My dentist appointment is rescheduled for tomorrow at 2pm. I would have gone this morning, except I was feeling half dead from my stomach’s 3am decision to purge everything in it. Not fun. Not fun at all. Anyway, despite my casual remark on getting my wisdom teeth out, I really am freaked out about getting my wisdom teeth out! All four have to come out. But it won’t be the “usual” yanking procedure. I have a wisdom tooth that is growing at a 45 degree angle.
I originally went to the dentist in August, because the pain from the impacted wisdom tooth jamming into my other teeth and inflaming and pushing the gum above it up and into my top teeth was becoming unbearable, but put off the procedure because at that time, I did not have health insurance, and didn’t want to have to pay a hospital bill that could potentially run into several thousand dollars. Well, now I have health insurance. Actually, I’ve had health insurance since mid October, but at that time the boys were living with us, and I really had no time or desire to fit in a pretty invasive dental procedure around the care of four kids.
So anyway, like I said, I can’t have the “usual” yanking procedure for the impacted tooth. It has to come out surgically. My dentist said that under normal circumstances, he would be able to do it in the office, except that my tooth is right on top of a nerve, and if I were to move suddenly during the procedure, that nerve could be damaged. So instead, unless tomorrow’s x-ray shows a sudden change in position and the nerve not being so close, I will have to go into the hospital – day surgery – to have the impacted tooth surgically removed. They’ll put me out completely, and while they’re removing the impacted tooth, they’ll also yank out the other three normally positioned wisdom teeth.
I don’t know what I like the idea of less…
- Being awake for the procedure, but having to remain still while they’re cutting, drilling, tearing and yanking into my gums and teeth
- Being completely knocked out and waking up after everything is over
Despite being terrified of being put out completely (I’ve never had that before!), and dreading the thought of being sick after having general anesthesia, I’m leaning more towards that still being more appealing than being aware of what is going on inside my precious mouth.
Blah. 
P.S. It snowed today! It was the wet stuff too – really fun for snowballs. Alyssa made snow angels and Ryan wandered around aimlessly while Dan and I threw snowballs at one another while cleaning off the car and re-hanging some outdoor Christmas lights. The neighbors probably thought we were rather immature, but who cares? We had fun! 
Good luck with your teeth. I had to be put completely out for all of my wisdom teeth and it wasn’t a picnic in the park, but I preferred it over being awake!
And it sounds like you had a blast outside today! Jeff thinks Ethan’s too old to play in the snow, so I have to sneak him out when he’s not home!! ;)
I had mine removed about 1 yr. ago and they gave me sedatives. I remember sitting down on the chair and then everything went black. I woke up at home because I was hungry and the only thing I could stick in my mouth was applesauce. And then I went back to sleep. But let me tell you it was the best darn sleep ever! Anyway, good luck and hope everything comes out ok.
Jenn.. trust me on this one.. you WANT to be put under for it. They were gonna take out my wisdom teeth there in the dentist’s office.. my teeth were not grown out yet, they were actually still under my jaw but were positioned so that they would grow straight into my bone, so they had to come out. They pulled out ONE in the office and I had a full blown anxiety attack from being able to feel everything. So they ended up sending me to an oral surgeon to get the other three done. I recovered pretty quickly from the anesthesia so it wasn’t bad at all.. and DEFINITELY better than feeling it all.. agh!
Good luck with the dentist! I still have all my wisdom teeth, only because they’re being very stubborn in the coming-out process so they’re all -half- in so my dentist can’t pull them.
Hey, throwing snowballs is fun! I had a huge snow dump on Saturday/Sunday but it was all washed away by two full days of rain afterwards. It was pretty while it lasted.
How did it go? It’s a really good thing that you got it removed I read in a medical book(because I’m nerdy like that) that they can grow deep down into a nerve and leave you without the to talk using both sides of the face. That would not be a pretty thing. People say they want to be number but that too is painful especially when they pull out that huge needle to stick in your gums.
Like tons of other people here I just had to remark that I remember visiting kiss-my-kitty back in the “old” days when I owned serene-silence.net lol. Seems like so long ago xD I like this domain though, can’t believe jenn.nu was still available, that is awesome lol.
Wisdom teeth are apparently a very easy procedure, even when they are growing weird. I had a few problems, one of mine wasn’t at a 45 degree angle from still wasn’t coming in straight. The only problems I had afterwards is that I flushed the gaps too often and I got what is called a dry socket, which is nothing really, just hurts a bit but it goes away after awhile.
