Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/20/2009

Question
I am getting three impacted, fully under the bone (or boney?) wisdom teeth extracted in two weeks. However, I have received conflicting information from the dental office as to what is going to happen to me. I was told that I would be given IV sedation, but upon doing some research it appears that it is not the same thing as general anesthesia. However, they told me that it is the same thing, and that I am going to be under during the procedure, and that I won't feel any pain. The thing is, they also said that the oral surgeon at the dentist's office that I am going to (the same where I get my cleanings done) only does IV sedation on the day I am going. I asked if there was going to be an anesthesiologist there and they said yes. So, my question is how exactly can these two things be the same? Am I confused or are they? I assume they know what they are doing, but will I be intubated and monitored or not? I just want to make sure there isn't going to be a danger to me, and that I won't be in pain. If you can, please clarify what will be happening to me that day.

Answer
It may be that the oral surgeon only works on that day but it is also the day that the anesthesiologist works (knowing that the oral surgeon is working). I would call the dentist and ask this question specifically. As for your other question, it seems to me that you will be getting conscious sedation which means that you will get Versed and probably Fentanyl (or maybe Propofol). You will not be intubated but you will be monitored. You will not feel pain, but even if you do, you will not remember it. I speak from experience as I have had this procedure and even though the oral surgeon told me I was squirming in pain, I remember none of it.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston