Thanks for the response, Steve.
I guess you pointed to the nature of the problem, and the probable
cause and solution.

As to Webby's question as to what I think is the mistake, it seems to
me that it is a mistake to let so much saliva gather in your patient's
throat that he is choking, and then not do anything about it!

This was not during implant surgery, if it was, I think the prof or
assistant would have addressed it. This was when he uncovered the
implants by cutting back my gums where he had covered them months
before to prevent infection.

What I was wondering is whether or not having a patient start choking
on saliva is common, and what you should do about it, and what the
patient should do.

The problem was, my mouth was full of cotton, so I could not speak,
the surgeon asked me if I needed a break and before I could say YES!,
he said, "This will just take a few more minutes, I'm almost done", so
I allowed him to continue (what choice did I really have?), and then
it took not just a few more minutes but another half an hour in which
I kept choking every few minutes and was using all my energy and
strength of mind not to allow myself to cough from the choking on
saliva in my throat. I was trying to swallow but could not swallow it
all and it kept gathering there.

I won't see this surgeon again until May when he cuts back the gums on
the upper 2 implants I just had. I will try to remember to tell him,
"Please, if I start to choke, let me take a break!"

I think it is just a matter of him taking longer than a regular
dentist, and then not being willing to stop to let me take a quick 1
minute break. Next time I'll tell him if I can remember.

I was just wondering if this was a common situation, or do I just have
more saliva build up than most, or is the dentist not suctioning
properly, or ?

Well, first off, I never read the original post.  Second, I'm not
a surgeon who places implants.

In reading the post, it sounds like a pretty simple explanation.
If you only have trouble with this one dentist, then it is some
combination of taking too long with the procedure, not keeping you
rinsed and suctioned well, and not giving you any rest periods.

Students are usually slower than experienced practitioners.  That
may be the main reason for your problem.  You probably don't want
him to speed up on your treatment.

You should have a discussion about this problem before the appt.
so he can find ways of making you more comfortable.

One of the trade offs when using dental schools for treatment.

JMO,
Steve

Why won't anyone touch this thread?
It leads me to believe that it IS the mistake of an inexperienced
surgeon, and no one wants to come out and say that.
or...?

Whenever I get gum surgery or implant surgery from my grad-student
dentist, I always end up choking towards the end of the session - an
hour and a half or so...

I always seem to get a lot of saliva and/or crap from the surgery
(blood, etc.?) in my throat and I find it difficult to swallow and end
up coughing/choking. I do my best to control it as he is suturing or
finishing up but it becomes very uncomfortable.

Should I demand to let him let me get up and rinse/spit, or what?

I have only had this problem with my implant and related surgeries by
this grad-student dentist and I don't know if it's because I've never
had such long sessions before, or if it's his or the assistant's
inexperience in getting me "suctioned" properly or ...?

Yesterday I had the gums cut open to reveal the 4 implants I had in
July (to prepare for crowns, finally!) and I was choking like crazy at
one point so he said, "Do you need to rinse?" and before I could say
yes, he said "We're almost done..."...

so I waited... another HALF HOUR of choking!

I hate to be a difficult patient so I just put up with it, but this
seems somewhat abusive and in retrospect I think I should have
demanded to get up and spit...

What is a patient to do?