Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure, often necessary when third molars cause issues like pain, crowding, or infection. Anesthesia ensures comfort and pain management during this process. The type of anesthesia used impacts the patient’s experience and immediate recovery. Understanding the duration of anesthetic effects is important.
Anesthesia Types and Their Duration
The duration of anesthesia depends on the specific type administered for wisdom tooth removal. Local anesthesia numbs a small area and is commonly used. Lidocaine typically provides numbness for 1 to 4 hours, with soft tissue effects lasting 3 to 5 hours. A longer-acting local anesthetic, Bupivacaine, can keep the area numb for 6 to 8 hours, and up to 12 hours for soft tissue numbness.
Sedation, such as intravenous (IV) sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), helps patients feel drowsy during the procedure. Nitrous oxide effects wear off quickly, often within minutes. IV sedation induces a state of reduced awareness, and patients may have little to no memory of the procedure. The effects from IV sedation can last for several hours, with full effects wearing off after about 12 to 24 hours. Local anesthesia is typically administered with sedation to manage pain during the extraction.
General anesthesia involves being completely unconscious during the procedure. The grogginess and disorientation from general anesthesia can last for several hours, and it may take a full day for these effects to completely subside. Patients might feel sleepy or confused for 45 minutes to an hour after the anesthesia begins to wear off.
Factors Influencing Anesthesia Duration
The duration of anesthetic effects can vary among individuals due to several factors. A person’s metabolic rate influences how quickly anesthetic drugs are processed and eliminated. Faster metabolisms lead to shorter numbness, while slower metabolisms result in prolonged effects.
The specific anesthetic agent chosen and the administered dose affect how long the effects will last. For instance, adding a vasoconstrictor like epinephrine to local anesthetics can extend their numbing effect by minimizing systemic absorption.
The complexity of the wisdom tooth extraction procedure can influence the amount of anesthetic required. The vascularity of the injection site also impacts how long the anesthetic persists, as highly vascular areas clear the drug more rapidly. A patient’s overall health, including liver and kidney function, affects how the body processes and eliminates these medications.
What to Expect as Anesthesia Wears Off
As anesthetic effects diminish, patients will experience a return of sensation to the numb areas. This often begins with a tingling or “pins and needles” feeling. For local anesthesia, pain will typically follow the fading numbness.
Patients who received sedation or general anesthesia will likely continue to experience disorientation as these deeper anesthetic effects wear off. Nausea is a common side effect, especially after general anesthesia or IV sedation, and can be caused by anesthetic drugs, pain medications, or swallowed blood. This nausea typically resolves within 4 to 6 hours.
Swelling around the extraction sites may become more noticeable as the numbness recedes. Temporary difficulties with speech or swallowing can occur due to residual numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks. Patients might also experience stiffness in the jaw muscles, which can make opening the mouth difficult for a few days.
Managing the Post-Anesthesia Period
Taking prescribed pain medication as directed, often before the numbness fully subsides, can help manage pain. Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also be recommended. Applying ice packs to the face during the first 24 to 48 hours can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Eating and drinking require caution until full sensation returns to prevent accidental biting of the cheek or tongue. It is advised to stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and pureed soups immediately after surgery. Hydration is important, but drinking through a straw should be avoided for several days, as suction can dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site, potentially leading to a dry socket.
Rest is important, and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 24 hours, or even 3 to 10 days depending on the procedure’s complexity and location of the extracted teeth. Elevating the head with pillows while resting can help minimize swelling. Patients should monitor for signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding, severe pain that doesn’t improve, fever, or prolonged numbness lasting beyond 24 hours, and contact their dentist if these occur.