Patient Education
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Local Anesthesia: Pain-Free Dental Care
For more in-depth dental treatments, local anesthesia ensures you stay comfortable and pain-free. While routine cleanings don’t usually require numbing, procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals often do. Modern local anesthetics, such as Lidocaine, are safe and effective, providing targeted numbness so you can relax during your appointment.
What Is Local Anesthesia?
Local anesthesia blocks pain signals from a specific area of your mouth, creating temporary numbness that lasts for 2 to 4 hours. We use two types:
- Topical Anesthetic: Applied on the surface of your gums to numb the area before injection.
- Injectable Anesthetic: Administered to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment.
Before using anesthesia, we’ll review your medical history and allergies to ensure the best and safest option for you.
What to Expect During Treatment
You might feel a brief stinging sensation when the anesthetic is injected, but this quickly fades as the numbing takes effect. After treatment, your mouth may feel numb for a few hours, so be cautious when eating or drinking.
Common Side Effects
- Temporary numbness: Avoid biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue while numb.
- Rapid heartbeat: Sometimes, the anesthetic can cause a short, fast heartbeat due to a small amount of adrenaline (epinephrine). This feeling is brief and not harmful.
- Mild swelling: Parts of your mouth or face may temporarily swell or feel droopy. This will go away as the anesthesia wears off.
Our priority is to ensure your comfort and safety, so let us know if you have any questions about local anesthesia before your appointment.