TERRIFIED Wisdom Teeth Removal

[Morga2ke]

Hi All-

I'm a 29 year old female getting my wisdom teeth removed next Friday the 9th and I've opted to only recieve Novocain, no IV and no laughing gas. I do have Ativan I plan on taking ahead of time.

I'm totally freaking out. People think I'm nuts for staying awake but my dentist said there is no reason why I need to be sedated. One of my teeth have erupted and the other 3 are mostly impacted although I can see tiny bits of each tooth. The thought of being sedated scares me more than staying awake so that's why I'm staying awake.

Has anyone stayed awake with only Novocaine? I'm so scared of having my tongue numbed and not being able to speak or if they hit a nerve and lose feeling in my face or mouth...also scared of all the loud noises of the teeth being broken and the pressure I'll feel...ugh ugh ugh! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[FearfulInMA]

I had only local anesthetic because, like you, I was more afraid of being sedated. The 2 top ones were fully erupted and out in less than a minute or 2 each. The bottom ones were full boney impacted and those did not go so well. Please just make sure you are fully numb (I promise you will be able to talk - the dental assistants were speaking Spanish to each other as this was their native language and I was even able to speak with them in Spanish - not my native language lol). If you feel any pain, say something immediately. I have a lot of trouble getting numb on my bottom back teeth and having my wisdom teeth out was no different. I don't say this to scare you, most people are totally fine. Just be sure to speak up for yourself if you feel anything.

By the way... I was 30 when I had mine out. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

 

[Morga2ke]

Thanks for your reply! Why were your lower ones bad? Just because you weren't numbed enough? Did the shots hurt like heck? I should mention I'm needle phobic too. I'm so ready for this to be over!!! So even though your tongue is numb you could talk?? Were the sounds of your teeth breaking awful? Sorry for the million questions. ?

 

[FearfulInMA]

I saw this and will respond, but am super busy at work today... if I don't respond later, please message me directly to remind me

 

[FearfulInMA]

Ok... here are some answers to your questions.

First, I'm also VERY phobic of needles -- to the point that, when I was a kid, I would run screaming from doctors offices if I knew I had to get any sort of injection. I can't even look at them on TV when they are showing someone getting a flu shot. That being said, at this point, I've had a TON of dental work over the last 9 years or so and can honestly say that dental injections are the easiest of all. 9 years ago, which is when I had my wisdom teeth extracted, I would have said that they were the ones I was most fearful of, but now, they are the only ones I'm not afraid of. This is because they really don't hurt at all. If anything, it's a tiny pinch for a second, but then you don't feel anything at all. Some dentists can do the injections without you feeling it at all. Also, most all put some topical anesthetic on first where they will inject (just like oragel). I always close my eyes during the injections and also tell the dentist as soon as I walk in the room, that, under no circumstances do I want to see any needles. This really helps me.

In terms of your tongue feeling numb and being able to talk, I promise you will be able to talk. When your tongue is numb it feels 'fat'... it's not that you can't feel it at all. You might sound a little funny, but you will definitely be able to talk. I've had so much dental work done over the years and I've never not been able to talk. ever.

I'm not bothered by any of the sounds. I know a lot of people are, but that's never been something that's bothered me. If you're worried about the sounds, you should definitely bring some music to listen to.

My lower ones were bad because I never got numb. I actually had to have them done in 2 separate appointments because the lower right was so difficult to remove and I was totally not numb even after getting the maximum amount of anesthetic (and that's a lot!). The roots of this tooth are actually still there and all remain there as they are not causing any issues and shouldn't ever. For the lower left - done by a different oral surgeon, I wasn't numb either. Both extractions were agonizing and both lasted well over an hour each. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have just searched for a different oral surgeon who had exceptional local anesthetic skills because I know that I am very difficult to numb for my lower back teeth. This is not something that happens to most people. Normally, I wouldn't share this story because I really don't want to scare you or anyone else. Also, the fact that you can see even part of all of your wisdom teeth means that they should be relatively easy to remove. Mine were completely horizontal and not at all visible. I've also been told by every dentist/oral surgeon/endodontist I've ever seen that my roots are exceptionally long -- for me, I think that my issues were really a prefect storm of all of these things. Most people are totally, completely fine and you will be too! I have no doubt that I will be reading your 'success story' in a couple of weeks .

 

[Morga2ke]

Thank you so, so much for taking the time to reply to this post in such detail, can't tell you how much I appreciate it! I do feel a lot better after hearing your story. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your lower teeth, I will definitely make sure to be fully numb. Did you get a shot in the roof of your mouth? I've heard that part is the worst. I'm sure I will do just fine and am working myself up for nothing (which I'm prone to do in many situations.) My wisdoms are coming in very sideways and beginning to push my other teeth so I'm sure I'll be glad I got them out. Thank you so so much again, you helped me a lot!!

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm glad the info was helpful and didn't send you running scared . I'm sure I had some injections on the roof of my mouth, but they were way in the back near my wisdom teeth. I don't remember feeling anything more than a small pinch. The thing about local anesthetic injections is that as soon as they start it, you get numb almost immediately. So, they usually give the injections slowly (be prepared for this) because it's less painful and causes less discomfort after and by the time you can count to 1, you are already starting to get numb and done feel most of the injection. Also, if they give more than one injection in the same area, you won't feel the second one at all b/c you will already be starting to get numb. I honestly and truly think that having a hangnail is more painful than any dental injection I've ever had. They aren't fun or comfortable, but I've have never experienced them as painful.

 

[Morga2ke]

Well, I did it! Honestly, it was nothing. I stayed awake, no gas, only Novocain. It went 100% better than expected. The dentist and hygienist were soooo patient, kind and professional. I was tearing up before hand and they talked me through exactly what was happening, were so gentle and I have hardly had any pain. Nothing that regular Advil can't fix I was eating Mac and cheese and soft food the next day! All 4 came out whole, I'm so glad it's over! Thank you so much for your help!!!