and i just found out I am going to need surgery, to extract my wisdom teeth.

What on earth am i going to do?!?!

[Yoda]

No biggie. Let them know that you want IV sedation during the procedure and have somebody to drive you home. Or nitrous oxide is good.

I had oral surgery and was a bit nervous but I don't really have a big fear of dentists so I went with just a local and was completely amazed at how quickly it was over. I was nervous about nothing.

can i have both IV and Nitrous lol.

The problem with mine is i think they may have to put me out, as three of the wisdom teeth are still partially under other molars. I just dont know but FREAKED.

[bebop]

I was put to sleep when I had mine out! thank goodness! but I have dentures and was awake having them all done. good novicane lol

[Yoda]

Ahhhhh. My wisdom teeth never came through the gum either. I had two teeth pulled earlier this year and they weren't sure how difficult it would be because they couldn't tell if the roots from the wisdom tooth were intertwined with the molars. I decided to start with local and see what they found but fortunately it was a simple procedure.

Just because I am not afraid of dentists doesn't mean that I don't understand your fear. I am VERY claustrophobic and when they tried to put me in a regular MRI this year I was willing to try but I was only in there for twenty seconds and I said, get me out of here NOW.

I am not sure what dentists typically use for IV sedation. We did conscious sedation when I worked as a RN and we most often would use Valium or versed. I have had both and I don't care much for versed but it does work well for some people.

just came back from the doctors-

it looks like 6 teeth need to come out - all very back molars(2 remaining) and all four wisdom teeth JOY.

[Yoda]

Stock up on soft food. Jello, pudding, soup, tuna on bread but without celery, eggs, egg salad sandwich, yogurt, mashed potatoes, milk, ...

They should tell you but in case you are too woozy to remember do not drink from a straw, do not drink carbonated beverages,

Here, I found you a link that says it better than I can----> what Rainbowzz needs to know after her dental visit

[Naturefreak]

I'm terrified of dentists. So glad there is sedation dentistry.
Didn't remember a thing. Good luck Rainbow....Relax

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Rainbowzz

it looks like 6 teeth need to come out - all very back molars(2 remaining) and all four wisdom teeth JOY.

Yoda's advice looks good to me. Also, two stories, for comparison:

1. A high school friend had her wisdom teeth out; I don't know anything about the actual procedure. She had considerable swelling afterwards -- "Looked like a pumpkin," as she put it. I remember her just about living on aspirin gum for a few days afterwards. I made a note to myself to avoid having mine out if at all possible; no way was I looking forward to going through that.

2. Maybe 15 years later I did have my wisdom teeth out. I arranged to take a week of vacation at the same time so that I wouldn't have to worry about being ready to come back to work. My dentist gave me novocain and nitrous oxide; the actual procedure didn't hurt a bit. He emphasized the post-op care: sleep sitting up the first night and use ice packs for the first several hours, so many minutes on, so many off. I had no swelling. He gave me a scrip for painkillers but I never needed them. Later I told him story #1 and asked why it hadn't been anything like that for me. "Good post-op care," he told me.

Good luck, Rainbowzz!

--------------------------
(Edited to add):
For all the dental procedures I've ever had, what's made the most difference in how I felt about them has been how well I trusted that particular dentist.

[Rmdctc]

I had mine out two or three years ago. I have to say that the procedure was not so bad (had xanax before and they put me out). I was unfortunate to get dry sockets which doesn't happen alot but can be very painful. Over all id say I have had more pain when my back goes out though.

[Shangrala]

Aww..Rainz~

I can so relate to your fear.
My major phobia is of needles, yet I can't help but to associate that fear with the dentist, for some reason which eludes me.

I'm SO bad with the dentist that, I have to have liquid Valium an hour before procedure then have the gas to finish me out. Yet...I still end up crying, swatting at the dentist....either scooting too far up into the dentist's face (head hanging backward over rest), or slide so far down away from dentist that she requests that hub or dot sit on my legs to stabilize me into place.....and that is just for cleaning......LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I am a dentist's worst nightmare...(other than a lawsuit, lol).
You know what's embarrassing though....The fact that it really isn't as bad as I think it is. Yet, my phobia simply will not allow me to relax. I freak for no reason. I know this, but can't help it.

