What Sedation is Used for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
When it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth, there’s one question almost every patient asks us: how much will it hurt?
It’s perfectly natural to be concerned about the pain associated with wisdom teeth extraction. Like any surgery, wisdom teeth removal isn’t entirely pain-free, however, if you look at the 2,000+ Google reviews we’ve accumulated between Franklin Lakes, Hackensack, Ridgewood, and Westwood, you’ll feel confident knowing that we are committed to making you as comfortable as possible during any procedure with our team.
Choosing the right anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal is a big part of making your surgery comfortable and stress-free. At Bergen Oral Surgery, we offer three options to keep our patients comfortable throughout the procedure: general anesthesia, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas.
In this post, we’ll explore each of the available options to help you decide what’s right for you.
Understanding the Types of Sedation Used in Wisdom Teeth Removal
To help patients feel comfortable during their wisdom teeth removal, the Bergen Oral Surgery team uses local anesthesia as well as three different sedation methods: nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.
Local Anesthesia
If you’ve ever had a root canal or a filling, you’ve probably experienced local anesthesia. It is commonly used for minor dental procedures, and it can be used in wisdom teeth extraction as well. By injecting lidocaine into the area around the teeth, patients will not feel pain during the extraction.
Because the impacts of local anesthesia are confined to the affected area, recovery is much easier than with sedation. You may be numb, but you’ll have full use of your faculties. However, there’s one big drawback: while local anesthesia prevents patients from feeling pain, it doesn’t prevent them from experiencing the other sensations of a wisdom tooth extraction. With local anesthesia alone, patients are completely alert during the procedure. That means that they can hear and feel other sensations from the extraction process–just not pain.
For a quick, straightforward removal of wisdom teeth that have already erupted, that might be okay. For more complex extractions, local anesthesia is usually just one part of an overall strategy to help you stay comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Laughing gas, more formally known as nitrous oxide, is a mild sedative gas administered through the nose and mouth. The gas is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen and is usually inhaled through a mask. It’s called laughing gas because it has a tendency to make patients giggle—or, at the very least, put them in a very good mood. You’ll still be awake, and still generally aware of what’s happening, but the gas allows you to relax and become more comfortable during the procedure.
Nitrous oxide works fast, and the effects wear off quickly too, usually within ten minutes or so after you stop inhaling it. Many patients who use laughing gas drive themselves home after their extraction procedure.
Patients who use laughing gas for their wisdom tooth extraction are less aware of (or simply less bothered by) the pain of the extraction. However, because nitrous oxide is considered a mild form of sedative, some patients report that they still feel some of the sensations of the removal. It may not work for everyone, and anxious patients may especially need something a little stronger to get through the procedure.
Moderate to Deep IV Sedation
IV sedation is the most common choice for wisdom teeth removal. The goal of IV sedation is to have a comfortable experience throughout the procedure. There are several levels of IV sedation ranging from a lighter twilight IV sedation whereby you are awake but rarely remember the procedure, to a deeper sedation whereby you are asleep the whole time.
As the name implies, IV sedation is administered intravenously using a needle. Passing directly into the patient’s bloodstream, IV sedation works quickly. Patients who opt for IV sedation relax even more than is possible with nitrous oxide. The amount of sedative being used can be easily adjusted, ensuring that every patient gets just the right amount to help them reach the optimal state of relaxation. This can range from being awake to not remembering or being fully asleep.
General Anesthesia
The final form of sedation for wisdom teeth extraction is general anesthesia. With general anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal, patients are completely asleep throughout the procedure. It is typically only recommended in cases where the extraction is expected to be unusually complex, or when the patient is extremely anxious. We also offer hospital-based general anesthesia for very challenging procedures or for patients that require closer medical attention. Our team maintains hospital privileges in New York and New Jersey.
Can Oral Surgeons Administer General Anesthesia?
Yes, oral surgeons are qualified to administer all levels of sedation for wisdom teeth removal. We receive extensive training in sedation techniques during our residency programs, which typically last four to six years. The team of oral surgeons at Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in NJ maintains hospital privileges in NY and NJ where we can bring patients, if needed, for complex surgeries.
We are also required to maintain certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and adhere to strict safety protocols to ensure patient safety during procedures. The Bergen Oral Surgery offices in NJ are equipped with hospital-grade monitoring equipment to track vital signs throughout the procedure.
