter on my finger and put a nasal cannula in my nose. Unbeknownst to me the sedative was already running when they put the nasal cannula in and I remember asking the assistant if the oxygen had an additive that was making me dizzy and she said something to the effect of, "no, that's just the-" and it was curtains until I woke up. You don't dream, you just don't exist until you wake up. Not scary or painful at all.

Pain wise, I had zero pain at all, but I took two Norco tabs when I got home and slept for the rest of the day. They'll write you a script for some kind of pain reliever before you leave. Don't take that stuff for longer than you need. I had terrible insomnia after just a few days of taking it once I stopped.

Overall conscious sedation is the way to go if you want it over and done with and have a day off to spare. I've had terrible teeth my whole life and the whole novocaine, hold your mouth open for hours, try not to drown in your own spit thing is super uncomfortable. Don't feel like you have to suck it up. If your dentist offers you conscious sedation and you'd rather do that, do it. Just make sure someone drives you home and maybe make you a soft meal in the evening.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Thanks again everyone. About a week and a half until "R Day". I have decided for sure that I will do Nitrous and local, after your posts and looking at some youtube videos. The only part I am terrified about is the shots to deliver the local, not a fan, so as long as I get some serious Nitrous for that I should be fine, after that I don't care what they do.

I truly hate the feeling the sedation gives you and I have some days off from work and I want to be productive on them, rather than still high as a kite! As I said it's really just the shots I have major anxiety over and not the pulling the teeth out part, so i have to just suck it up I guess since I don't want to feel like crap for three or four days like last time. It is also 900.00 less out of my pocket for the nitrous versus the IV sedation, which is another plus!

I wil let you know how it goes...

Annie

[abbnurse]

Good luck, Annie ! I always close my eyes during the injections...and try to go to a nice, happy place in my mind. Hard to do with a needle in your mouth, though! :)

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

So I got it done today! I have to say I had an awesome oral surgeon, barely felt the shots, although I was a bit buzzed on the nitrous

Minimal pain or bleeding too, which is wonderful! What I was anticipating was far worse than reality!! So glad I did not get sedation, as tomorrow I am hoping I can get out of the house! Thanks again everyone for your advise!!

Annie

[llg, PhD, RN]

Glad it went well. But to be realistic ... you'll probably be needing pain medication over the next few days. Don't over-do it. Be careful!