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Dental Anesthesia: Your Comprehensive Guide to Painless Dentistry - Frequently Asked Questions

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Krishanga, BDS on Nov 28, 2023


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do dentists use anesthesia?

Yes, dentists often use anesthesia to numb the area they are working on and minimize pain and discomfort during dental procedures.

2. What local anesthesia is used in dentistry?

The most commonly used local anesthesia in dentistry is lidocaine. It is a type of numbing agent that helps to alleviate pain and discomfort during dental procedures.

3. What anesthesia long-term side effects are commonly seen in individuals?

Long-term side effects of anesthesia are rare but can include cognitive decline, memory loss, and difficulty with concentration. However, researchers are still studying the potential long-term effects of anesthesia.

4. What anesthesia do dentists use?

Dentists typically use local anesthesia for most dental procedures, which involves injecting a numbing agent into the area being treated.


5. Why does local anesthetic not always work

Local anesthetics may not always work due to various reasons such as improper administration, specific patient factors, or anatomical variations that make it difficult to numb the targeted area effectively.

6. What is the reason for jaw pain after novocaine injection/ anesthetic injection?

Jaw pain after an anesthetic/novocaine injection can occur due to several reasons. One common cause is the stress placed on your jaw joint during the procedure. The injection itself may cause temporary inflammation and discomfort in the surrounding muscles and tissues. Additionally, if your mouth is held open for an extended period during the procedure, it can lead to muscle strain and jaw pain. It is usually temporary and should subside within a few days as the effects of the injection wear off.

7. Which doctor administers anesthesia during dental procedures?


Usually it is the dentist who administers local anesthesia during dental procedures. However, for administering general anesthesia and inhalation anesthetic agents the dentist is required to have completed a training program in anesthesiology.

8. What is the latest development done in the field of dental anesthesia?

Jet injectors have been developed so that even the pain of the needle prick is not felt. Since the administration of the injection is a blind process in which dentists do not know if the needle has gone into a vessel, efforts to incorporate a microchip connected to a monitor are being pursued. This will allow dentists to see where the needle has gone and could cut down the risk of injecting into a blood vessel.

9. What is done for pain management after a dental procedure?

Analgesics are the most commonly used drugs for the relief of toothache or pain following dental treatment. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are the most commonly used analgesics. To relieve more severe pain narcotic analgesics such as those containing codeine are used.

10. Is anesthesia side effects rash common?

Anesthesia side effects rash is not common and can be dangerous depending on the severity and underlying cause. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

11. Do local anesthetics and alcohol have harmful interactions?

Combining the two can increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can delay the metabolism of local anesthetics, leading to prolonged numbness and potential overdose. It is important to always follow the instructions of your healthcare provider and avoid consuming alcohol before or after receiving local anesthesia.

12. What is the dental numbing gel/numbing cream in dentistry? How does it work?

Dental numbing gel or numbing cream is a topical anesthesia used in dentistry to numb the area where injections or dental procedures will be performed. It works by temporarily blocking the nerve endings in the skin, making the area numb and reducing pain sensation during dental procedures.

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