And you can definitely have some of my snow… that is all it has been doing these last few days! Non-stop snow. *sobs* I miss fall
I remember commenting on widsom teeth before when you posted about it but anyways
It’s not really not that big of deal that people make it out to be. I remember being worried about getting mine (all 3 at the same time – only had 3! lol) out after I graduated HS in 2004, every thing I had heard about getting your widsom teeth taken out was painful, it hurt so much etc etc. Mine were cut out because they hadn’t come through the gums and like yours were actually growing into my other teeth. I didn’t have any pain from it but because I have such a small mouth w/ no room for those teeth to go, they had to be taken out.
I was knocked out the entire time, so I didn’t feel a thing. When I woke up I wasn’t in much pain because of the meds they had put me and they also gave me a prescription for one of those really strong pain meds. Of course, the swelling and not really being able to eat/talk sucked but the pain wasnt unbearable…maybe the first day, but so long as I took the meds until the swelling went down or if I felt I needed them I was fine – I slept the first few days through it, lol.
What helped me was keeping gause in my mouth in the place of where the teeth were taken out. So maybe you should try that when you get yours done.
Ugh…
Nausea + Tooth aches = Worst fate ever.
I am in the same mindset as Jennfur. I have anxiety attacks when I go to the dentist now because I could feel every thing clear as day, not to mention the fact that it took SEVEN shots of the numbness stuff, due to the fact that the last SIX were shot into the WRONG NERVES! I went to an oral surgeon for the remaining two. It was great being knocked out, though the only thing that freaked me out was waking up in another room with no recollection of how you got there, and also being told that you talked about my family and my recent break up with my boyfriend at the time with the nurse …. umm… I have no memory of that conversation, none at all!
I’d rather be put out personally. I get anxiety when it comes to my mouth and being able to see everything going on. I’m actually scared of dentists due to stuff like going when i was about 11 to a dentist and he decided since I had 8 baby teeth remaining that it wouldn’t hurt to pull them. All 8 of them in one sitting.
Bleeding 10 hours later still was not fun and neither was having him tell my (then) 8 year old brother to shut up when he asked (before the procedure started) what was going to happen and he told him to shut up and he wasn’t there to talk. They also didn’t let my mother in the back waiting room with us as we sat there for an hour and a half.
Needless to say I fear dentists.
i had all four of my gross impacted wisdom teeth out under complete anesthetic and i have to say it was pretty terrible, but much better than being away in the chair while it happened! i’ve had regular teeth pulled as well (as a kid i had some stubborn baby teeth pulled before i had braces) and it wasn’t much fun.
having your wisdom teeth out is mostly just uncomfortable, i would compare it to having tonsils out, you feel pretty yucky for about a week, the only thing to do is just take a lot of painkillers and lie on the couch
anyway i hope it goes well for you!
You have been tagged! http://www.fasterthechase.com/?p=195
I also will have to get my wisdom teeth removed, and it doesn’t really appeal me lol.
For the general anesthesia, don’t worry, it is really nothing. You will just feel stoned when you wake up, but people are rarely sick.
Go for the gas!
I had to get my tonsils out last year, and waking up from being under is the best feeling ever.
Actually getting put under is really cool.
ALL of my wisdom teeth are impacted, so I have to get them out eventually.
I feel your pain though.
I’m still going for the gas…
haha
I’d rather be put to sleep and wake up when its all over. I just couldn’t have any teeth pulled out while I was awake. It scares me just going to the dentist never mind having teeth pulled.
I had my wisdom teeth out during my freshman year of high school. That was also the first time that I had been “put under,” and it really isn’t that bad. I definitely would prefer that over being awake during the procedure! The pain wasn’t so bad, except for when I got dry sockets (and I think my TMJ began right after the surgery due to my mouth being hyperextended during the procedure). Honestly, though, people don’t get dry sockets often. It’s a perfect time to rent all the movies you’ve wanted to see for awhile and relax. Good luck with the procedure!
I don’t know if they put you out completely for dental procedures, but I want that option. I’ve had my wisdom teeth out, when I was 14 and 16 years old. I was scared to death, had a really pissy dentist and hated the entire experience, but it wasn’t that bad. The pain wasn’t bad at all. It’s all pressure. Girl if you can have a c-section you’ll laugh during the wisdom teeth.
