Pain and discomfort can cause debilitating effects. Dental procedures can be accompanied by pain that can be greatly overcome with the use of anesthesia. There are several types of anesthesia, but the most commonly used one is local anesthetic.
The dental clinic Houston, TX provides dental procedures using local anesthetic to numb the treated area, easing pain and discomfort. Read on to learn more about local anesthesia.
What is local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia is a specially formulated solution introduced into a specific area of your body. It is administered through injections where the solution numbs that part, not the entire body. You still have sensation and consciousness after administering the anesthetic solution
How does local anesthesia work?
A local anesthetic stops the nerve functioning in the injected part of your body sending signals to your brain. You won’t feel any pain after having a local anesthetic, although you may still feel more pressure or movement.
It normally takes only a few minutes to lose feeling in the area where a local anesthetic is administered. You may regain full sensation in that specific part after a few hours.
How are local anesthetics used?
Local anesthetics are used in dentistry in two different forms:
- Block injections
- Infiltration injections
What are the benefits of local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia relieves pain without the risks and preparation methods involved in providing general anesthesia. It provides the following advantages:
- You do not lose consciousness
- Only the specific part is numbed
- You do not require a qualified anesthesiologist
- There are minimal and mild side effects involved
- You can go home sooner
- It is cost effective
How long does local anesthesia last?
Most often, the effects of local anesthesia wear off quickly. Dentists usually use lidocaine which wears off in about an hour. Your doctor may combine a local anesthetic with other drugs like steroids, or epinephrine (adrenaline). This prolongs the anesthesia.
It is important to take care of the numbed part carefully. After dental treatment, for example, your mouth will be numb, and you might burn yourself by drinking hot coffee. When a local anesthetic is needed to work longer, your doctor will use slow-release forms of the drugs or apply continuous infusion of the local anesthetic drugs.
Final note
Local anesthesia is a relatively safe method to numb any area before routine dental routines like root canals or tooth extractions. It may ease pain and discomfort but you may feel some amount of pressure. With minimal and mild side effects involved, local anesthesia can help you and your dentist perform procedures with utmost care and precision.