Anesthesia is administered prior to a procedure to help dull pain or sedate a nervous or anxious patient. The most common form is local anesthesia, meaning that it dulls pain in all or part of the mouth during dental work, and does not cause the patient to go to sleep. It usually wears off two to three hours after the procedure.
Some children or people with disabilities or severe anxiety may require conscious sedation. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is often used, as are oral sedatives and oral injections. On occasion, patients undergo general anesthesia, in which drugs cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Deep sedation and general anesthesia may be recommended in certain procedures, such as wisdom teeth extraction, or for children or adults who have severe anxiety or difficulty controlling their movements. If you need local anesthesia, your dentist will dry part of your mouth, then swab the area with a gel to numb the skin. Next, your dentist will slowly inject the local anesthetic into the gum tissue. Most people don't feel the needle. Instead, the sting they feel is caused by the anesthetic moving into the tissue. An injection of local anesthesia can last up to several hours. After you leave the dentist's office, you may find it difficult to speak clearly and eat or drink. Be careful not to bite down on the area that is numbed. You could cause damage to yourself without realizing it. Side effects from local anesthetics are very rare. Some possible side effects include:
A hematoma (a blood-filled swelling), which can form when the injection needle hits a blood vessel.
Numbness outside of the localized area. If this happens, your eyelid or mouth can droop. You will recover when the drug wears off.
An increased heart rate. This lasts only a minute or two. Tell your doctor if this has ever happened to you.
An injured nerve caused by the needle used to inject the anesthesia. This can lead to numbness and pain for several weeks or months, but the nerve usually heals over time.
It is rare to have an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic. Be sure to tell your dentist about all of the medication you take, including over-the-counter drugs and any herbs or vitamins you take. You should tell your dentist about any reactions you have had with medicines, no matter how minor the reaction was.
During the first trimester (three months) of pregnancy, it is best to avoid major dental treatment. After that time point, discuss your anesthesia options with your dentist and your obstetrician or midwife. In general, most dentists say it's best to have dental treatment before pregnancy or postpone treatment that's not essential.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Brian Y. Kuo DDS FAGD
(626) 800-8022