[Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Just a quick poll... For those of you who have had general anesthesia for dental procedures, have you had any ill effects afterwards?

If yes, can you describe it?

Thanks.

Edited to add - pressed enter on accident, meant to include "Had general once - had problems (explain)". Even if you only had it once and had a problem, please choose the last one. Thanks!

Edited edited again lol

I mean getting knocked out, going to sleep, and waking up to find yourself done with the procedure like a tooth extraction.

Message edited 2/10/2008 2:59:58 PM.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

are you talking like novacaine??
i just had a couple fillings done like 2 weeks ago, and i was numb for like 5 hours afterward- LOL but, thats about it. once i could feel my mouth again, i was fine- LOL
it was hysterical because DH and i had fillings the same day, and we didn't eat dinner till almost 9:30 that night because neither of us could feel our mouths- LOL
i've also had regualar anethesia to have 10 teeth pulled when i was about 9 years old. i don't remember it TOO well, but i don't remember there being any bad affects from it... i was just kind of drowsy the rest of day, and i also got a little bit queesy when i woke up- i don't remember throwing up or anything, though...

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Are you talking about regular dentistry or oral surgery? I'm in the dental field & I would not use general anesthia as a patient unless it was major oral surgery I needed.
"Novocain" has come a long way & works very well with few side affects these days. I know many general dentists are offering "sedation dentistry" , I'm not a fan of it. They take a very quick course in sedation in order to get certified.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I edited to explain. I mean getting an IV and going to sleep for the duration of the procedure... Like a tooth extraction.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

for a tooth extraction, if you are very apprehensive it is probably worth it.
Even the most difficult extraction on a sedated patient takes less than 15 minutes.
If you are not a nervous patient stay awake. They are going to use enough local to practically kill a small animal.
Good luck

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

When I was 16, I was knocked out when I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed. When I came to, I was nauseous as all hell. I thought it was because it was a rainy day and my head was stuffed. I came to learn after other procedures requiring general anesthesia, that I just don't respond well to it no matter what part of my body is being operated on including my mouth, abdomen and "lady parts."

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I had it for wisdom tooth extraction (by an oral surgeon). No problems. Fell right asleep, and woke right up afterwards.

Of course I was groggy for several hours afterwards, so the rest of the day was shot, but no other side effects.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Posted by KellyFG

for a tooth extraction, if you are very apprehensive it is probably worth it.
Even the most difficult extraction on a sedated patient takes less than 15 minutes.
If you are not a nervous patient stay awake. They are going to use enough local to practically kill a small animal.
Good luck

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Ive been knocked out 2x for dental work (wisdom teeth removal). Knocked out for umbilical hernia surgery and never had any problems with any of them.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Btw, I'm not having anything done. I was just curious.

"Sweet Air" actually makes me naseous. I liken it to being really drunk - the room won't stay still and I feel pins and needles in my scalp.

Not to mention the one time I had it for an extraction, the smell of the drill and the bits of teeth flying out of my mouth weren't very pleasant!

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Is happy juice an option for you? I had 4 teeth extracted at one time and they gave me the option of IV meds or the gas. I took the gas and it was the most pleasant dentist appointment I have ever experienced.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I was put out when I had 6 teeth pulled (4 wisdom and 2 molars) I woke up crying. I think that all the fear in me came out as I woke up but that was my only reaction.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

Im a dental hygienist and if someone needs a tooth extracted and doesnt do well with pain or dental anxiety then general anesthesia with IV is the way to go. I had it myself to pull out my wisdom teeth- I didnt want to know or hear the teeth crack or feel the pressure of the tooth being pulled.

We also do sedations which again are VERY safe. We have an on staff anesthesiologists.

I personally didnt have any side affects and not one patient has complained from any sedations either. It is very safe.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I'm getting my 4 teeth pulled on Saturday and because of my anxiety, I am getting knocked out. I don't want to hear, feel, smell, or see ANYTHING!!!

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I've never been knocked out for any dental procedure. Even when they were drilling in the titanium screw for my implant, it was just novocaine!

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I was knocked out to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. I had no complications at all.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I had it once, for an impacted wisdom tooth. No complaints.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I got put under 2 times and both time I was fine... no side effects (I actually threw up the first time I had anesthesia, but I think that was due to the pain meds I had taken).

The first time, I woke up crying... they said that it was normal. My mom told me I should be crying because I had just lost 20 minutes of my life... great help right? I cried for about 2 minutes and then I was fine.

The second time, I was very out of it and asked for them to give me the teeth they had just pulled out ( )... about a half hour later when I was back to normal, I couldn't figure out why I had the teeth.

Any feeling of being "out of it" subsides after about 20-30 minutes.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I had general anethesia twice for my wisdom teeth....the first time I was fine...the second time, they must have given me too much of something...I fainted leaving the office and had to be carried back and given oxygen....I felt so sick for a few days after.
Thankfully that was the last time...no more wisdom teeth.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I had anesthesia twice for having teeth pulled. I had no problems at all. For me, I have such a phobia and anxiety - it is the only way to go.

I actually found out afterwards that it was a good thing I did because he had a difficult time with my tooth - he said it had long, skinny roots.

Message edited 2/10/2008 5:16:30 PM.

Re: [Poll] General anesthesia question for dental procedures

I woke up crying the first time too. I felt like a little child, like I wanted my Mommy.

I've had my share of extensive novocaine only procedures though. I had three crowns put in right in the front of my mouth and when he stuck that needle in my gum, I saw stars. Even after numbing it beforehand.

I guess the thicker the gum, the less it hurts. He did a few things on my back molars and I didn't feel a damn thing.

I love my dentist.