<p>Hey, this is a bit off topic, but I’m only a high schooler, and I have to get mine removed in a few weeks. I need to keep something from my parents though (yes, I feel bad and am sorry although it’s nothing bad, but what can I do) and I am worried that if I get nitrous oxide or something similar, then I will just sort of blurt it out. Will this possibly happen and if so, are there any other alternatives that would keep me a bit less out of it?</p>
<p>Well, I’d never had nitrous before having my teeth pulled a couple months ago, and it had absolutely no effect on me. Besides, you won’t be blurting anything out while they’re scraping and pulling on your teeth.</p>
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Anxiousmom - is this in Austin? If so, I live really close to Pharmco. Do you know if it’s an on-going deal or just once in awhile?</p>
<p>Peugeot - nitrous won’t make you blurt anything. It isn’t that strong.</p>
<p>What does the army do? When I was on active duty, I had a lower wisdom tooth, horizontally bone impacted, removed with a local anesthetic. Two years later, the VA paid while I was in grad school to remove the lower horizontally bone impacted on the other side. You should have seen the x-ray of the tooth’s head under the crown of the adjacent. For the second, I had to insist on a local - I wanted to know what he was doing, and that way the dentist couldn’t pry and bang as much. As a result, I had very little post op pain either time. Nothing tylenol couldn’t handle. </p>
<p>As for the noise, yes, I still remember many years later. Scraping, drilling, popping. But the best was when he said “I’m going to do some tapping now” meaning he was going to chisel the roots out. His assistant held my lower jaw while he pounded away. I could only think that, yes, that novocaine does work!</p>
<p>I’m a strong advocate of local or regional anesthesia whenever it is an option, even for major procedures. You are far more likely to avoid problems, and you’ll feel better sooner. Sedation can take the anxiety edge off.</p>
<p>NO2 was described to me as getting really stoned on pot. I did not know what that was like (still don’t) so the dentist told me it was like getting really drunk. Since I didn’t know what that was like either … he said I was simply going to find out.</p>
<p>The ending to that story is that … I had the NO2, sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes until it had supposedly worn off … with the doc’s blessing, drove home (30 min drive). Turned into the icy downhill driveway, hit the brakes, and started to slide. First thought " I’m going to hit the garage door. Wheeeee!" Stopped 10 feet from garage door. Realized that my perceptions and reactions were way off. Probably shouldn’t have been driving, but the doc said I was fine …</p>
<p>But I don’t think the NO2 is strong enough to make you blurt out secrets.</p>
<p>…Whereas I drove home with no problem, and a numb jaw with just novocaine. No light headedness, no buzz. Just normal.</p>
<p>newmassdad - I don’t think the army question had to do with how wisdom teeth are removed in the army. I think the question was whether the army (and the Peace Corps) encouraged people to have their wisdom teeth out prohylactically, to avoid having problems while stationed somewhere with limited acess to oral surgeons or where it could be dangerous to be less than 100%. What do you think, army-wise?</p>
<p>I’ve had all four out, right side in summer '03, left side in summer '04. It wasn’t as bad because I still had a side of my mouth that I could eat with (sort of). Salt water worked well, but I didn’t do the elevation so it was sore for a day or two after and swelling wasn’t completely gone for 3-4 days after. If you don’t want to blurt things out or feel dizziness or nausea afterwords, don’t take the narcotics. </p>
<p>My sister had all four done just after her 21st b-day, and it took about two weeks to get over it completely. </p>
<p>Also, the dissolving stitches: they say 3-7 days for them to dissolve but it could be sooner. (one of mine popped the night after I had it done). As long as there’s no really heavy bleeding when it comes out, it’s alright. 5 days is about right, and you’ll be jumping for joy when the last one is gone. IMO, the numbness and stitches are the worst part of the whole thing! But having non-dissolving stitches that yoy go back to have the surgeon cut is another option that I might have gone for if it had been offered to me. Then you know when they’ll be gone. </p>
<p>With Gen. Anesthesia, they MAKE you bring someone else to drive you home afterwards, so all I got out of cnc’s little anecdote was a good laugh! Why would you really want to drive yourself 30 minutes after and for 30 minutes following any oral surgery? I doubt I’d be up for it.</p>