More importantly, our team of oral surgeons is the only team in Bergen County with dual degrees in medicine and oral surgery. This additional education equips our surgeons with even more knowledge and skills to address any potential issues during your procedure.
How to Choose the Right Sedation Option
When you are preparing to have your wisdom teeth taken out, your oral surgeon will help you determine the best sedation option for you. Typically, we consider a range of factors, including:
- The complexity of the extraction
- Your overall health, including any chronic diseases or other medical concerns
- Whether or not you are or may be pregnant
- Your level of anxiety about the procedure
- Any risk factors like smoking, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, and more.
What sedation is used for wisdom teeth removal ultimately depends on each patient. While it’s important to consider these factors, your surgeon will also take your personal preferences into account.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Sedation
Your oral surgeon will give you strict instructions to follow before, during, and after your procedure, depending on what sedation is used for your wisdom teeth removal.
Before your surgery, the surgical team at Bergen Oral Surgery in NJ will prepare you for your procedure. This includes reviewing your medical history, discussing your concerns, and deciding on the right sedation options for you. For IV sedation and general anesthesia, a period of fasting is required to prevent certain complications. You usually don’t need to fast before receiving local anesthesia or nitrous oxide.
During your procedure, you will be closely monitored by the expert Bergen Oral Surgery team. You’ll either be awake (as with local anesthesia), awake and relaxed (nitrous oxide), slightly awake (IV sedation), or sleeping (general anesthesia).
After the procedure, recovery is important. Your surgeon will give you clear instructions to follow to recover safely. For local anesthesia and laughing gas, recovery occurs in a matter of minutes, though you’ll likely have some lingering numbness around the injection site. Patients who opt for these options can usually drive themselves home after their extraction.
After IV sedation, the recovery process is usually quick, approximately 15-30 minutes before you and your escort can be discharged. For general anesthesia, that monitoring lasts quite a bit longer. In both cases, you’ll need someone to drive you home and to stay with you until the effects clear.
The Comfortable and Safe Choice for Wisdom Teeth Removal in NJ
Whether you’re concerned about sedation, pain, or surgery in general, it’s completely normal to be nervous before having your wisdom teeth removed. With the variety of sedation options available to you at Bergen Oral Surgery, we can help you find the right method to ensure your extraction and recovery are as comfortable as possible.
Our highly skilled team has more than 70 years of experience in providing excellent oral surgery services, including wisdom teeth removal. Our doctors are always on call to answer questions and respond to emergencies, ensuring that you’re cared for even after you leave our office.
To learn more about wisdom teeth removal in NJ and get your sedation questions answered, schedule a consultation. Call or text us at (201) 477-2667 to set up an appointment at one of our four NJ oral surgery offices.
Personalized, gentle, comprehensive patient care is our number one priority.
About Dr. Mark Park, DMD, MD
Dr. Park is a highly skilled, Board-Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with advanced training in dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, and complex full-mouth rehabilitation, including the All-on-4 dental implant procedure. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, Dr. Park’s expertise spans dental implants, bone grafting, maxillofacial trauma, and cleft lip and palate care.
Dr. Park is committed to patient care, having provided surgical treatment to underserved children through the Smiles International Foundation. He also maintains teaching privileges at Hackensack University Medical Center and Columbia University.
Learn more about Dr. Park’s extensive experience and qualifications on his full bio page.
Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal: FAQ
Still have questions about the sedation options for your wisdom teeth removal surgery? Here are some of the top questions we see in our consultations.
What is the best sedation method for wisdom teeth removal?
The “best” sedation or anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal depends on the patient, their pain tolerance, their medical history, and their level of anxiety going into the procedure. Your surgeon will work with you before the procedure to determine the best wisdom teeth removal sedation for you.
Is laughing gas or IV sedation better for wisdom teeth removal?
IV sedation is the most commonly used sedation for wisdom teeth removal. However, both laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, and IV sedation have benefits and risks. Whether one is better for you depends on each patient’s individual circumstances.
Are you awake during wisdom teeth removal?
Depending on the type of sedation your surgeon recommends, you may be awake during your wisdom tooth extraction. Nitrous oxide and IV sedation will not put you to sleep, but they help you to relax so that you’re more comfortable throughout the procedure.
Is propofol used for wisdom teeth removal?
Yes. Propofol is the most common medication used for IV sedation.