This is so weird because I was about to blog about my dental woes.
I was put out for my wisdom teeth. I’m sure you’ll come through with flying colours. Keep some soft food and soups on hand for after though, you will not be able to eat very well ;)
I have had 4 teeth pulled and was put under for 3. You WANT to be put under. I have never gotten sick from the anesthesia before. Its a weird feeling, you fall asleep and wake up and it seems like only a second has passed and its over! Just dont eat ANYTHING before (I cant remember how many hours before surgery but they will tell you). Have any of your family members reacted badly to anesthesia? If not, you shouldnt be sick afterwards. If you are worried about that, they can give you something to prevent that. Good luck. You’ll be fine. I know its scary, but trust me, its not bad. Make sure you take the pain meds they give you once you get home because you will be in pain afterwards.
I had to have some teeth pulled and they just gave me an oral sedative. i was out of it, but still awake. I never felt anything and I actually don’t remember much of the actual procedure. You’ll do fine!
Good luck!
I’ve had all four of my wisdom teeth removed too. I was put under too because all four were impacted. Like other posters have said, you’ll want to be put out. I can’t and DON’T want to imagine how the hell they get those teeth out other than using brut force. I highly recomend going under for the procedure.
Also, have Dan or someone take you there and be with you because you will not be able to function normally after you wake up. I did and said a lot of funny things to my mom. Apparently I’m a real comedian while doped up. Also, they did have me sign a form saying that I could have nerve damage after the surgery…which I did! For about 6 months I had no feeling in my chin, it was constantly numb. But it did go away. Good luck.
I wish we’d get some snow…
As for the wisdom teeth, I’ve always said I wish they’d just put me under for those kind of things anyway. I’d be much less nervous and less likely to move and screw things up.
Good luck today. I haven’t gotten mine out yet.
I have never heard of a person getting sent to an actual hospital to have wisdom teeth extracted unless you are a very special case. Most general dentists who do a few extractions but can’t do some will just refer those patients to an oral surgeon where the patient will be put on an IV, given Nitrous Oxide and then the injections in the mouth. In reference to a previous commentor’s remark about having someone to drive you to this hospital… its a requirement for the patient to sign a statement saying that there will a designated driver for the procedure afterwards since the patient will be still pretty knocked up on the IV fluids and will not be able to drive oneself (legally). Good luck with your oral surgery.
oral surgeon=dentist who specializes in mostly extractions and maxofacial related teeth procedures
I just had my teeth removed last month. I was worried about it too. I had them put me under. I remember them putting the IV in my arm, breifly getting into the car, and the next thing I new I was home in bed.
You’ll be fine, I promise. You’ll drool for a few hours afterwords, but thats it. As long as you remember to take the vicoden before the anesthesia wears off, and at regular intervals as directed, you’ll be ok.
Of course, non of my teeth were impacted, so I dont know how the difference will be. But I’m sure you will be ok.
Don’t worry too much. Because of GERD (need to be intubated due to the increased risk of vomiting and aspirating) and the fact that all 4 of my wisdom teeth were sideways, I had to go the hospital route as well. My only problem is what always happens with anesthesia with me – I get the shakes severely. I also developed dry sockets, so listen to what they say to tell you to avoid it!
But personally, I was happier to do it that way. Probably strange, but true.
Mi – It’s not as rare as you think. There are a variety of reasons that it may need to be done in a hospital setting instead of an office. Like me, and GERD. Sure, most people don’t NEED anything other than an office setting, but it’s not unheard of at all.
Damn, I’m too late. I was going to tell you that the exact same thing happened to me and it wasn’t too bad. I was also going to tell you that you can ask them to give you some drug before they put you out that keeps you from being sick afterwards. Anesthesia has a history of making me sick for DAYS afterwards, but that pill was a miracle worker.
I hope it went well anyways :\
Hey Jenn! I read your blog every day, I’m not sure why I never comment…
Anyways your wisdom teeth sound exactly like mine. I had 6 wisdom teeth and one of them was coming in at 45 degree angle aswell. I didnt have the quickest recovery but I think it probably had something to do with having two extra teeth. I didnt have a whole lot of pain though so hopefull you wont either.
Good luck with your surgery!
Ouch. I hope it went okay and that you’re not in too much pain (or none at all if you’re feeling okay!).
You have been tagged – http://www.paidtheransom.net/?p=13
I would want to be knocked out, but I didn’t know the anesthesia made you sick.