Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure

The extraction process of an impacted tooth may include the following medications. It is necessary that a person is aware before getting his teeth extracted.

Numbing the tooth with a local anesthetic

Prior to the process of extraction of an impacted tooth, the surrounding tissues must be numbed. A local anesthetic like novocaine or lidocaine (mostly used) is employed in numbing the tooth and the tissues. This is administered through an injection (or a shot). This numbing procedure is similar to the one done before placing fillings. Since it is a common misconception that injections hurt, it leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Do not come to such conclusions. Feel free to inquire your dentist any doubt you get. This helps in comforting yourself while the anesthetic is injected. The dentist will rub a skin numbing gel on the gums before injecting.

Sedating patients before the removal of impacted teeth

Some people may get anxious about the removal process. In such a condition, the surgeon and the patient may come to an agreement like consumption of additional medication to control the anxiety. The following are some sedatives which are administered for the patient’s comfort and not pain. But in addition to these, the dentist must follow the same procedure of numbing the teeth so that the patient does not feel any pain.


1. Nitrous oxide

This is often called as laughing gas. It has a calming effect on the patient. As the patient breathes, the effect of the gas occurs quickly and the patient calms down. The effect disappears soon after the patient stops breathing the gas. There is a procedure to be followed in utilizing these sedatives and the dentists must spare his time to brief the procedure to the patient. Nitrous oxide is a good sedative that the patient can himself drive home after the extraction process.

2. Oral sedatives

The term oral refers that the medication is administered through your mouth by means of a pill or some liquid. Valium is the most commonly used oral sedative for controlling the patient’s anxiety. Similar to the utilization of nitrous oxide, there is a specific procedure to be followed in this case also. Mostly, the patient is advised to take the drug one hour prior to the dental appointment. But they do have a drowsy effect on the patient and affects his capabilities and behavior. So the patient must get the help of someone to escort him to the doctor and then back home owing to the effect of the oral sedative.

3. Intravenous sedatives

These are medications employed by means of an injection into the vein. This type of sedative can help in achieving a deeper and controlled level of sedation as compared to the other two. Oral surgeons and not dentists are specialized in administering this sedative and monitoring the equipment. These seem to have an amnesic effect, i.e., the patient will have no memory of the procedure. There are specific instructions to be followed like not eating or drinking for a few hours before the administration of the sedative.