Are you anxious about having your wisdom teeth extracted? You may be wondering if you'll need to be put to sleep for the procedure. Fortunately, you don't need to be put to sleep for wisdom teeth removal. In fact, you can stay awake during the procedure and still not feel any pain. Wisdom teeth are the last molars (back teeth) to come out, usually in the late teens or early twenties.
Most people have four wisdom teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw, but some people have more, fewer, or even none. If your wisdom teeth are severely impacted, your oral surgeon may recommend general anesthesia. When it comes to wisdom tooth extraction, you can expect to be fully conscious during the procedure. You won't feel any pain, but you may feel some pressure.
If you're receiving local anesthesia, your brief recovery period is likely to be in the dental chair. If you're receiving sedation or general anesthesia, you'll be taken to a recovery room after the procedure. If you can't tolerate the pain of the injection or the pressure of being awake during wisdom teeth removal, you may want to be put to sleep. Deep sedation is less commonly used for wisdom tooth extractions and is only considered if mild or moderate sedation is ruled out. The good news about wisdom tooth extraction is that it can safely and effectively treat problems that arise from impacted teeth. It's very rare for a single wisdom tooth extraction to take an hour if you have an experienced dentist.
The presence of impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to the development of cysts, leading to more dental and periodontal issues. When it comes to anesthesia for wisdom tooth extraction, there are several levels that will be considered. Local anesthesia is usually used for simple extractions, while sedation or general anesthesia may be used for more complex extractions. The cost of sedation is the most important factor that can increase the cost of wisdom teeth removal by up to 50%.If you're considering having your wisdom teeth removed, it's important to talk to your dentist about all of your options. Your dentist will be able to explain all of the risks and benefits associated with each type of anesthesia and help you make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
