Intra-oral, meaning into the
mouth
Extra-oral, meaning outside the
mouth on certain areas on the face.
The intraoral route is by far the commonly used route
of anesthetic administration in dentistry. Again,
depending on the procedure to be performed, the areas of
administration vary. If a single and very mobile tooth
is to be pulled out, then the area around the tooth is
singularly anesthetized. Where as multiple extractions
or complex surgical procedures require one side of the
face to be anesthetized. This is done by injecting the
solution close to the nerve, which supplies these areas
of the mouth. The effects of the anesthesia last from
2-4 hours though it can either last longer.