Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/1/2007

Question
I am 24 and need to get my wisdom teeth removed. The bottom two are bony impacted, one top one is half way out and the other is a soft tissue extraction. The Oral Surgeon wants to remove them under 'general anesthesia' where I will be unconscious. Is that normal? and does this mean I will have a machine breathing for me? If you cant tell im really scared as I have never been 'put under' Thanks
Jennifer

Answer
It is not abnormal to have this done uner general anesthesia. Just make sure that the oral surgeon is qualified to give general or that he has an anesthesiologist performing the anesthesia. General anesthesia can be done with or without a breathing machine (depending on the procedure). In either case, there is nothing to worry about. We do this all the time. If you are otherwise healthy, the risks from general anesthesia are close to negligible.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston