When wisdom teeth need to be extracted, there are several different types of anesthesia that can be used. While a local anesthetic is the most common choice, there are other options, including IV sedation and general anesthesia.
In this article, the dentists at Clinique Evoro present an overview of the different types of anesthesia that can be used for a wisdom tooth extraction.
When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to erupt. They usually appear in late adolescence, between the ages of 16 and 25. However, they can appear earlier, later, or never appear at all.
You may be wondering why wisdom teeth get removed. While some people don’t experience any problems as their wisdom teeth develop, others may end up with severe pain, a dental cyst or an infection. In such cases, extraction is recommended.
The best time to remove wisdom teeth is before they begin to cause problems. At that stage, the roots are not yet fully developed, which simplifies the operation.
The difference between local anesthesia, general anesthesia and IV sedation
Extraction is usually recommended when the patient is experiencing wisdom tooth pain or other symptoms. Most of the time, wisdom teeth removal is performed under local anesthetic, but other types of anesthesia may be recommended in some cases. Let’s take a look at the available options.
Local anesthesia
Wisdom teeth extraction is usually performed under local anesthetic. This type of anesthesia is powerful enough to ensure that the patient feels no pain, but they may feel pressure on their teeth.
The time required to perform the procedure varies depending on its complexity. The extraction can be done by a general dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon.
If all four wisdom teeth are extracted under local anesthetic, the procedure will usually be done one side at a time (the two on the left, then the two on the right, or vice versa).
IV sedation
As its name suggests, intravenous sedation involves injecting a sedative into a vein to help the patient relax. The sedative works fairly quickly and alters the patient’s state of consciousness. They will have little or no memory of the operation.
IV sedation is often recommended when all four wisdom teeth need to be removed in a single operation.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia is rarely used for wisdom teeth removal in Quebec. However, it may be recommended if the operation is particularly difficult or the patient is particularly anxious.
If general anesthesia is deemed necessary, a pre-operative consultation and a one-day hospital stay must be scheduled.
Face your wisdom tooth extraction with serenity at Clinique Evoro
The choice between local anesthesia, general anesthesia and intravenous sedation depends on the patient’s preferences and the recommendations of the healthcare provider.
If you live in the Gatineau area and are anxious at the prospect of wisdom tooth extraction, make an appointment at Clinique Evoro. Our dentists provide painless procedures under intravenous sedation in the calm and comfort of our clinic. We also offer extraction under local and general anesthetic.
If you have wisdom tooth pain that requires urgent treatment, contact our emergency dental service in Gatineau without delay!