why general anaesthetic?

judgefudge

Hey guys,

I went to the dentist yesterday about my wisdom teeth and he told me I needed to get them all (I have 3) taken out. He didn't skip a beat before saying it would be done in hospital under general anaesthetic. Now I'm not particularly against this I'm just sort of curious as to why/if that's even necessary. I know people who have had much more extensive work done with local anaesthetic.

So yeah I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they use general anaesthetic for wisdom tooth removal?

Thanks

Mingetoad

In many cases sedation only is used. When you have a consultation with the oral surgeon the options will e spoken about. Your dentist will not make the choice of anaesthetic, your oral surgeon will.

judgefudge

sorry, I should have been more clear it was an oral suregeon I saw yesterday. He has scheduled the procedure to be carried out in hospital under general anaesthetic. I asked him a couple of questions at the time but he kind of skirted around them.

I'm just curious really!

ballsymchugh

must be pretty schnary extractions then.

work

judgefudge wrote: »

Hey guys,

I know people who have had much more extensive work done with local anaesthetic.

Thanks

There are different complexity levels in taking out wisdom teeth from very easy to very difficult. Certainly GA is often the way to go however if you feel he was too quick to suggest this go to another oral surgeon and ask if it can be done under sedation.

Vudgie

Trust me you will be glad to be under general anaesthetic.

I was told by someone (not a dentist mind you) that you lose your gag reflex under GA and it is generally easier and less stressful for you and the Oral surgeon! Best of luck with.

interested01

judgefudge wrote: »

Hey guys,

I went to the dentist yesterday about my wisdom teeth and he told me I needed to get them all (I have 3) taken out. He didn't skip a beat before saying it would be done in hospital under general anaesthetic. Now I'm not particularly against this I'm just sort of curious as to why/if that's even necessary. I know people who have had much more extensive work done with local anaesthetic.

So yeah I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they use general anaesthetic for wisdom tooth removal?

Thanks

Hello there.
Extraction of wisdom teeth can be a difficult procedure, usually the lowers are worse because,
They are at the back of your mouth -harder to get at and work around. They are usually stuck between the bone behind and the tooth in front, they are often at an angle and can be completely under the gum -even more difficult. If they are infected it can be a problem to get them numb and/or keep them numb long enough for a painless extraction. The procedure can also be technically demanding as there are a couple of nerves that have to be avoided.
For these reasons (and more) most operators would prefer the patient is not fully present (as do most patients). This means Sedation (pills/intra venous drugs/gas) or general anaesthetic. GA can be sometimes necessary because of a patients medical condition, difficult local factors in the mouth, multiple difficult extractions, extreme phobia etc. It requires a surgeon, anaesthetist, operating theatre and recovery suite, it is usually successful tho not without risk and it's not uncommon to feel sick after. With GA you have absolutely no involvement in the procedure.
Sedation in uncomplicated cases (which most are) is quicker, safer, cheaper, doesn't need a hospital or anaesthetist, and feeling sick after is rare. Sedated patients can occasionally have a hazy recollection of some of the procedure.

After that its down to operator and patient preference.
Hope that helps

judgefudge

Thanks that helps. I was wondering if they just decided that quickly to put most people under GA but come to think of it he did ask if I had any issues with my jaw. I have a history of tmj so maybe that contributed to the decision. Also 2 of the teeth are on my lower jaw and one is still under the gum so I guess it's not as straightforward as it could be.

Thanks for all the info guys

IHeartChemistry

Trust me, with the amount of pain you'll be in after it you'll be glad your getting GA. Keeps the pain away for 24 hours. Had mine taken out there a week and a half ago under GA. All 4 Cherish the fact you won't be in too much agony for the first 24 hours cos after that the pain kicks in.

Good luck (:

radekisner34

General anesthesia stops pain during surgery and other medical procedures by blocking pain signals from being carried by nerves to the brain. A person having general anesthesia will be asleep during the procedure. Not to worry just do get one more check up.

eefums

I had mine taken out under sedation not anaesthetic, given the complications and dangers associated with GA I would defo inquire abotu going down the sedation route. Also I reckon under sedation that it is not so painful, having heard of other people gettin them out under aneasthetic and goin on about the pain for ages I got mine out under anaesthetic and was sent home with nurofen only, my extractions may have been easier in comaprison to some, but i had three out adn two were growin horizontally o the rest of my teeth so I dont think they are that different.
Anywya GA = bad ( as u may not wake up)
Seadation = good much less stressful on your system and much quicker recovery time!

Bicycle

Eefums,

Stop scaremongering. Modern GAs are incredibly safe and you only get a very light GA for a wisdom tooth extraction.

The risks are minimal.

More people probably go to sleep each night and don't wake up again than go under GA and don't wake up again.

Eventually SOMETHING will kill you!!

work

radekisner34 wrote: »

General anesthesia stops pain during surgery and other medical procedures by blocking pain signals from being carried by nerves to the brain. A person having general anesthesia will be asleep during the procedure. Not to worry just do get one more check up.

It is my understanding GA does not block pain signals but renders an individual non responsive to normal stimuli (ie the brain could still be registering pain?). Similarly a GA does not put you to sleep which is an entirely diffenent state.
Saying that GA is extremely safe