Four Removed Under IV Sedation (Two Horizontal Impactions)
Hi everyone, sorry this is long, but I really want to share my story because reading other people’s really helped! I’ve ducked out of getting my wisdom teeth removed twice before (once at 20, once at 25) and now at 27 I decided I wanted this BEHIND ME.
My top two had fully erupted by my mid-20s. My bottom two, however, were COMPLETELY sideways (horizontal full bony impaction), buried underneath both gum & bone. Man, they looked so stupid on that x-ray just laying there like they were asleep. By this point, they had grown roots & were as large as the rest of my molars. I have a tiny jaw, and was also freaked out by how much space they’d leave behind and the possibility of getting injured during the surgery. None of them ever caused any pain, and I really wanted to just leave them all alone, but recent panoramic x-ray showed that the bottom two were RIGHT up against the roots of my second molars now. If they moved forward any more, it was bye-bye perfectly good second molars. I’d also get inflammation of the bottom gums if I disturbed the area too much with chewing.
I went to a reputable oral surgeon with great reviews and a modern practice. She seemed relaxed and confident about the procedure, but I was so petrified of dying/brain damage from cardiac arrest under anesthesia, and I also hate the idea of anything being done to me while unconscious. She said it was an option to stay awake and wanted me to feel comfortable, but that she *strongly* recommended I go with the IV deep sedation. At the end I didn't feel particularly good or safe, but I guess it was enough, because I went ahead and scheduled the procedure for three weeks later.
Btw — I DON’T recommend scheduling the surgery that far out if you can avoid it Way too much time to worry.
I spent the next few weeks with a near-constant feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I’m sure a lot of you know what this feels — like I couldn’t enjoy normal life the same way. I wasn’t focusing at work. Intellectually I knew it’d probably be fine, but emotionally I was a mess. I flip-flopped between wanting a second opinion, wanting to call it off, and wanting to go ahead with just local & nitrous I watched surgery videos and read reviews of the surgeon’s practice (even searching multiple sites to seek out bad ones), medical articles about wisdom teeth removal, and forums. I’d read accounts of people who said it was no big deal/totally painless/super quick, only to see that they had gotten fully erupted teeth removed in like 10-20 minutes, and then get disheartened because that’s much less invasive than what I needed done. It’s strange, but obsessing over it was the only way I felt even slightly in control. Thankfully, I’m very very lucky to have had the constant reassurance of my family and friends.
In the end, I decided on IV sedation because I have a history of vasovagal syncope (fainting or near-fainting from stress or shock, especially after experiencing pain; I even went to the ER in an ambulance once because my heart rate got so low as a result) and didn’t want to risk having an episode. I also never, EVER wanted to worry about my wisdom teeth again — so all four it was. I didn’t care at ALL about the possible pain afterwards or the annoyance of the healing process. I just cared about surviving the surgery. I even went to a cardiologist beforehand to get the all-clear for the GA, lol.
I stocked up on soft foods, used some Afrin that morning to make sure my sinuses were clear, and woke up that morning nervous but ready….OR SO I THOUGHT.
The oral surgeon’s office called at 7am THE MORNING OF SURGERY morning to tell me that my surgeon felt “under the weather” and had to reschedule all her appointments for that day. After all the mental preparation I did, it felt like a big slap in the face. But I tried to look at it as an opportunity — there was another practice, much closer to home, who’s oral surgeon appealed to me a lot more. I cancelled my original appointment, called this new office nearby, and by some miracle was able to get a surgery slot for three days later. In a weird way, I felt SO much better. I really thought I was going to white-knuckle it through the doctor I didn’t like, but circumstances out of my control gave me a chance to do otherwise. Guys, if you’re able to, just shop around until you find a surgeon you really, truly feel comfortable with. It’s worth it just to diminish the anxiety.
Anyway, I woke up the morning of the REAL surgery, and went to have my consultation immediately before the surgery. I met with the doctor, he reviewed my panos, explained the recovery process to me (I'd be getting a bone graft for the sockets left behind by the bottom two teeth as well), and left for a few minutes while I got payment sorted. Shortly after, three assistants came in to help me get ready, followed shortly by the doctor. This is when I really felt freaked out because it was FINALLY HAPPENING. My heart was racing. They put EKG stickers on me, a pulse oximeter, and a nasal canulla with pure oxygen. They were also considerate — they helped me tie my back back in a net, provided a blanket when I asked, and the doctor gave me the heads up when he was about to insert the IV needle (which didn’t hurt whatsoever). He said that’d be the hardest part, and that in a few moments, I’d begin getting sleepy.
He was right. There was maybe 0.5 seconds where noticed the room spinning and thought “well, here it goes”…and I was out.
I vaguely remember waking up in the recovery room exactly an hour later, and getting my phone so I could text my husband & mom that I was okay. The doctor popped in to say it had gone great. When we were ready, I was gently escorted by one of the assistants into our car which was waiting outside. Oddly enough, I remember the recovery room more than the ride home. But from pretty much the moment I got home, I’ve felt perfectly lucid. “Groggy” is the best way to describe the aftereffects of the IV anesthesia, as if I’d had a few drinks and was ready to fall into bed, NOT “out of control” or totally blackout drunk. And it dissipated very fast -- within an hour and a half post-surgery, I felt totally lucid and back to normal.
Now that I’m home I have an ice pack on my face, took my first round of antibiotics & painkillers, and am sipping on a yogurt smoothie. The local anesthesia feels like 50% worn off at this point and the most annoying part is having to keep biting down on this gauge. There’s a little blood, but nowhere near as much as I’d expected. The dissolvable sutures probably help with that. Fun fact: I am already in FULL chipmunk-cheek mode. I thought it’d take a few days or that I’d be able to avoid it, but NOPE.
Overall, I do still understand why I was so freaked out about this for so long, but I’m so happy to report that the experience itself was as painless as it possibly could’ve been. And more than that…I’M SO HAPPY IT’S OVER. Literally the only discomfort I’m in right now is from biting down on the gauze.
On a side note, I get both chronic migraines and nasal congestion, and I’ve heard (very very rare!) accounts of wisdom teeth removal curing those problems. So that’s a possible silver lining…I’m not very hopeful, it’s a long shot, but we’ll see.
Anyway, YOU CAN DO IT GUYS!! This caused me legitimate angst for almost a month of my life and it was over in two hours. You'll be okay, I promise.
!!
I accepted because the hygienist told me they would only use a local anesthetic and I’d be able to drive myself home. Part of what took me so long was fear of sedation!
