Sedation Options for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Most people can have anywhere from zero to four wisdom teeth deep inside their gums. If you have wisdom teeth, by the time you reach young adulthood, they can begin to emerge which causes your teeth to become overcrowded. Since wisdom teeth are attached to your jawbone with longer roots, their removal can be painful and invasive. As a result, our oral surgeon may recommend that you receive sedation before or during your wisdom teeth sedation procedure to calm your nerves and ease any discomfort you may experience.

Planning for Sedation For Your Wisdom Teeth Sedation

During your consultation with our team, you will receive a routine oral examination, a review of your medical history, and comprehensive 3-D images of your mouth to evaluate if your iv sedation wisdom teeth need to be removed. If it’s determined you are an eligible candidate for the procedure, we will schedule you for your second appointment and discuss your sedation options with you. The method of sedation chosen is determined by your medical history and anxiety level related to your procedure. Based on these factors, we advise you to select one of the following:

Nitrous Sedation

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous sedation is the most common method used during dental procedures including sedation for wisdom teeth removal because it is minimally invasive. With this sedation method, a face mask is placed over your nose to give you a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that provides a relaxing sensation to reduce your discomfort during your procedure. Inhalation sedation allows you to remain conscious during your wisdom teeth removal. Once complete, your face mask is removed, and the effects will wear off within ten minutes so you can drive yourself home after your surgery.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is often used in dental practices for procedures such as cavity fillings. This type of anesthesia is a numbing medication that is injected directly into the gums around the area that will be treated.

Nitrous oxide is occasionally used with local anesthesia for extra relaxation. Local anesthesia is very safe and effective for pain treatment during minor procedures. Side effects include numbness in your cheeks and gums afterward.

Oral Sedation

Referred to as conscious sedation, oral sedation involves taking medication before arriving for your wisdom teeth removal to help you relax. If our oral surgeon recommends oral sedation for you, we will give you a prescription for either Halcion (triazolam) or Valium (diazepam) which must be filled at a pharmacy. We will advise you to take the medication one hour before your wisdom tooth sedation. Based on the dosage, you will likely experience a sleepy or groggy feeling, and may potentially fall asleep during your surgery. If this occurs, our surgeon will wake you with a light tap to let you know your surgery is complete. With this sedation method, you will need to arrange a ride home following your procedure, as the medication is likely to leave you feeling tired.

IV Sedation

If you receive this sedation method before your wisdom tooth sedation, we will administer the drugs to you using an IV so they can be distributed throughout your body. The strongest of the sedation methods, IV sedation wisdom teeth will leave you unconscious during your surgery. As our oral surgeon removes your wisdom teeth, our board-certified anesthesiologist will adjust and control your medication levels to ensure you do not wake up during the procedure. If you select this sedation method, you will need to abstain from eating 12 hours before your procedure (unless advised otherwise) and must arrange transportation to take you home following the surgery.

What Makes You Loopy After Wisdom Teeth Removal

For most people, wisdom teeth sedation is one of the first large oral surgeries they will experience. At Buckhead Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, our award-winning practice gives you the high-end hospitality you deserve to set you at ease on the day of your appointment so you can come in, relax, and leave with a healthy new smile from our skilled oral surgeon. See why our practice is the number one choice for influential patients in and outside of Atlanta. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey to a lifelong healthy and beautiful smile.