I have an appointment tomorrow morning to have my wisdom teeth extracted. The idea of being put under scares the smurf out of me. I can feel a panic attack coming on just thinking about it. That said, I am trying to keep an open mind to it in case it becomes necessary (though I'm not sure why it would).

I know wisdom teeth can be removed with just a local anesthetic, but all I keep reading is that most oral surgeons aren't too fond of going that route because it somehow makes their job more difficult. If my surgeon doesn't even offer a local as an option, I'm outta there; unconsciousness shouldn't be my only choice.

For those of you who have had your wisdom teeth removed, how was the procedure and the recovery? Did you opt for the popular deep sleep or choose to stay awake for the drilling and cutting? Any complications during or after?

General anesthesia was never even offered to me. Not even IV sedation. All I had were oral drugs. I don't remember anything about the procedure so it couldn't have been too bad. After however was another story. I refused getting help going upstairs to my bedroom (was in high school at the time) and ended up passing out right next to my bed, nearly cracking my jaw. If given the choice today I would choose general anesthesia.

i have a extreme fear of dentist.

The only way they can get anywhere near my mouth is if im passed out.

The dentist numbed my face and just pulled them out. I didn't want to be put to sleep. It didn't hurt at all, just a lot of tugging lol

I had local and was fine. It was a relief to have mine taken out. The worst part is the blood.

I did local...

I would do local again.

I wasn't completely out, but I don't remember it.

I had the EASIEST recovery. I had all 4 removed in the morning and by 6p I was at rehearsal singing and dancing (summer theatre) and my stitches started falling out.

NO complications. VERY little pain. I say invest in tea bags; as soon as I got home and got the cotton out of my mouth, I had tea bags in my mouth (don't remember flavor or brand tho, it was 17 years ago (smurf, that long already?!))

I just had two of mine removed on Thursday with just local injections of Novocaine. It didn't hurt but there was a lot of tugging sensations.

I just had local and I was fine. Ask for something to relax you (like a Valium)

The procedure took all of 15 minutes...Glad I wasn't put out for that and have to deal with feeling like crap and having to wake up afterwards.

I had general anesthesia because mine were impacted and had not erupted. If they had already erupted, I probably would have gone the local anesthesia route. The procedure wasn't too bad. My biggest problem was that the pain killers made me barf. I felt pretty normal again 3-4 days later. It was almost 10 years ago, so the details are a little hazy. lol.

I was given twilight and I PASSED. OUT. I woke up to my mother and the nurse sitting me down in the chair with gauze in my mouth. It honestly was NOT bad.

I was out completely, I remember being in mid sentence and then wondering when we were starting (they had just finished lol). I am happy I was out. My healing process was awful but we didn't know Vicodin didn't work for me it makes me sick. My DH got his out 2 years ago and he did great. He was out for the removal but he was up and at work the next day. A little puffy but felt good.

Thanks for everyone's stories! It helped me make my decision.

Went with local. Soooooo happy with my decision. The procedure took less than 5 minutes and I didn't feel a thing - haven't had any pain during the recovery either (so far anyway). Been smiling, having a grand ol' time with my boys all day. Glad to not be loopy and out of it.

Quoting kr.r:" Thanks for everyone's stories! It helped me make my decision. Went with local. Soooooo happy with my ... [snip!] ... either (so far anyway). Been smiling, having a grand ol' time with my boys all day. Glad to not be loopy and out of it."

Yay! Yea after I was done I was like "Man...im glad I didn't send the extra money to be put out for THAT"