Re: Healing after wisdom teeth extraction

Thanks a lot. He had the surgery this morning and is feeling ok, though in some pain.

I was wondering about something else... Is it fairly common for wisdom teeth extractions to be done under general anesthesia (i.e., the patient is unconscious)? I grew up in Europe and when I had my bottom wisdom teeth extracted they only used local anesthesia, even though the teeth were impacted and it took the two dentists almost an hour and a half to extract them properly (it was pretty nasty, as I understand).

So I was very surprised when my boyfriend told me that they injected an IV anesthetic, which put him to sleep. It's true that he had to have all four wisdom teeth out whereas I only had surgery for two of them, but still, it seems to me that general anesthesia should only be used in major surgery, since the stronger the anesthetic the greater the risks.
I am curious to hear your opinion on this.

And another question, is it common for U.S. dentists to use laser therapy on the site of the extraction after surgery to speed up healing? They used that on me after my extractions in Europe, and I have to admit that I healed very fast and was not swollen at all. Thus I was surprised to hear that it is common to experience swelling after wisdom teeth extractions...

Thanks.