It is that moment when the dentist skillfully pokes a needle into the gums or cheeks and administers medicine through a syringe. Did you know that you will rarely feel the needle going into your gums? The stinging sensation that arises when receiving local anesthetic is when the anesthetic moves from the syringe into the gum tissue. The pressure of the liquid going into the tissue is what causes the slight discomfort. Within a few minutes a particular spot or an area in the mouth is numb.
It is a miraculous technology really — that we can isolate areas of the human body to not tighten up, react and sense pain. This numbing is great while dental work is being performed but what happens when the appointment is over? The effects of local anesthesia typically wear off within 30 to 60 minutes though they can last up to several hours. Lidocaine is the standard local anesthetic that is currently used in dentistry. It works by blocking nerve impulses that send pain signals to the brain.
Lidocaine starts working within 90 seconds and will last at the very least 20 minutes. Its elimination half-life is estimated to be about 90 — minutes in most patients. It may be difficult to eat or speak. Some drugs help you relax, while others place you in a deep sleep state until the procedure is complete. Your dentist can discuss the best option with you concerning your procedure and comfort level.
Some factors to consider will be your anxiety level, a history of allergies, and what type of procedure you need.
The risks associated with dental anesthesia are extremely low. Dentists commonly recommend one of two types of anesthesia for specific dental procedures. These are local and general anesthetic. While those few extra pokes may seem annoying, it is all done with your best interest comfort in mind. Most local anesthetics are mixed with adrenaline or epinephrine. These substances make the anesthetic last longer and help keep you out of pain.
However, it can also make your heart race. This is usually prevented by not injecting the anesthetic into a blood vessel.
But even with a careful dentist, it can still sometimes happen. If this happens to you, rest assured your racing heart will subdue after a minute or so. If you have heart problems, your dentist may use a local anesthetic that does not contain epinephrine. An anesthetic that does not carry epinephrine may require multiple injections because it does not last very long. The feeling of having your mouth numb is often described as asleep, full, or tingling. Depending on the treatment area, you may also feel numbness in your tongue, chin, cheeks, the roof of your mouth, nose, and just below your eye.
The length of time a local anesthetic takes to wear off will vary based on which type was used. Generally speaking, your treated tooth will be numb for hours, and your lips and tongue will be numb for hours from the time of injection. The numb feeling goes away as the blood flow carries it away from the injection site to be broken down or metabolized.
You may also ask your dentist to use OraVerse after your treatment. Sometimes, light sedation is added to local anesthetics to help relax a person. Sedation has several levels and is used to relax a person who may have anxiety, help with pain, or keep them still for the procedure. It can also cause procedure amnesia. You might be fully conscious and able to respond to commands, semiconscious, or barely conscious.
Sedation is categorized as mild, moderate, or deep. Deep sedation can also be called monitored anesthesia care or MAC. The medication might be given orally tablet or liquid , inhaled, intramuscularly IM , or intravenously IV.
There are more risks with IV sedation. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing must be carefully monitored in moderate or deep sedation. General anesthesia is used for longer procedures, or if you have a lot of anxiety that might interfere with your treatment.
The medication is given through a face mask or IV. The level of anesthesia depends on the procedure and the individual patient. There are different risks with general anesthesia. Side effects of dental anesthesia depend on the type of anesthetic used. General anesthesia has more risks involved with its use than local anesthesia or sedation.
Reactions also vary based on individual factors. Vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine added to anesthetics can also cause heart and blood pressure problems. These are some reported side effects of anesthetics.
Ask your dental care team about your specific medication and any concerns you may have about the medication. There are conditions and situations in which you and your doctor or dentist will discuss if dental anesthesia is the best choice for you.
Treatment consent is an important part of the pretreatment discussion. Ask questions about risks and safety precautions that will be taken to ensure a positive outcome.
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