Awake or asleep? Your wisdom teeth surgery options explained
Getting your wisdom teeth removed can seem like a daunting experience. Not knowing what to expect during and after the procedure and whether or not it will be painful are concerning for most people.
There are several different ways the procedure can be done. This depends on several factors, including patient preference, anxiety, and difficulty of the procedure (such as tooth position or root shape). It is important to discuss the pros and cons of each option with your dental surgeon before making a decision.
Wisdom teeth removal with local anaesthesia:
For straightforward cases, the procedure may be carried out under local anaesthetic while you are awake in the dental chair. The local anaesthetic will numb the mouth and remove the pain sensation, however, you will still feel some pressure and pushing from the procedure.
Local anaesthetic is a good choice for those who are comfortable being awake during the procedure and can tolerate some pressure and pushing or the sound of a dental drill. There is no grogginess afterwards and you are able to drive afterwards if you wish. It is also ideal if only 1 or 2 wisdom teeth need removal.
Wisdom teeth removal with conscious sedation:
Additional sedation may be required in addition to the local anaesthetic such as nitrous oxide (also known as “happy gas”, given through a mask) or intravenous sedation (given through the veins). Sedation allows anxious patients to undergo the procedure in a “twilight sleep” where they are relaxed and will have little memory of the procedure afterwards
This is a good option for those who do not wish to be completely asleep but would rather not be completely aware of what is going on during the procedure. As the sedative takes some time to wear off, you will not be able to drive and will need someone to take care of you afterwards.
Wisdom teeth removal with general anaesthetic:
Complex cases or patients who do not wish to be awake at all during the procedure will have the procedure performed in the hospital whilst asleep under a general anaesthetic. An airway doctor (anaesthetist) will monitor your breathing throughout the entire surgery. Once fully awake, you will have no memory of the procedure.
General anaesthetic involves more preparation such as fasting (no food or drink) before the surgery for at least 6-8 hours, and no driving after the procedure. Some people may feel a bit unwell (such as nausea or headache) and groggy as the anaesthetic wears off. It may even take a few days until you feel completely normal again.
The procedure will be a day surgery, so you will be able to go home from the hospital on the same day, once you have recovered from the general anaesthesia. This will usually take 1-2 hours after the procedure is finished.
Summary
If you’ve been delaying the necessary removal of your wisdom teeth, there are several options you can choose to help minimise your apprehension about wisdom teeth surgery. It is important to talk to your dentist or surgeon about which option is best for you. You can contact us with your questions anytime via email or using our contact page.