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Can’t find a dentist who actually does general anesthesia, extremely frustrated

Ihatedentistss

Ihatedentistss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
164
Location
Somewhere in Georgia
I am so very frustrated :cry:

I am in quite a bit of pain...my wisdom teeth are severely impacted and I’ve needed them out for years. They're situated right on my nerves or something to that effect (I don’t remember the exact wording from about 7 years ago).

Anyways, up until now I always thought that MOST dentists and oral surgeons took out impacted wisdom teeth under general anesthesia (ie you’re actually knocked out). However, I’ve come to find a lot of practices consider twilight/iv sedation to be general anesthesia apparently....

I am having an extremely difficult time finding someone to actually full on knock me out— the prices I’ve found for just iv sedation are extremely high. I’m just baffled and I wish I wasn’t dealing with this right now especially:frantic:

I DON’T want twilight sedation because I’ve heard so many horror stories over the years about it and also because the price is so high I don’t see why I would pay that unless I’m actually getting smacked over the head with a hammer and knocked out.

I’m almost to the point of just getting them removed one by one awake at separate appointments but I really hate to do that. The thought is awful.

I just don’t understand why it’s so hard to find someone who actually puts you under...not even the oral surgeons seem to do it!! I’m really confused because I know lots of people get put under for wisdom tooth removal...and it really seems that at least an oral surgeon would be capable of such a thing.

I’ve had A LOT of horrible dental experiences and the last thing I want to do is be awake for this, especially when my teeth are so badly impacted ?

I’m just really upset and needed to vent. I don’t feel like it should be such a difficult search! I’m feeling defeated. I’ve even looked into a city an hour away from me. I’m going to call around some more but it doesn’t look like I’m going to have any luck.
 
Hi there.

I’m so sorry you’re going through such a difficult situation. The only advice I can offer is that the reason most dental practices only offer twilight sedation is because it does not require assisted breathing as does full anesthesia. As well as being on a ventilator you would also need your vitals monitored much more closely. Should something go wrong they would not have the resources to do any life saving measures.

I’ve had twilight sedation for dental and medical procedures, and was once fully sedated for a surgery. Dental twilight has a much easier recovery as you’re basically just woken up like you were napping, with minimum side effects Medical twilight is different, as I think you’re more “under” so waking up is not as easy. And of course full general anesthesia is even harder waking up from.

I’ve always assumed that any procedure that requires full sedation would take place in a hospital.
 
Hi there

That sounds like a really frustrating situation to be in. I don’t really know much about the system of dentistry in the USA, but here the only places that can offer GA for dentistry are hospitals. With IV sedation available in other practices with specialist training/equipment. I believe there has been a general move in dentistry from GA to sedation. Is this the case there too?

I know you say you have heard any horror stories but there is a lot of positive experiences that people have posted on here which maybe helpful if GA is not an issue to read through. Many people find it helpful and they remember little to nothing. Is there anything in particular you worry about with it?
 
I am so very frustrated :cry:

I am in quite a bit of pain...my wisdom teeth are severely impacted and I’ve needed them out for years. They're situated right on my nerves or something to that effect (I don’t remember the exact wording from about 7 years ago).

Anyways, up until now I always thought that MOST dentists and oral surgeons took out impacted wisdom teeth under general anesthesia (ie you’re actually knocked out). However, I’ve come to find a lot of practices consider twilight/iv sedation to be general anesthesia apparently....

I am having an extremely difficult time finding someone to actually full on knock me out— the prices I’ve found for just iv sedation are extremely high. I’m just baffled and I wish I wasn’t dealing with this right now especially:frantic:

I DON’T want twilight sedation because I’ve heard so many horror stories over the years about it and also because the price is so high I don’t see why I would pay that unless I’m actually getting smacked over the head with a hammer and knocked out.

I’m almost to the point of just getting them removed one by one awake at separate appointments but I really hate to do that. The thought is awful.

I just don’t understand why it’s so hard to find someone who actually puts you under...not even the oral surgeons seem to do it!! I’m really confused because I know lots of people get put under for wisdom tooth removal...and it really seems that at least an oral surgeon would be capable of such a thing.

I’ve had A LOT of horrible dental experiences and the last thing I want to do is be awake for this, especially when my teeth are so badly impacted ?

I’m just really upset and needed to vent. I don’t feel like it should be such a difficult search! I’m feeling defeated. I’ve even looked into a city an hour away from me. I’m going to call around some more but it doesn’t look like I’m going to have any luck.


Hello I had my wisdom tooth removed (upper left wisdom tooth) April 17th they gave me a shot then pulled it. It didn't hurt one bit. I have to get my bottom left molar out next hopefully it doesn't hurt either I had to pay 325.00 to get the upper left one pulled but it was worth it I pray your next dentist appointment is painless like mine best of luck ❤
 
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