I have to have my top two wisdom teeth surgically removed...Any advice??!
Question: I have researched my doctor and know that he has a very good record about being as gentle as possible...I will have an IV for the anesthetic (sp?)....How bad is this going to hurt?? I have heard so many horror stories and I am terrified about the procedure!! I am a smoker and already know that it will be at least several days before I can smoke due to dry sockets and stuff....(I know, I know, I should quit all together....It's a hard habit to kick).....Anyway...Be honest...Don't sugarcoat it please beacause I don't want any surprises...I really want to know what I am getting into here.....If you have a good dr. and are under the IV....Is it really that bad?? How is the recovery as far as pain and the time it takes to feel better?? I wouldn't even have this done, but both teeth keep breaking off in small pieces and the dr recommended I have them taken out. As far as I know they havn't grown in sideways...Thank you for all your answers....I am really nervous about having this done!
Answers: I have researched my doctor and know that he has a very good record about being as gentle as possible...I will have an IV for the anesthetic (sp?)....How bad is this going to hurt?? I have heard so many horror stories and I am terrified about the procedure!! I am a smoker and already know that it will be at least several days before I can smoke due to dry sockets and stuff....(I know, I know, I should quit all together....It's a hard habit to kick).....Anyway...Be honest...Don't sugarcoat it please beacause I don't want any surprises...I really want to know what I am getting into here.....If you have a good dr. and are under the IV....Is it really that bad?? How is the recovery as far as pain and the time it takes to feel better?? I wouldn't even have this done, but both teeth keep breaking off in small pieces and the dr recommended I have them taken out. As far as I know they havn't grown in sideways...Thank you for all your answers....I am really nervous about having this done!
Where to start? So many questions you ask! : )
Well, for starters, enjoy the IV to the max because it will be the best part of this ordeal. You will not feel a thing.
The after pain depends on a lot of things...starting with your toleration. Some can handle lots...some not much. If you are a not much person be sure to clearly inform your doctor of this BEFORE the procedure. Tell him how afraid you are and tell him you want to be certain you will be leaving with adequate pain meds. If not, his night will be made just as miserable as yours! In fact, get everything out in the clear when you get there because you'll be too loopy after the IV to be of any use to anyone!
So then you're home. Of course, you and your ride already stopped to get your pain meds on the way home. Take one as soon as after you've got yourself all comfy (go potty, put on your pjs, get your ice pack, everything) so you don't have to get up again for a bit. Then go to sleep. You'll be exhausted by then.
From there? Keep taking your meds as precribed. Keep up the ice because it really does help. If you've got bony impactions and they need to cut through bone, little slivers of bone will start working their way through your sutures to your gum surface in a day or two. Oh yeah. The sutures. They creeped me out beyond belief. Not as creepy as the bone slivers but still. I had a really hard time restraining my tongue from picking out the bones from the gum. Don't want to go there because it makes the gums so sore.
I am not being mean! You said NO SUGARCOATING!!!
We've got all this fun going on and then starts the next ride: nicotine withdrawal. I remember well! Don't smoke. Really don't do it. My brother got dry sockets and I have never, ever seen anyone so miserable in my life. So seriously I mean this. I got some patches (you can't chew the gum) and didn't smoke. It was OK.
And, you'll be OK!!! Good luck, Duckie!
1. Try to quit smoking before the procedure; you don't want to be dealing with pain and withdrawal at the same time.
2. Don't gloss over or minimize your pain. Tell them honestly how much it hurts.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for stronger medication if what they give you doesn't work.
With the IV and being knocked out, it'll be over before you know it. Good luck.
You will be fine. the worst part will be the initial wake up in recovery, after that it's a doddle.
Once they tak them out in there, there is no problem, It only hurts for a day
Are you getting a general anesthetic? You won't feel a thing, and will wake up with sore jaw and swollen gums.
If you're getting nitrous, you'll be so stoned you won't care what they're doing. Always tell them if you want more numbing or nitrous.
There will be some post-operative pain for a day or two. They'll give you pain killers; if they don't work, ask for a stronger prescription.
Drink LOTS of water.
It's going to depend on your pain tolerance. I had two teeth pulled at different times. When they pulled a wisdom tooth, yes, it hurt, but the painkillers helped. I also agree with the person who said to try and cut out smoking beforehand, because the withdrawal symptoms will make the pain feel even more miserable. At least try cutting down and waiting as long as you can between cigarettes between now and the procedure, so you learn to space them out. You don't feel anything during the operation at all, btw, it's only afterward that it hurts.