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Anesthetic methods at the dentist – what are the options??

by Armin Safavi-nab
written on May 12th, 2016

Treatment at your dentist doesn’t always have to be painful! (© contrastwerkstatt – fotolia)

Nobody likes going to the dentist, especially when the treatment requires painful surgery. Fortunately, we do not have to hand ourselves over to the drill without support: anesthesia is a matter of course for major interventions and makes the treatment painless. But stunning is not the same as stunning. We show you which types of anesthesia there are and which methods are particularly useful for dental treatment

Local anesthesia at the dentist

The best known and most common anesthesia method at the dentist is local anesthesia. With this method, only the part of your mouth where the treatment actually takes place is made numb. The method has proven itself and has been used for over 100 years. As early as 1884, the doctor injected Dr. William Halsted locally cocaine a patient for treatment.

Nowadays, of course, other active ingredients are used that pose fewer risks. Lidocaine or its derivatives are chosen for most treatments. The duration and intensity of the effect also differ from patient to patient. It is therefore important that your dentist is sensitive and experienced to perform the anesthesia properly. Local anesthesia is usually a sensible anesthetic method.

But there are a few points to consider, for example the allergy risk. If you cannot tolerate lidocaine, you have to switch to another active ingredient. Your dentist will ask you in advance about known intolerances and your current medication intake.

anxiety patients

Another negative for local anesthesia is the need for a syringe to make the injection. For many patients, especially anxiety patients, the prospect of getting a tip is almost worse than the subsequent treatment. If you have any fears, speak to your dentist.

There are alternatives. In addition, the puncture site is often anesthetized beforehand, so that you sometimes feel nothing of the injection.

After local anesthesia: injuries and side effects

After a local anesthetic, you are also restricted for a few hours: it is difficult to speak until the anesthetic subsides and eating and drinking can be difficult – you should avoid this because of the risk of personal injury.

Be careful not to accidentally bite your tongue or lips – this can happen as long as the anesthetic wears off.

Overall, local anesthetics have been tried and tested, reliable and very safe. Side effects are rare and usually only temporary. Injection site hematoma may occur. In the worst case, a nerve is injured, which can lead to numbness or discomfort after the treatment.

General anesthesia

If you are very afraid of the prospect of dental treatment, general anesthesia can be an alternative to local anesthesia. Not only is a small part of your mouth area anesthetized, but you are also put into an artificial sleep.

You do not feel any pain and do not notice the treatment. When you wake up, you have already got through everything. General anesthesia is, however, only possible in exceptional cases, since the risk is much higher.

The reasons for general anesthesia are rarely medical, mostly psychological: As an anxiety patient, it may make sense to accept the increased risk so that you can get through the treatment mentally.

Twilight sleep (sedation)

Modern practices offer another alternative if local anesthesia is not advisable: Twilight sleep. With this method, you are in a pleasant twilight state, in which fears and pain are eliminated. It is a gentle alternative to general anesthesia, which protects your body and your psyche equally. Sedatives are administered through a venous access to the arm.

The nitrous oxide sedation

General anesthesia is an alternative to local anesthesia for anxious patients. (© fotolia-69440227-pathdoc) Sedation of nitrous oxide is induced by inhalation of nitrous oxide. To do this, wear a rubber mask over your nose, which provides the relaxing gas. In many practices it is provided with freely selectable flavors to relax you additionally.

First of all, breathe in pure oxygen so that the dosage can be tailored to you. Your dentist will gradually increase the nitrous oxide concentration and agree with you on the exact time when you are ready for treatment. The syringe can then be placed for local anesthesia – without fear on your part.

Advantages of nitrous oxide sedation

Laughing gas has the advantage that it gives you total relaxation during treatment, even if the procedure is complicated, long or subjectively scary. You can also be addressed during the treatment. Since your body is protected in contrast to general anesthesia, this method is also suitable for lengthy treatments such as the placement of implants, tooth extractions, root canal treatments or multiple crowns.

After the nitrous oxide has been discharged, you are fully operational again. In contrast to general anesthesia, you will be on your feet again after a few minutes and will be able to drive again. Therefore, after your treatment there is no need for an accompanying person to take you home after visiting the dentist.

Salmon gas treatment, like local anesthesia, can look back on a long history dating back to the 19th century. The method is simple and safe and is used millions of times these days. No serious complications are known to date.

Conclusion

If the next dental treatment gives you stomach ache, ask your dentist if he also offers nitrous oxide sedation! Our patients are satisfied with this method.

This article is for general information only, not for self-diagnosis, and is not a substitute for a doctor’s visit. It reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of jameda GmbH.

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