Sedation Options for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the remnants from our prehistoric ‘hunter and gatherer’ past. Just like the appendix, another vestigial organ, it is a proof of human evolution. Wisdom teeth were used by our prehistoric ancestors to chew raw roots, nuts and meat. Wisdom teeth generally appear during the late teen or in the early twenties. As these are the last of the teeth to emerge, these are taken as signs of maturity and hence called wisdom teeth. You should only think of removing your wisdom teeth if these are anyway causing trouble for you. To get rid of your wisdom teeth, you should visit a certified dentist in College Plaza.

The dentist would most probably use a sedative agent on you to reduce the pain during the extraction of your wisdom teeth. Two of the most popular sedative options are laughing gas and anesthesia.

Laughing Gas

Laughing gas or nitrous oxide is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen. The two gases combine in the ratio of 2:1 which gives nitrous oxide the chemical formula of N₂0. Laughing gas is usually passed on to the patient through a mask in combination with oxygen. The laughing gas would make you euphoric. You would feel relaxed, comfortable and undoubtedly less nervous about the extraction process. The euphoria would alter your perception of pain and time. Laughing gas is colorless and odorless. The best part is that the effects of laughing gas wear off quickly.

The mask which is used to pass the gases might be uncomfortable for some patients. Also, the laughing gas, as its name suggests, would make you giggle and you may act silly during the procedure. Some patients might suffer from mild hallucinations with the increase in the quantity of laughing gas used in the sedation procedure. You must choose your dentist and clinic carefully.

Anesthesia

The word anesthesia has Greek origins, originally meaning ‘without sensation’ in the language. The use of anesthetic drugs is quite common in dental procedures. Typically, the type of anesthesia applicable for a patient during wisdom teeth removal depends on his condition. The anesthesia options available for this procedure are:

1. Local Anesthesia – This option is commonly used for simple tooth extractions. The patients remain conscious throughout the procedure. The local anesthesia is usually used along with other types of anesthesia for the wisdom teeth removal procedure.
2. Intravenous Anesthesia – For an afraid or anxious patient, the method of intravenous anesthesia is the most suitable. The application of intravenous anesthesia usually puts the patient to sleep.
3. General Anesthesia – General anesthesia is mostly applied by an anesthesiologist. This option is applicable mainly for complicated cases like patients going through jaw reconstruction and TMJ surgery. It is not typically used for wisdom tooth extraction. However, this option is preferred if patients are suffering from lung or heart diseases.

The goal of a sedation method is to make the procedure of wisdom teeth extraction a painless one. Nowadays dentists have multiple sedation options for their patients.

Is your wisdom tooth bothering you? Visit the dentist in College Plaza Dental to get rid of it today. You may also consult the dentist in College Plaza in case of any other dental emergency.