Question about sedation for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?!
Question: Question about sedation for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
I'm a really really very nervous/anxious person, *Not entirely sure, but I think they're using gas*, how long does it usually take to have an effect? Like do you fall asleep entirely? If you do, how quickly usually? And if it's not too fast, how quickly does it relax you?
I'm not nervous about the appointment in general, I'm just affraid of getting sick, and being afraid of getting sick means being afraid in pretty much any situation. But I'm afraid of my mind. I'm worried that I will be nervous about being so nervous that I get sick, if that makes any sense. "//
Thank You for your time! = ))
Answers:
Hi there, you sound very nervous. Okay I am a sedation nurse so hopefully I have the answers for you. I will give you some information and let you decide-
If they are using gas then they will use a mix of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen, This is called Inhalation Sedation, this is given through a mask or nasal cannula, they will turn up the Nitrous Oxide and lower the Oxygen normally 60%/40%. The Inhalation Sedation is nice and this is designed to relax you and chill you out. It will NOT make you fall asleep at anytime as this is dangerous in a normal dental clinic, you must always have oxygen delivered to you and not just Nitrous Oxide and the safety features in the sedation machine do not allow for over sedation or errors. Which is great. This drug will not make you sick. When they initially give the gas it can take 10-20 minutes to work and the downside of the gas is that they cannot keep on turning it up and up, therefore you may not reach the sedated state you hoped for. When they are done and turn off the machine the gas is completely eliminated from your body and you are safe to go home, you can even drive home. I am not impressed with Inhalation Sedation in adults but its good for kids. Now I would recommend Intravenous Sedation (IV), this is much more effective and is the chosen type of sedation where I am, I work in the NHS and live in Scotland. IV sedation uses a drug from the Benzodiazepine family such as Midazolam but this may differ depending where you live. This is given direct into your vein either on your hand or arm. The effect is instant due to the way it is given, it works in many ways, it is a muscle relaxant, a respiratory depressant and causes amnesia. Meaning, it relaxes all of your muscles to the point you feel heavy and cannot lift your head or legs well, it relaxes your breathing and slows your heart rate down as it you are nervous your heart will be racing, and after wards you will not remember a thing as it causes memory loss for that hour you were in the dentist. If you don't feel sedated enough or your heart rate is still racing they can easily add more via the cannula in your arm. They give the drug dependant on your response. Due to this it means you need to go home by car and be looked after for 12 hours, you cannot drive or be left alone, The good thing is that you are able to eat and drink before hand with sedation and you don't need to fast like you do with a GA. The IV sedation acts like you are drunk however you are not sick nor feel sick. Eating beforehand stops the sickness and fainting feeling. This sedation is more stronger and that is why it is quickest to work and longest to eliminate from your blood. I wish you well and good luck on what you decide.
I am a Sedation Dental Nurse in Oral Surgery in Sunny Scotland
I totally feel you man, I'm getting mine done today. The gas gets you really relaxed and raises your pain threshold. When this is done they give you the anesthetic injected into your gums, but you'll be tripping so much you won't even know it's happening. Or they could go for a general which i think goes into your arm and knocks you out and before you know it you will be done :)