I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed last year. The first two i had taken out at the dentist with just a few injections in my mouth to numb the area (no sedation or drugs to relax me at all ). The ordeal was very unpleasent and i would not recomend it at all. When i had the other 2 removed at the other side (top and bottom) I was send to the out patient unit at the hospital to have a general anaesthetic. I had gas there. Its not so bad. I would advise this definatly more than the injections.

Well, I wasn't under general - that's a whole 'nother world of sedation. I was just under "twilight." As far as pain went, well, you can read my journal entries for the time period after the surgery. Bottom line, I hurt like nothing I'd ever experienced before. Get all the drugs they'll give you, and don't be afraid to use them. I couldn't eat solid foods for about a week and a half. Miserable, miserable.

But other people had easier experiences than I did. How was your first tooth extraction experience? That should give you an idea.

I've got to have three wisdom teeth removed in hospital witha general anaesthetic in the near future. My own dentist took out one with a local and decided he wasn't up to removing the other three, so I'm now on the waiting list for oral surgery.
I've never been hospitalised before and never had an operation with a general anaesthetic, so I'd like to know exactly what I'm in for from someone whos'e had wisdom teeth removed themselves.
How soon can you eat solid food again?
What's the post-operative pain really like?
Do you get a choice of being put to sleep by gas or injection and, if so, which is better?
I don't like having needles stuck in me but I'm told that the gas smells pretty unpleasant and that you tend to throw up a lot when you come round.
So - what's the procedure and what do I need to do to make it as trauma-free as possible?

I meant to also say that my wisdom tooth extraction was by far the easiest dental procedure I've ever had done. After having that done, I think of oral surgery as something very, very different from office dentistry. The oral surgery is much easier on the patient. Now if only they'd give IV sedation for fillings...

You'll be fine. And you know what? It's not always an awful thing. Just ask them to sedate you before you see very much, or if they're doing it under gas, to give you something that makes you loopy so you (a) don't remember and (b) don't care. My mil, an OR nurse, swears by Versed. DH asked for that when they did his vasectomy under local, and it made him so happy that he told the doctor jokes through the entire procedure. He was very nervous beforehand, so that's proof positive that those things WORK. Afterwards, ask if you can have a prescription for steroids to control the swelling (along with pain meds, of course). My oral surgeon gave those to me and they worked wonders. I only felt discomfort for about half a day, max. It isn't always a difficult thing.

Carrie, I'll echo the thought that if you can have a baby, you can make it through wisdom teeth removal. :) I am the biggest wuss in the world, and I made it through WT surgery (two pulled, two impacted) a couple of years ago just fine.

Upsides to look forward to:
* They will give you "the good stuff" - you shouldn't be in any pain. (No really. Did I mention what a wuss I am? Wouldn't lie to you about that part.)
* Total carte blanche to stuff yourself silly with ice cream. Whee!!!!

Carrie--you will be ok. I hated the dentist, too until I got an especially kind and gentle one and,well,I dont like it but I am not panicked when I have to go.Bagged frozen peas ,make a great ice pack for around jaws. You didnt say if they will be pulled or removed needing an incision. Makes a huge difference. Mine were pulled and it was pretty easy. You had a baby, honey, you can do this!!!!

{{{hugs}}} I absolutely HATE going to the dentist as well. I'll be thinking of you.

You'll be okay! It really is like one minute you are lying there with laughing gas, the next thing they are waking you up! I did get a dry socket, though. That is where the blood doesn't flow to the new hole. They stuffed mine with a clove(!) and it made everything taste like cloves for a few days. But other than that - it wasn't too bad! Lots of ice cream (ALWAYS a good thing in my book) and mashed potatoes, too!

I had mine done a few years ago, also under IV sedation. The procedure itself is not bad at all. My suggestion to you is to rest, USE ICE PACKS, and eat "mushy" foods (potatos, apple sauce). I found the swelling to be the most uncomfortable thing during the recovery period, so using ice packs to keep that down will help you tremendously. They gave me a very strong drug afterwards, but I don't like taking them. Advil worked well enough for me. Make sure someone drives you there, and can watch Sam for about 24-36 hours afterwards for you. Good luck!

I had it done at 19, under general anesthesia (gas, though, not IV). I sat in the chair, breathed into the mask, blinked shut my eyes, opened my eyes to look around one more time--when I realized they were saying "okay, you can get up now!" Amazing how easy it was to go under, I was sure no time had elapsed at all. Out in the waiting room my mom was finished with her magazine.

You'll be okay. Buy yourself some treats, relax a few days and have everyone baby you a bit.

I believe the usual procedure is to do it under IV sedation. I have to have the same. I'm 24 and was supposed to have them out when I was 19. But now we have no dental insurance, so I have to wait until we do. I'm not exactly pushing the issue, though if you know what I mean. 2 of mine are impacted and the other 2 don't have room to sprout except a little past the surface of my gums. Are you having all 4 done at once? Make sure to stock up on soft foods.
Why the dental phobia? Bad experience as a child?