I need to have my wisdom teeth removed but really want to use dental sedation to have it done. The problem which is causing me some mild terror about that is I have recently been sexually assaulted by someone drugging me. I couldn’t do anything about it. I was essentially paralyzed. I’m terrified dental sedation is going to feel the same way and I’ll have a panic attack. I’d also prefer to have my mom with me just as an extra precaution.
Chloe
Dear Cloe,
First, let me express how sorry I am that this happened to you. It’s horrific the things we humans do to one another sometimes. I want to assure you that dental sedation isn’t anything like the drug you were assaulted with. Instead of paralyzing you, it just makes you very relaxed and sleepy. However, you are still able to communicate and move.
While some sedation dentists may balk at having anyone additional in the operatory, I’m sure if you explained your situation they’d allow your mother to be in there with you.
With this sedation, you’ll need your mother to drive you to and from your appointment anyway, so she might as well stay in there with you. If the dentist has a problem with this, that will be the time to find another dentist. Anyone with an ounce of empathy would understand your feelings.
The Ideal Time for Wisdom Teeth Extractions
When you have impacted wisdom teeth, it’s safest to remove them in your late teens to early twenties. When you wait, the bone gets more calcified making it harder to remove. This also increases the risk of complications.
A second danger is for the impacted wisdom teeth to end up infected. This is considered a dental emergency and will need to be taken care of right away.
That will give you less control over who treats you and the circumstances in which the procedure is done. It will be much better for you both physically and emotionally to be proactive and get this taken care of as soon as possible.
This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.