Hi sandy,
I am going to re post your questions and answer them in bold type.
But first let me just clarify that the silver points you speak of are actually metal posts inside of the large root in each tooth and the reason these teeth are sensitive is because the posts create a lot of unnatural pressure inside of the tooth which irritates the nerves surrounding each tooth. So the pain that you feel is actually coming from the branches of nerves, not the tooth itself. Although it sure feels like it is!
<<My question is: when they extract a tooth that's been root canaled, will the silver points come right out with the tooth?>>
VERY SIMPLY, THE POSTS ARE INSIDE OF THE ROOT OF EACH TOOTH. THEY ARE ACTUALLY CEMENTED TO THE INSIDE OF THE ROOT AS WELL AS THE CROWN. GENERALLY THE CEMENT INSIDE OF THE TOOTH HAS GIVEN WAY LONG BEFORE 3O YEARS AS IT ONLY HAS A SHELF LIFE OF ABOUT 10+ YEARS. SO CHANCES ARE THE POSTS WILL COME OUT WHEN HE REMOVES THE CROWNS.
<< I am asking this because I am scared that it'll take a long time and I'll freak out.>>
THE POSTS ARE NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. WHAT CAN TAKE A LITTLE TIME IS REMOVING THE ROOTS AS THEY ARE GOING TO BE BRITTLE AND THE SURROUNDING BONE IS NOT GOING TO BE HEALTHY. IF YOU DECIDE TO REMOVE THEM, I STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU SEE AN ORAL SURGEON FOR THE REMOVAL AS HE WILL BE MUCH MORE EXPERIENCED, CONFIDENT AND WELL EQUIPPED TO REMOVE THESE TEETH MUCH MORE SO THAN A GENERAL DENTIST.
<< Is the local anesthesia enough or should I get IV sedation?>>
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH A LITTLE IV SEDATION THEN THAT WOULD BE FINE. THE EXTRACTIONS MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THOSE TEETH HAVE BEEN ROOT CANALED FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY ARE IN A FRAGILE STATE. IF YOU HAVE THE IV SEDATION THEN THE DENTIST CAN WORK QUICKER AS HE WILL NOT HAVE TO CONTEND WITH YOU TRYING TO KEEP STILL OR KEEP YOUR MOUTH OPEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO WHEN YOU TAKE THE IV, THE TIME WILL HAVE SEEMED TO PASS VERY QUICKLY WHEN YOU WAKE UP
<<Will I feel any pain with just local anesthesia injection?>>
MOST LIKELY YOU WOULD FEEL A LOT OF PRESSURE AND IT COULD BE A BIT NOISY IN YOUR HEAD. THE DENTIST MAY HAVE TO DRILL A BIT TO GET THE TEETH TO RELEASE FROM THE JAW BONE. IT REALLY ALL DEPENDS ON HOW WELL THEY ARE STILL ANCHORED IN THE BONE.
<<Do I have to get a shot in the palate for this area of extraction?>>
YES, MOST LIKELY YOU WILL. BUT IF YOU ARE SNOOZING... THOSE SHOTS WILL NOT BOTHER YOU.
<< Also, the two teeth are covered with one crown (bridge crown piece) so how would they remove 2 at once? The 2 teeth are #3 and 4. My wisdom tooth is gone and #2 was extracted years ago.>>
THE BRIDGE WOULD BE REMOVED IN IT'S ENTIRETY. CHANCES ARE THOSE POSTS WE TALKED ABOUT WILL COME OUT WHEN THE BRIDGE IS REMOVED. THE BRIDGE WILL EITHER BE DRILLED OFF, TAPPED OFF, OR PULLED OFF. IT DEPENDS ON HOW LOOSE IT IS TO BEGIN WITH. BUT AGAIN, IF YOU ARE SNOOZING, YOU WON'T CARE HOW THEY GET IT OFF.
I want to emphasize to you the importance of seeing an oral surgeon for the removal of those teeth. In doing so, you are less likely to have post operative complications.
I hope I have answered your questions and taken at least a little bit of the fear and unknown out of this for you.
Bryanna