Relax & Be Comfortable with IV Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

Dr. Andrew C. Aiken

The dreaded wisdom teeth removal… it’s in the back of everyone’s mind. The viral videos of loopy patients and pain-filled recoveries are all too common. Fortunately, the “Youtube phenomenon” is rarely what our patient’s experience here at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta.

This is because the doctors and team at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta are seasoned pros when it comes to wisdom teeth removal and sedation options for patients. We are happy to walk you through the ins and outs of surgery before, during, and after your treatment.

Since most everyone has to have their wisdom teeth removed, our surgeons work hard to make this process as painless as possible. Several pain-reducing techniques are offered during surgery. Some of these techniques include:

• Local anesthesia: this consists of a numbing injection which is typically performed after the gum is numbed by a numbing gel in order to eliminate pain from the surgical site. All of our surgical procedures require local anesthesia, but if you are being sedated this is done after the patient is asleep.

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: this is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”, and this is done to reduce pain and anxiety for patients who elect to stay awake during their surgery. Not every procedure is eligible for this level of sedation but when it is indicated it is proven to be highly effective.

  And lastly:

• General anesthesia/Intravenous Sedation: this type of anesthesia is completed by starting an IV line in the patient’s arm, and allows the patient to stay asleep throughout the procedure for a painless wisdom tooth extraction surgery experience.

What makes IV sedation so popular when removing wisdom teeth?

When a patient is sedated with the use of an IV, they are still safely breathing on their own, however, they are asleep and will not have much if any memory of their surgery.

It also works incredibly quickly and maintains its deeply relaxed state throughout the procedure. Because of the effects it creates on the body and brain, this technique is incredibly successful. 

After the procedure, slight “grogginess” or “sleepiness” for a few hours after surgery are typically the primary after effects. 

How to prepare for IV sedation before your oral surgery appointment

• Fast prior to the surgery! Do not eat or drink for 6 hours before the appointment check-in time (this includes water).

• Continue regularly prescribed medications! It is ok to take your regular morning medications with a small sip of water unless otherwise instructed not to do so. If you are unsure about taking something, it is always a good idea to contact our office first.

• Do not drive yourself! Ask a responsible adult to drive you to your appointment, they must stay at the office for the duration of the appointment, and be able to drive you home following your procedure.

• Clothing matters! Wear loose-fitting clothing that provides as much comfort as possible. Wear a short sleeved tshirt, and close-toed shoes that allow support, comfort, and safety.

• No substances! Do not drink alcohol or smoke at least 24 hours before the appointment.

• Avoid the bling! Do not wear jewelry or flashy nail polish during the procedure.

• Have patience! Prepare to wait, as surgeries and dental procedures can sometimes take longer than anticipated. Our oral surgeons of Atlanta and team do their best to keep on schedule. 

Any dental procedure can be nerve wracking. Wisdom tooth removal can be especially stressful. However, modern medicine and sedation methods have greatly improved the experience. 

Our surgeons advanced training in various sedation options are especially helpful when it comes to planning your surgery. We spend dedicated time at our consultation appointments to help you navigate this process and specifically design a customized treatment plan to determine the most ideal strategy for successful surgery for each individual.

It is definitely something to be considered when it's you or a loved one's turn to get your wisdom teeth out.

Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta look forward to caring for you soon!

We know the idea of oral surgery can be anxiety provoking. However, our hope is that through this blog and by gathering more information from our team and oral surgeons, we can ease any fear you may have.

Call our office today at 470-427-2854 to schedule your appointment for a thorough consultation regarding your wisdom teeth extraction and IV sedation options.

Resources:

1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction/about/pac-20395268

2) https://www.healthline.com/health/wisdom-teeth-recovery

3) https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth

4) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278239113004205

Why Would I Have My Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removed If I Feel Fine?

Dr. Drew Shessel

We’ve all been there.

“But Doc! Really. I feel fine! Are you sure I need my wisdom teeth removed? My wisdom teeth haven’t even come in yet!” Chances are, you’ve asked the same question.

You go in for your normal, 6-month dental check-up and your doctor notes it may be time for your wisdom teeth to be removed. However, you haven’t experienced any pain or discomfort...yet. 

“Why would I get my wisdom teeth taken out?” 

