Is it painful to get wisdom teeth pulled with only nitrous and novocaine and no iv sedation?

No.: I routinely use only local anesthetic. The reasons for using IV sedation are anxiety/pain control, administration of steroids to control swelling and, possibly, for access to a vein for administration of emergency drugs if the patient has health complications. Nitrous controls anxiety and offers some pain control. The real control of pain and anxiety is informed consent and local anesthesia.

Extraction: With good block local anesthesia you will feel no pain during the extraction, but unfortunately you will remember the experience. Under general anesthesia you will have no memory of the extractions. You will have some pain with both after the numbing goes away. Don't let that stop you. You are in good hands.