How Anesthesia is Administered
Anesthesia in dental procedures can be given in various ways.
Local Anesthesia
Dentists give injections of local anesthesia for routine dental procedures like filling cavities.
Local anesthesia can take about seven minutes to work, depending on the location of the tooth.
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Lower back teeth generally take longer to become numb.
Local anesthesia is considered very safe.
The biggest risk is allergies.
In a worst-case scenario, a patient may suffer breathing problems and require emergency care.
This is extremely rare and happens in fewer than 1 % of all cases.
Patients often feel a tingling or floating sensation but are awake, calm, and feel no pain.
The mixture wears off three to five minutes after the patient takes off the mask.
Dentists advise patients to wait at least five minutes before getting up to avoid the risk of falling.
Sedation
Other levels of sedation include deep and IV sedation.
They can even be given a combination of these methods.
Review studies show that while IV sedation is slightly riskier, sedation is safe for outpatient oral surgery.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is what’s commonly known as being put to sleep for a procedure.
General anesthesia is administered through a face mask, or given as an IV.
General anesthesia is riskier than local anesthesia and sedation but still considered very safe.
Side Effects
A multi-year review found that oral anesthesia is very safe.
The risk of death from oral anesthesia is estimated at three deaths per every one million cases.
However, there are side several known side effects.
But certain precautions are necessary if these are used.
One study found that redheads may require as much as 20% more anesthesia than blonde and dark-haired people.
Oral anesthesia is considered very safe and can calm people’s anxieties about going to the dentist.
However, people with certain medical conditions or allergies may have an increased risk of an adverse reaction.
A Word From Verywell
Many people hate going to the dentist.
However, there are some risks, especially if you have certain health problems.
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Beaton L, Freeman R, Humphris G.Why are people afraid of the dentist?
Observations and explanations.Med Princ Pract.
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Liem EB, Lin C, Suleman M, et al.Anesthetic requirement is increased in redheads.Anesthesiology.
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