You start calculating costs in your head and begin planning out how long you can put off this common, necessary procedure. At that point, your doctor begins to explain why now may be the best time to have your teeth removed - before your wisdom teeth become impacted and the pain and symptoms begin.

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

Having impacted wisdom teeth is very common and can occur when teeth simply don’t have enough room in the mouth/jaw to develop normally. Sometimes wisdom teeth can become partially exposed or not exposed at all (meaning you won’t see the wisdom teeth above the gumline).  

The truth is, you may be feeling just fine, but a simple x-ray or 3D CBCT scan may reveal impacted teeth. Dealing with impacted teeth now can prevent future dental problems that can result in severe issues/pain.

What types of impacted wisdom teeth exist?

When it comes to impacted wisdom teeth, there are few different types/categories of impaction that could be affecting you -- horizontal, vertical, and angular (distal or mesial). 

Horizontal Impaction 

• This occurs when the teeth grow sideways, completely underneath the gums. 

• As the tooth grows horizontally, over time it can cause excruciating pain as it tries to push the molar forward. 

• If an x-ray or 3D CBCT scan can confirm horizontal impaction, then a tooth extraction surgery is then encouraged. Our surgeons at OSSA are highly trained and skilled in extracting horizontally impacted wisdom teeth. You’ll truly be in excellent hands.

Vertical Impaction

• This can happen when a tooth may be growing vertically, but then causes intense rubbing or pushing from beneath, which then affects the adjacent molar. 

• Your doctor will be able to assess and create a plan to best treat vertical tooth impaction.

Angular Impaction

• Angular impaction is best evaluated and treated by confirming either distal (the tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth) or mesial (the tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth). 

• While distal impaction is uncommon, our OSSA team can determine the best course of action to determine whether or not this tooth needs to be removed. 

• Mesial impaction is the most common type of impacted tooth and involves partial eruptions. Your OSSA oral surgeon can monitor, get a better view via x-ray or 3D CBCT scan, and determine if an extraction is necessary.

What are symptoms of impacted teeth?

Your impacted teeth are now starting to affect you, but how can you know that these symptoms are in line with those of impacted wisdom teeth?

Ask yourself if you are currently or have been experiencing:

1. Difficulty opening your mouth

2. Bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth

3. Jaw pain

4. Bleeding gums

5. Swelling of your gums or jaw

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta to have your symptoms evaluated. Don’t wait and let these symptoms worsen.

How can Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta help me with my impacted wisdom teeth?

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, our oral surgeons specialize in wisdom tooth extraction. Our goal is to make sure you are fully informed by answering any questions that you may have before your procedure. 

Through thorough oral examinations and dental x-rays/CBCT scans, we can determine the best treatment for you. We take our time and value our patient-surgeon collaboration. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you have a comfortable and rapid recovery following your surgery.

[NOTE: we created PDF printable post-operative teeth extraction instructions for your convenience so be sure to check them out!]

What do I do now?

Do not wait until the pain becomes so intense that your dental and overall health becomes compromised. We believe in prevention. 

You are in excellent hands with our highly experienced oral surgeons.

Schedule an appointment today by calling 470-427-2854 or by completing our online form found at https://www.oralsurgeryspecialistsatlanta.com/contact. We look forward to serving you and your family.

Resources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction/about/pac-20395268

https://www.mymed.com/tests-procedures/wisdom-teeth-removal-impacted-tooth-extraction/the-different-types-of-wisdom-tooth-impactions-and-what-they-mean

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278239113004205

Why get wisdom teeth extracted? [Infographic]

Dr. Drew Shessel

11 Reasons to Choose Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta

Dr. Andrew C. Aiken

Maybe you’ve been told by your dentist that you need oral surgery.

Maybe you (or your child, spouse, etc.) are experiencing pain in your mouth or jaw region and you know that something isn’t right.

Either way, it’s likely you’re going to need a procedure in the near future to fix the issue and alleviate the pain or discomfort.

So just like everyone does these days, you go to the internet to look for someone who is highly-trained, specialized, and seems to be loved by their current patients.

However, it’s confusing.

What are you really looking for? How do you differentiate dentists from oral surgeons, and to that point, one oral surgeon from another?

