Wisdom Teeth

[nokhor]

i had my lower ones removed when i was about 17. one of the worst experiences of my life. it was a local anasthetic so i was still conscious. and it took at least 3 times as long as they thought it would. 'wow, you have really difficult teeth,' they even brought in a class of students [with my permission] to look at my procedure so they could see what it looked like with someone who has difficult teeth i guess.

[Reverend Joe]

I have only had two wisdom teeth removed, at age fifteen, and not at the same time- the dental surgeon really tried to push that one, to have them all taken out at once, but my father and I steadfastly refused. No way was I going without solid food for a week or more.

Anyway, the bad one was one wisdom tooth that had gotten caught on another tooth, and had subsequently stopped that tooth from coming up all the way. In my infinite genius, I decided to opt out of the knockout drug, mostly because it kinda freaked me out, and go for novocaine instead. What I did not know at the time was that dental surgeons are more like coal miners than true dentists. After having five or six shots of novocaine, not injected, but jammed, into my jaw, I knew this was going to be nasty. There was no pain, of course, but there was a horrible feeling of pressure, as the doctor wrenched one tooth into place, and had to pull like hell to tear the wisdom tooth loose; plus, kept feeling sick, so I would start taking deep breaths, but then the doctor and nurses would yell (well, not quite yell, but you get the point) "You're hyperventilating, you're hyperventilating, you're hyperventilating" until I stopped- but then I would get sick again!

The surgery was very nasty, and when combined with having not eaten anything all day, I went into shock on the way home, and vomited the half-cup or so of water I had drunk for breakfast onto the floor of my father's truck. Normally, this would not be a good thing to do, but considering my current state, and having had many dental surgeries himself, he let it slide.

[ajaxfetish]

I had all four out at age 16, before they'd grown in. It was part of a pain-killer study so we didn't even have to pay for it . I also got the general anesthesia, so I was out for the procedure. I remember my last thoughts beforehand, right after they put in the IV, were "I wonder how long it takes to take effect?" The feeling I had when I woke up finally made it clear why some people like drugs so much, at least until it wore off and turned to dull aching.

As for the next few days, all I can say is, "Thank God for applesauce." The least pleasant part was the hollows in the back of my mouth where they had been. Until they filled in a couple weeks later food would get caught back there, and I couldn't use a toothpick to get it out for fear of reopening the incision. Yuck.

Anyway, I was in great dental health after that . . . at least until that bike wreck in '02 made me have to replace a few of my front and center teeth. Much less fun.

Ajax

[Samurai Waki]

I had my wisdom teeth pulled when I was 17. Not a fun experience, and even less fun when you suddenly wake up in the middle of the procedure... I did learn one important lesson that day however, that I need a pretty large amount laughing gas to put me out, they said I didn't become irresponsive to pain for 40 seconds, which is the longest the dentist ever had someone stay awake for.

[Vladimir]

She did what to your vein? I've known a lot of bad medics but none have ever done that. Punched her did you? That would have been my first instinct after she told me that she made me bleed out into my rib cage. My procedure was fairly simple and they used gas to knock me out. Much like I would knock out anyone who severed my vein.

[Byzantine Prince]

I still have two gaping holes from two weeks ago when I had this operation. Crap keps falling in there and there is still some seafood that I can't get rid of. God when will they ever close!?!?!

[discovery1]

I still have two gaping holes from two weeks ago when I had this operation. Crap keps falling in there and there is still some seafood that I can't get rid of. God when will they ever close!?!?!

In the back on the bottom? I had mine pulled over summer. The holes are stilll there.

Guess I should talk about it....

Not nearly as bad as the above stories. Had all 4 out at the same time. My dad pailed at that. The operation was done very early in the morning, so the wait to eat bit wasn't a problem. Last thing I remeber was askign what the red fluid was that they were injecting into me(well, I knew what it would do). Woke up at home.... Pain kept me up for a while. Twice even took the painkillers.