Different anesthesia = different procedures?

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MobyGamer@gmail.com - 04 Dec 2006 21:23 GMT

I'm scheduled to have my lower third molars removed in two days; one
due to severe decay and loss (less than 15% remaining above gumline),
the other because it is starting to go down the same road. I haven't
made the decision yet whether to do so under local anesthesia (awake)
or general (asleep). I have read that the procedure may involve
breaking the tooth into sections to facilitate removal -- I think I'm
mature enough to handle this while conscious. My questions are:

- Does local vs. general mean different procedures will be used for
extraction?

- If so, which one leads to the easiest removal for the surgeon? (ie.
the best possible extraction results)

I ask because I am more concerned for the health of my mouth than my
comfort during the procedure. If anyone could reply in the next 24
hours, I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks.

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 04 Dec 2006 21:36 GMT

> I'm scheduled to have my lower third molars removed in two days; one
> due to severe decay and loss (less than 15% remaining above gumline),
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> - Does local vs. general mean different procedures will be used for
> extraction?

No.

> - If so, which one leads to the easiest removal for the surgeon? (ie.
> the best possible extraction results)

Unless you're so fearful you're jumping around in the chair, it
shouldn't make any difference. But this assumes you have good, profound
local anesthesia. If you can tolerate the noises and feeling of
pressure without fussing around, you should be fine with local
anesthesia alone.

Steve

> I ask because I am more concerned for the health of my mouth than my
> comfort during the procedure. If anyone could reply in the next 24
> hours, I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks.

Signature

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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Jim Leonard - 04 Dec 2006 22:44 GMT

> Unless you're so fearful you're jumping around in the chair, it
> shouldn't make any difference. But this assumes you have good, profound
> local anesthesia. If you can tolerate the noises and feeling of
> pressure without fussing around, you should be fine with local
> anesthesia alone.

Something tells me you've had to deal with one too many jumpy patients
who regretted the decision to go with local over general ;-)

I've gotten over various medical fears through research; I find that I
am much less fearful of conditions/procedures once I understand the
cause and the various treatment options. Thanks for the info; it
sounds like a local is better for my situation.

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 04 Dec 2006 22:49 GMT

>> Unless you're so fearful you're jumping around in the chair, it
>>shouldn't make any difference. But this assumes you have good, profound
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Something tells me you've had to deal with one too many jumpy patients
> who regretted the decision to go with local over general ;-)

In all honesty, these are learning experiences. We don't strap
patients down; if a patient wants to stop, we stop.
Probably the bigger problem is patients who ask us not to use local
because they don't "need" it, when really the problem is fear of the
injection--because a patient who jumps suddenly can do a lot of
damage--to themselves, and to me.

> I've gotten over various medical fears through research; I find that I
> am much less fearful of conditions/procedures once I understand the
> cause and the various treatment options. Thanks for the info; it
> sounds like a local is better for my situation.

That's the way it's supposed to work; and it sounds like you've
considered this quite properly.

Good luck,
Steve

Signature

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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Jim Leonard - 08 Dec 2006 18:15 GMT

> > I've gotten over various medical fears through research; I find that I
> > am much less fearful of conditions/procedures once I understand the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> That's the way it's supposed to work; and it sounds like you've
> considered this quite properly.

Thanks for contributing to the process :-)

I was fortunate enough to find a surgeon with 28 years of experience in
a modern facility and he was very pleasant and did his best to take my
mind off of the procedure (I went with local anasthesia).
Unfortunately, I vomited 10 hours after the procedure due to not having
a full enough stomach for the Vicodin I was prescribed for pain, but
hopefully I didn't contaminate the sites (it's now 48 hours after the
procedure and I feel like I'm improving).

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drj1965@gmail.com - 05 Dec 2006 00:20 GMT

> > I'm scheduled to have my lower third molars removed in two days; one
> > due to severe decay and loss (less than 15% remaining above gumline),
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Brooklyn, NY
> 718-258-5001

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