In this article, we’re going to share with you a little bit about our philosophy and why we believe you should choose Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta for wisdom teeth extractions, dental implants, and other procedures that we perform on a daily basis.

If you are in the Atlanta area or really anywhere in the Southeastern United States, and are looking for an oral surgeon, we encourage you to read our reviews, watch some of our video testimonials from patients, and read the article below to get a better understanding of what separates us from other practices.

1. EXCELLENT CHAIRSIDE MANNER (READ OUR REVIEWS)

We understand that, even though oral surgery is part of our daily routine, that isn’t the case for you or your children.

We know it can be scary; the words surgery, procedure, treatment...they can all be scary and intimidating.

We also understand that this may be your very first surgery and we don’t take that lightly.

You can call it an attitude of compassion or empathy, but we always “put ourselves in your shoes” to better understand how you’re feeling. We look for ways to ensure your experience is a positive one.

Sure, no one wakes up and wants to go to the oral surgeon, but we do our very best to ensure your experience is calm, comfortable, and relaxed once you are here.

That being said, we can say all we want about the quality of our practice and how much patients love our top rated oral surgeons, but the proof is in the reviews and testimonials. Without those our words don’t mean much.

Here are what a few patients have to say about our chairside manner and overall experience at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta:

Haley Matell

I chose this practice based on their overall 5 rating and they did not disappoint. Dr. Aiken extracted my son's 4 wisdom teeth on 9/18. My son opted for a combination of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), Local Anesthesia, and the new medication administered during the procedure to minimize post-operative pain (can't recall the name, but it was worth the extra cost). He stated that Dr. Aiken was very kind and reassuring during the surgery. Not once did my son complain of post surgery pain. His surgery was on a Tuesday and by Friday he was back at work. The entire office staff was great! Dr. Aiken called personally to follow up and check on my son. They are the best and very worthy of t heir high rating.

Patricia Lobo

I came to this office after going through a difficult experience at another office out of the country. The oral surgeon that removed my wisdom tooth left pieces tooth and I couldn't stand the pain. I had to do my surgery again to remove the residue. Dr Shessel was amazing. I had a great experience with all the staff. They are very professional and caring.

Nicole Lee

Called Friday morning and had an appointment later that morning. Dr. Aiken is AWESOME! The staff is so amazing. If you ever need dental work this is the place to go. I wish I was able to give 10 stars. Office manager Cindy and Dr. Aiken both called me over the weekend to check up on me and make sure I was healing good. BEST people ever!!!

Alyse Williams

Out of all the oral surgery practices in Atlanta, I chose Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta because of their 5star rating and personal reviews and they did not disappoint. Dr. Shessel and his staff were extremely professional and helpful during the whole process. Although I was extremely anxious about removing all 4 of my wisdom teeth, Dr. Shessel and his staff made sure to calm my fears and answer any questions I had. I would highly encourage anyone looking for the best oral surgeon to visit Dr. Shessel and his team!

Sarah Novak

Quick and painless wisdom tooth removal with proper follow up care. I felt comfortable here, even with ‘white coat syndrome’ . My Wisdom tooth socket is almost healed and I have not experience any complications. Up to date medical equipment and friendly staff made my time at this facility a 10+. * This location accepts care credit as a form of payment.

Carolyn Scales

One of the best oral surgeon I have ever been to. This place was recommended to me by my dentist. They were very gentle with me and took very good care of me. I only went for a consultation but my Doctor had time to take care of my needs all in the same day. The dental assistant never left my side. I had an awesome and amazing appointment. May God Bless.

You can read more patient reviews on Google here, or visit the link below to see what patients (as well as referring dentists) have to say about our practice:

2. WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO BE A SERVICE-DRIVEN, PATIENT-FIRST PRACTICE

Nothing is more important at our practice than our patients...period. Not our team, not the doctors, no one.

Surgery should not be an impersonal experience, making you feel that you’re just a number. Sure that methodology can be efficient at times, but it’s just not how we do things.

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, you or your child, spouse, etc. are more than just a number; you’re a real human being who has questions and concerns. We want to make sure you understand everything and are comfortable.

While we do many “service-related” things for our patients, here are a few:

• The Ritz-Carlton experience. No one wants to have oral surgery, but if it’s necessary, we think you might as well get treated like royalty.