Coming from the worst patient there possibly can be for any dentist.. it really isn't THAT bad.

Hope it goes smoothly and with minimal trauma for you.

Hugs, Rainz.

Shangrala

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Yoda

No biggie. Let them know that you want IV sedation during the procedure and have somebody to drive you home. Or nitrous oxide is good.

I had nitrous oxide, not IV sedation, and still arranged for a driver.

With upper teeth there's a risk that the roots may end right next to a sinus. One thing my dentist did after extracting the uppers was pinch my nose shut and have me blow to check for "leaks". I didn't have any but I wouldn't have wanted to skip the check -- which, of course, I needed to be awake for.

[NuckingFutz]

I rode home on my bike after mine were removed. I just thougt that was so easy...so after I took a nap, I woke up and realised that I loved my pain meds.

[phoenix47baby]

Not to worry, they will put you out. You even lose about ten pounds afterwards. It is not too bad!

[SilverNeurotic]

When I was 15 I had to have two teeth removed because I was getting braces. I was SO nervous and they were only going to give me novacaine. I ended up throwing up all over the place because my nerves got the better of me. I was SO embarrassed. I was so glad I was able to switch dentists after that.

[eskielover]

(((((Rainbowzz))))),

I'm right there with you shaking in my boots about having to have oral surgery. I need to have all of my teeth pulled & get dentures. Have needed to do this for several years now, but with no insurance & no money, I am just stalling since I am scared to death about doing it in the first place.....maybe if I wait until I absolutely have to & have no other choice, then I will force myself to do it.

Having problems eating as most of my teeth have broken off except for my front teeth....kinda hard chewind meat with my front teeth....they just weren't designed for that.

Sending hugs your way to let you know you aren't alone in your fear.


Debbie

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by eskielover

Having problems eating as most of my teeth have broken off except for my front teeth....kinda hard chewind meat with my front teeth....they just weren't designed for that.

My most recent "major" dental procedure was a couple of years ago, gum surgery in four different parts of my mouth. I anticipated some trouble chewing and arranged to borrow a blender ahead of time. It's possible Rainbowzz may have some use for this recipe too, after her extractions:

Dagwood Sandwich (standard version for comparison):
2 slices whole wheat bread
About 1 oz. Swiss cheese, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
About 1/2 oz. feta cheese
1 generous handful greens (dandelion or romaine)
Dash of salad dressing

Blender version
Blend 2 slices bread with a little milk, pour puddle on one side of large plate.
Blend cheese(s) with a little milk, pour on plate next to first puddle.
Blend tomato with greens, pour on plate next to other puddles.
Eat with spoon, rotating among the puddles.

I seem to remember puddled chicken and even puddled steak (with puddled collard greens) on occasion. My surgeon said the stitches could come out after 2 weeks but it took a little longer for the actual appointment. It was still a bit painful eating normal food even then.

[Yoda]

My son and I are traveling a six hour round trip to a dental school at the university I went to. I had student dentist do root canals, gold fillings, gold cap, et cetera when I was a student there thirty years ago and all the dentists since who have seen my mouth say, who did that work? that is very nice. Seeing students is pretty low cost compared to what local licensed dentists charge. It takes a bit more time because everything the students do has to be checked by their instructors but I am happy with them.

A couple of months ago during my initial assessment my student asked me if I missed the teeth that had been extracted. One I don't miss at all but the two lower molars that were side by side I do miss when chewing. He told me I might be a candidate for implants. They will do all the other needed work first and then assess my bone structure to see if I have enough bone for implants. The cost would be $1500 per implant but by the time we get that far into my treatment I am hoping to have my IRS issues settled so I can start working per diem as a RN again. I would still have to make payments to afford that but I hope that my bone structure is solid enough to support the implants.

I don't know if "regular" dentists do implants or just oral surgeons or how it works but those of you missing some molar might want to ask about that as an alternative to dentures.