Chickened out wisdom teeth removal

[Kittykat93]

Feel like a complete wuss but I chickened out of getting my wisdoms removed today. I feel so pressured into it and I know I should get it done. But honestly right now I’m not in any pain and I’d be missing a bunch of uni to get it done (I’m a medical student so missing a couple of days really is a lot).
I didn’t want IV sedation but was told the only options were that, LA or GA. LA on its own is not enough and frankly I need something to help get me there. But sedation is too much. I just want to be chill but not out of it. I know that IV sedation basically puts you out of it and I really don’t want that.
I’ve come a long way as I wouldn’t have even gone to the dentist without panic attacks 3 years ago and I know it needs done but I’m just in no hurry. I’ve taken ages to getting to trust my regular dentist and they expect me to rock up to some random and just surrender control...no thanks! I’ve had a bunch of fillings done since and I can tolerate that pretty well now so I really wanted to do this just with minimum sedation. I got some diazepam from the doctor the other day but it did nothing for me and I can’t have propanolol because of asthma. I’m just totally freaked out and worried I will end up really suffering as a result but I just couldn’t go and I was really panicked. Any advice from other people?

 

[Enarete]

Dear Kittykat,

to me it sounds, that you have recognized the boarders of your physical and emotional possibilities at the moment of your visit and decided to put off the treatment to a time you feel ready for it. Nothing bad about this, on the contrary: you took responsibility and decided not to do the treatment, which is good. I however understand that you deal with some heavy feelings now.

Dental anxiety works this way: every visit that is just a little challenging is good, every visit you get too overwhelmed makes the fear worse. In this sense it is a good thing to know your pace and only do things you feel you can cope with.

You have made a huge progress in the last few years and to me it doesn't sound like you would try to avoid the treatment completely due to anxiety. It sounds more like you are looking for an option to go through the treatment but in a way you can cope with.

Do not be too hard with yourself, you have respected yourself and your emotions and that's the right thing to do.

All the best and keep us posted

 

[FearfulInMA]

I had my wisdoms teeth out with just LA. It definitely is possible if you do not want to GA or IV sedation.

 

[robg128]

what about Halcion? I had 4 root canals - and took Halcion beforehand. I never felt doped up, but I hardly remember anything from the event. Afterwards, I came home and slept for about 4 hours.

I took it an hour before the procedure. I do remember them calling me back and sitting in the chair. It seemed like I just plain didn't care what they were doing.

 

[Kittykat93]

Thanks guys,
I phoned my regular dentist who has spent a lot of time making me not a flight risk and he was like it has to be done the way you need it to. He has agreed to write to the dental hospital and ask them to take me back on the list assuming I can get stronger or alternative to diazepam. I think its more the anticipation that is so bad that makes me freak out so I can't go. I think once I'd get there I'd be fine.

It really amazes me how few people are actually understanding in the dental world. I'd been trying to phone the clinic all day but something was wrong with the phone line. When I eventually got through via the switchboard the receptionist was really diaspproving and basically said I'll take a note but its up to the consultant if she takes you back...This is supposed to be an anxiety clinic...? I didn't exactly want or enjoy having a panic attack and I already feel bad about messing folk about and my fiance needing to take the day off work to be my escort. These sorts of attitudes didn't help before when I was to get fillings. So much so that my regular dentist and I ended up just doing it bit by bit in stages and it was so much better and I never needed any sedation of any kind after his efforts. Just a shame he can't do the wisdom teeth as well since they are impacted.

 

[Anxious76]

You’re not a wuss. There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind about Sedation. I think the key now is to communicate what you want clearly with the dentist doing the wisdom tooth extractions and if they aren’t willing to accommodate you, find one who will. As for it not being a good time for you to have it done, there will likely not be an ideal time. Medical school won’t be over any time soon, and there will always be one life circumstance or another coming up that makes recovering from a procedure less than ideal. The best time to have wisdom teeth extracted is before there is a problem, so do your best to to have it done as soon as you are comfortable with the level of Sedation offered, and your dentist. If I waited for a right time or to feel ready for my next surgery I would never have it, so what I do is schedule my next appointment and let my feelings catch up. You’ll be okay. Knowing what you need is the first step. Keep us posted!

 

[Enarete]

Thanks guys,
I phoned my regular dentist who has spent a lot of time making me not a flight risk and he was like it has to be done the way you need it to. He has agreed to write to the dental hospital and ask them to take me back on the list assuming I can get stronger or alternative to diazepam. I think its more the anticipation that is so bad that makes me freak out so I can't go. I think once I'd get there I'd be fine.

Happy to hear that your dentist was so understanding and agreed to make the procedure happen in a way that you feel ok with. You seem to be in very good hands with him.

 

[Kittykat93]

Yeah, can't say the dental hospital receptionist was too pleasant about it. She basically said I'd have to see if the oral surgeon will take me back on her list . Not like I planned/enjoyed the panic attack.

One thing I will definitely take away from this experience is how I talk to my patients in the future especially if I know they are anxious...heck I'm anxious so I can't blame them! Hopefully that makes me a better doctor.

That said though, sometimes ignorance really is bliss...

 

[tazey]

I'm prob the opposite feel worse when I get to an appointment but then they are never on time so that doesn't help waiting rooms drive me crazy. (I should prob take something to calm me but never have). Do you know when your getting them removed? I had a wisdom tooth out in november (plus other stuff) it was half erupted I had G/A tho didn't have an option.

 

[jaycapz]

Like you I chickened out, and I had cavities in 2 of the 4. 2 were bone impacted. I waited 4 months from original date, which ended up putting me in allot of pain when 1 of the teeth was decayed to the point it erupted and I was in the worlds worst pain.

Let me tell you, I was so happy when I got them out. I was put out completely, I had all 4 pulled in one sitting. It was the best nap of my life haha, I wish I was not as scared and had just done it. If you can get get put under, and find yourself a respected oral surgeon I think you will be just fine.

I know its easy to say now, I remember it was the fear of the unknown, and thinking what if something goes wrong while I'm out? I was worried the sky would fall, I was scared that I would wake up in severe pain, etc. I woke up with 0 pain, and only minor discomfort for a couple of days. I enjoyed my downtime, eating soft foods and just relaxing.

I have a very sensitive mouth and teeth, and I almost blacked out sitting in the office. All that worrying wasnt worth it, in the end I am completely fine. I wish you the best of luck, just keep in mind this is routine work. Those teeth are getting completely pulled out, gone, out of your mouth and along with them the pain causing nerves.

Wish you the best! Good luck, dont wait - the sooner their out the sooner its over. Ask for the good stuff!

 

[Dg6300]

Having read your post, I couldn't help but feel the same way.

I got mine out six months ago, and while the pain etc was tolerable, it certainly set my life back a week or more.

If you can put it off (and remember, that is a risk), you may want to wait until a break in your medical school schedule.

My main regret with my wisdom teeth was just agreeing with them right away...even if they were completely right.

In other words, I can't say that you are right or wrong to postpone it, but I certainly understand, and wish I had considered it much more going in.

(Now that it is done and eventually turned out okay, I'm glad/relieved to have it behind me.)