• You’ll see the same doctor throughout your procedure. Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel both have a vast amount of experience with extractions, placing implants, and with many other procedures, and are both board certified and qualified to do any procedure you need. That being said, we understand that patients will develop rapport with a particular doctor, so we ensure you see one doctor from the time of your first consult all the way through your post-op appointment.

• We will call you to see how you’re doing. This isn’t just a profession. We have a vested interest in a successful outcome for every patient. We genuinely care for each person who comes through our doors. You’ll get a personal call from us a few days after your surgery to check on you.

If you choose Dr. Aiken or Dr. Shessel for your oral and facial surgery needs, you’ll be in great hands before, during, and after your procedure.

3. THERE ARE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US AND YOUR GENERAL DENTIST

General (family) dentists are great. In fact, they are the backbone of the dental field and are the first line of defense (other than routine brushing and flossing) toward preventing a variety of dental issues and improving your overall oral health and wellness.

The relationship between a general dentist and an oral surgeon is similar to the relationship between a family physician and a surgeon. It’s not that one is “better” than the other, they simply serve two different roles in the care and treatment process.

As oral surgeons, Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel have advanced training above and beyond a DMD, and are Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Not only did they complete several more years of school after getting their DMDs, they also completed a 350-question written exam and an oral exam to become board certified.

We feel it’s important that oral surgery is completed by a board certified oral surgeon. That may sound like common sense, but many people have oral surgery procedures completed by a general dentist.

Again, it’s not that a general dentist can’t perform the procedure, it’s that they typically do not do them day in and day out as part of their daily routine like an oral surgeon does.

It’s really simple, the more you work at your craft, the more proficient you become. At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel have extracted 40,000+ teeth and performed countless oral surgery procedures.

4. WE’RE EXTREMELY EFFICIENT AND WE UNDERSTAND YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE

While everyone on the team at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta are very accommodating with their time in answering any questions or concerns you may have, we are also efficient.

We know you don’t want to wait long or have a surgery that lasts longer than it should. Being that oral surgery is all we do at our office, we’ve gotten our procedures, processes, and systems down to a science.

You’ll receive the personalized, one-on-one care you need, but we won’t take up any more of your time than needed to get the job done. In fact, after surgery, many patients or their family members have remarked, “Wow, that was fast!”

We never, ever rush (we are meticulous and take our time). It’s just that when you’re experienced in something and have done it thousands of times like we have, it doesn’t take as long.

5. YOU GET ONE-ON-ONE, INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION DURING YOUR CONSULT

When you or someone you love are about to have oral surgery, we don’t think a quick “in the door, out the door” consult is the best way to do things.

As part of the “Ritz Carlton” experience you’ll receive when visiting our practice, we do one-on-one consultations with the doctor who will perform your surgery.

You’ll be given the opportunity to ask your surgeon (not a staff member) any questions you have. To be honest, we hope you have questions because we enjoy helping patients better understand their options!

Your consultation will generally last around half an hour, so you’ll get plenty of time with Dr. Aiken or Dr. Shessel without feeling hurried, pressured, or rushed into anything. It’s part of the unique patient experience we provide at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta.

6. WE’RE LICENSED TO OFFER A VARIETY OF SEDATION OPTIONS

Do you know that you need a special license to administer certain types of sedation?

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, we obtained all required licensing to administer oral, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation for dental procedures.

When appropriate, we like to give our patients options. We are happy to discuss the benefits of each and to make recommendations for what we feel is best for you or your family member.

When you talk with Dr. Aiken or Dr. Shessel about your sedation, you’ll get their opinion, but know that you have a say, as well. We want to ensure you are sedated as needed, but also want you to feel comfortable with the sedation method.

7. WE KNOW WHAT TO DO DURING DIFFICULT SURGERIES

Experience matters. While we do everything in our power to eliminate any unforeseen circumstances before surgery (and are successful with almost every patient), oral surgery is surgery and something unforeseen could happen during your procedure.

If this were to occur with yourself, your child, or your spouse, wouldn’t you want an experienced surgeon in the room who can deal with the situation in a calm, methodical manner?

