Anesthesia for Wisdom Teeth Removal in Portland, Lake Oswego, and Lake Grove
Dr. Geisler offers several oral surgery sedation options for wisdom teeth removal. The anesthesia used is based on factors such as your overall health, the complexity of the procedure, and your level of dental anxiety. Dr. Geisler is highly experienced and thoroughly trained in the appropriate use of all forms of anesthesia. She strives to provide every patient with gentle care, minimal stress, and no pain during wisdom teeth removal.
Dr. Geisler usually recommends IV sedation for patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction. For the most complex procedures, she may prefer using general anesthesia in a hospital setting or surgical center to monitor vital signs and ensure patient safety carefully.
Sedation Options for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Dr. Geisler offers various oral surgery sedation options for wisdom teeth removal. In addition to local anesthetics to numb the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues, anesthesia helps relax the patient and reduce or eliminate their anxiety.
Wisdom teeth sedation options include:
- Nitrous Oxide* – Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide relaxes the patient and instills a feeling of well-being. You are able to respond to Dr. Geisler but may drift in and out of a sleepy state. Giggling is often a side effect of nitrous oxide.
- Oral sedation* – For patients whose anxiety may flare up well before surgery, oral sedation is an option. The medication is a pill taken at home before coming to our office for your wisdom tooth extractions. You feel calm, relaxed, and drowsy, but do not fall asleep. Oral sedation must be taken about an hour before surgery, so you need someone to drive you to and from Dr. Geisler’s office.
*Both nitrous oxide and oral sedation are options for patients who are afraid of needles.
- IV Sedation – Dr. Geisler frequently recommends IV sedation, as it is administered in the office, takes effect almost immediately, and is carefully monitored. She carefully places a thin IV needle in the hand or arm, administering “twilight sedation” to lull the patient into a light twilight sleep. Patients drift in and out of consciousness but do not feel any pain.
- General Anesthesia – Reserved for the most complex wisdom teeth extractions and patients with certain medical problems. Dr. Geisler will schedule your wisdom tooth removal in a local hospital if general anesthesia is needed. Throughout wisdom teeth surgery, the patient is in a deep sleep and will wake up in recovery with no memory of the procedure.
Questions About Wisdom Teeth Removal & Sedation
Am I Sedated for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Most patients prefer to be sedated when their wisdom teeth are removed. Dr. Geisler discusses your options, which include oral or IV sedation in the office or general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Most patients choose IV sedation, which puts them into light sleep during surgery. They feel no pain, are relaxed, and often do not remember the procedure. If you prefer to be awake and do not want sedation, we numb the area, so there is no pain during surgery. However, you will feel pressure as the teeth are removed from the jawbone.
Is Anesthesia Safe for Wisdom Teeth?
Definitely! Dr. Geisler completed extensive training in anesthesia during your hospital residency. Since then, she has sedated hundreds of patients for wisdom teeth surgery. Our dental care team members are fully trained in monitoring patients on anesthesia.
What are My Oral Surgery Sedation Options?
Dr. Geisler generally offers patients IV sedation, administered intravenously through a small needle. Because many patients fear needles, she gives patients nitrous oxide to relax them before inserting the IV needle. We also use local anesthetics to numb the area before surgery. If your wisdom teeth removal is unusually complex, Dr. Geisler may perform the surgery in a hospital setting under general anesthesia.
When Will My Wisdom Teeth Sedation Wear Off?
If you choose nitrous oxide for wisdom teeth removal, it wears off within a few minutes after nitrous oxide is stopped. If you receive IV sedation, you will be groggy for a few hours, so someone must be available to drive you home. It can take up to 24-36 hours for IV anesthesia to leave your system, so we recommend resting at home and not doing anything that requires concentration.
Can I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed Without Being Sedated?
Yes, it is an option. Sedation relaxes you and keeps you comfortable during your wisdom teeth removal. We can numb the area, but remember that you will still feel pressure and hear the sounds of medical instruments. This makes many patients uncomfortable. You will also have to sit still for anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour.
Dr. Geisler and her dental care team are dedicated to providing you and your child with a positive wisdom teeth experience in a soothing, comfortable environment. To discuss your wisdom teeth extraction or have your child’s teeth evaluated for wisdom teeth impaction, contact our office at Lake Oswego Office Phone Number 503-534-0114.
Dr. Geisler’s Wisdom Teeth Removal Expertise
Having your wisdom teeth removed can be alarming, particularly if you are a teen or young adult. When the wisdom teeth are impacted, your anxiety may increase. Dr. Geisler’s compassion-based approach to oral surgery puts her patients at ease before, during, and after wisdom teeth extraction.
If you or your child has questions about wisdom teeth removal or anesthesia options, they are answered in detail during your initial consultation. If Dr. Geisler believes it is best to wait and watch, she will tell you. If she thinks the teeth need removing, she explains the process using computer imaging so that you have a clear picture of what to expect. As a trained oral surgeon, Dr. Geisler has safely and gently removed thousands of wisdom teeth using the latest technologies for your comfort and successful results.
