Local Anesthesia Dentistry Offers Comfort and Convenience
A number of factors can lead to the need for dental treatment, from tooth decay to periodontal disease and extraction of wisdom teeth. Most concerning to patients requiring dental procedures is often the anticipated pain or discomfort frequently associated with such treatment. For many years now, dental professionals have been using local anesthesia dentistry services to provide comfort to patients during treatment. Local anesthetic solutions can be administered in any area of the mouth, and are formulated to address varying needs of individuals and preferences of dental professionals.
The Process of Administering Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia dentistry services are generally delivered by administering the solutions into gum tissues or the inner cheek. The location of the treatment site dictates precisely where the anesthetic will be placed. The goal of local anesthesia dentistry is to numb the nerves servicing the area of treatment, an action which blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The mouth and face contain several major nerves and smaller nerve endings that convey the sensation of pain or discomfort when stimulated, such as in the case of treating the damage caused by oral disease. Dentists and dental hygienists licensed and certified to provide local anesthesia dentistry receive extensive education in anatomical structures and their placement within the head and mouth areas, and training in administering anesthetic solutions to these locations.
Prior to administering local anesthetic, the dental professional will place a topical agent that numbs the surface tissue of the gums or cheek, providing comfort and reducing the sensation of the anesthetic injection. The effects of the topical gel or solution begin to occur immediately, with greater depth of comfort achieved one to two minutes after placement. Depending on the location of the treatment site, the dental professional will determine the most appropriate facial nerve to anesthetize and inject the numbing solution beneath the soft tissue surface corresponding to the nerve’s position.
Local anesthetics come in a variety of solutions designed to deliver different levels of numbness and anesthetic properties within the mouth. For instance, epinephrine is added to many anesthetics, which helps restrict the solution to the treatment site to provide comfort when longer dental procedures are required. Epinephrine, however, may not be suitable to use in those who have cardiovascular problems or cannot tolerate the medication. Varying anesthetics, with or without epinephrine, may be selected by the dental professional for treating certain areas of the mouth.
Patients receiving local anesthesia dentistry services experience the following benefits:
- Comfort throughout the duration of the procedure
- Convenience of returning to regular activities immediately following treatment
- Local anesthetic effects wear off a few hours after treatment
- Can be administered in emergency cases to eliminate jaw or mouth pain and provide short-term relief
Post-operative concerns associated with local anesthesia services are typically discussed with patients following the dental procedure. These instructions include avoiding chewing or eating while the cheeks, lips or tongue are still numb, as this may result in inadvertently biting these areas and causing trauma. Once the anesthesia wears off, the jaw muscles may be sore or tender due to the placement of the injection.
Talking With Your Dentist About Local Anesthesia Dentistry Services
Local anesthetic may be provided on its own to provide comfort during treatment or combined with other sedation methods when dental anxiety and fear are a concern for the patient. When discussing your own options for dental anesthesia, make certain to inform your dental professional of all medical conditions you may have as well as any medications or dietary supplements you are taking. Contact your dentist today to learn more about local anesthesia dentistry services.