I know how you feel. I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed at once about 5 years ago. I was terrified. But really, its nothing. I had it done in the oral surgeon's office. It not a general anesthsia they give you in the IV. That's just some sort of medication to relax you. It puts you into a kind of twilight sleep. They inject a local anesthesia into the gums. I know that sounds horrible, but you don't even feel it. They numb the gums first with a cream. I remember something of the procedure, just them talking, nothing painful. It was all over in twenty minutes. However, the pain hits you about 4-6 hours afterwards. Do make sure you fill the perscription for pain medication on your way home. Better still, if there's time, get your dentist to call in the pain medicine before the procedure (some won't do this) so you don't have to fool around getting it filled afterwards. My dentist told me many patients feel so good after the procedure (no pain, just a little light headed) that they don't think they'll need the pain medicine and don't bother to fill it until it starts hurting. By then it can really build up before you can get the medicine. Also, if you try to fill a narcotic at a drugstore where they don't know you, they oftentimes call the dr's office to make sure the prescription isn't a fake. Well, if its after hours, they might not fill it until the next morning. I've had this happen. My dentist told me to take two Vicodin as soon as I got home, regardless of whether it was hurting or not. That way the pain wouldn't hit me all at once when the local wore off. However, please don't worry--its really not that painful. The pain is usually gone in one-two days. I'll say a prayer for your son, it can't hurt!
Hope everything goes well. PD being sent your way.
