The oral surgeon had to prescribe anti-biotics and follow up with a "debridement", reopening the site, draining and flushing it. No fun at all. Also not something that's normally done at a dentist's office.
No way would I have done lower wisdom tooth removal without total-knockout anesthesia (Propofol). For me it's as much about the sensory input, sounds, and visuals of the hardware tools used. With the Propofol, it was a painless "30-minute time-travel" experience but I still felt exhausted for a couple days after the procedure. It's like my body knew what it went through even though I have no memory of it. Apparently this is a common feeling.
The upper wisdom teeth come out easier and heal faster. I had those out with just local anesthetic injections, nitrous oxide, tightly shut eyes, and headphones blasting music.
The worst part of the entire procedure was that they wouldn't call my prescriptions into the pharmacy in advance, so I could just go home and not run errands after the procedure. I guess people will schedule fake wisdom teeth removal so they can get a 3 day supply of Tylenol with codeine? I remember being very annoyed waiting around for a half hour in some grocery store with my mouth full of gauze and the pain setting in. Would have preferred to be at home in bed. Sigh! At least I don't have any more wisdom teeth.
Perhaps in the US where they drug you down? Here the dentist just gives you a local anesthetic and pry them out, unless there is something extraordinary. Or perhaps it's a different person? But still the same company getting the money.
It was honestly an awful experience. Trying to pry that thing out while I couldn't feel a thing, but I felt incredibly drained afterward. Not sure if it was from adrenaline/anxiety or if you still respond to the trauma despite no immediate pain or sensation.
Then I had the pleasure of little shards and chips working their way out as I healed over the next several months. It really did take a good 3-4 months before I felt remotely healed back there.
Oral surgeons in the US are usually found in larger hospitals; most dentists are just dentists.
Bit of a meaningless distinction if they're in the same office.
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ethics/fee-splittin...