You certainly don’t want someone who just does an oral surgery “here and there.” You want someone who can think with a level head and has the experience, knowledge, and clarity to find a solution and fix whatever issues arise.

For example, let’s say that a tooth fractures during an extraction procedure. This is sometimes hard to predict during a consultation, but is actually somewhat common during surgery.

When this occurs you want to have an experienced oral surgeon taking care of you. It’s quite common for Dr's Aiken and Shessel to be called upon by non-oral surgeons who couldn't complete a procedure due to this routine complication.

Choosing an oral surgeon from the onset can save both the patient and his/her dentist a lot of time and headache, plus give you peace of mind knowing you are having your extraction performed by someone who does this day in and day out.

8. WE HAVE A CT SCANNER ON SITE FOR MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Traditional panoramic x-rays alone are often inadequate when planning a successful oral surgery. In fact, traditional x-rays can miss nerves and sinuses that are too close to the surgical area.

We have an on-site 3D CT scanner to quickly and easily get the imaging we need for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Getting a CT scan versus an x-ray is a lot like seeing the entire iceberg versus just the tip sticking out of the water. We need to see everything in and around the surgical area to avoid any unforeseen issues.

If we see anything that could be a problem, we’ll communicate that with you before your surgery, as well as give you your options and our recommendations. Our goal is to arm ourselves with as much information as possible so that we can communicate clearly with you and provide the best treatment possible.

9. WE CAN LIMIT YOUR NEED FOR POTENTIALLY HABIT-FORMING NARCOTICS AFTER SURGERY

There is no doubt that prescription drug addiction is a serious concern in the United States. It is estimated that more than 15 million Americans abuse prescription drugs and 2,500 youths age 12-17 abuse a prescription drug for the first time according to this Foundation for a Drug Free World article.

It’s an epidemic and something we take very seriously when prescribing pain medications after oral surgery.

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, we want to provide you with the pain relief you need. We do so in a responsible way. This is why we are administering Exparel® injections to many patients after their oral surgery.

Exparel is a single dose, non-opioid injection that can reduce the need for pain medications following your surgery. We’ve administered it successfully to many patients with satisfying results. If you would like to learn more about Exparel, visit their website below:

https://www.exparel.com

10. WE WERE VOTED “BEST ORAL SURGEON” BY ATLANTA MAGAZINE 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

From 2018-2022 we have been voted “best oral surgeon” in the Atlanta area… an award we’re very proud of!

“Since 1961, Atlanta magazine, the city’s premier general interest publication, has served as the authority on Atlanta, providing its readers with a mix of long-form nonfiction, lively lifestyle coverage, in-depth service journalism, and literary essays, columns, and profiles.” (source)

We are happy to have been voted as the best oral surgery in Atlanta 5 years in a row.

11. 40,000+ TOOTH EXTRACTION PROCEDURES (AND COUNTING)...

You don’t want to walk into a dental or oral surgery office not knowing how experienced your surgeon really is.

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel are both scientists and artists when it comes to tooth extractions, placing dental implants, and any other form of oral surgery.

With thousands of teeth extracted and countless procedures under their belts, you can feel confident knowing that when you choose us for your oral surgery, you’re selecting a surgeon who has the experience to get the job done right the first time.

SO HERE’S YOUR NEXT STEP…

Choosing an oral surgeon isn’t an easy thing to do, but we hope this article has helped you to understand our practice on a deeper level.

As one of the leading oral surgery practices in the greater Atlanta area, we understand that we are taking your oral health into our hands, and as such, we treat every patient (and their family) with dignity, respect, compassion, and professionalism.

If you’re a parent reading this, we especially want to let you know that we will treat your child like our very own children, nieces, or nephews when they are under our care.

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta, Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel are committed to providing the impeccable care and treatment you would expect from a big city practice, while at the same time providing the level of hospitality and personalized follow-up care you would expect from small town, family-friendly doctors.

If you would like to learn more about our practice or if you’re ready to schedule your appointment, please contact us here or call our office today. We look forward to meeting you and your family, and we look forward to providing you with everything you need for a stress-free, hassle-free oral surgery experience.

If you haven’t already, please make sure to check out our reviews and testimonials to see what other patients are saying about their experience with Dr. Aiken and Dr. Shessel at Oral Surgery Specialists of Atlanta.