The history of dentistry is almost as old as the history of humanity itself, as painful teeth have always been a problem.
It was more painful to keep a bad tooth than to remove it, so throughout history, various methods have been developed to make tooth removal less painful.
About a hundred years ago, with the development of the most well-known form of dental anesthesia, allergic reactions began to appear in patients.
The emergence of these allergic reactions led to the development of new anesthetics with fewer side effects, forming a safe foundation for modern dentistry.
In this week’s blog from the 4Smile Dental Center, we’ll guide you through the process of applying Llocal anesthesia in dentistry, before and after a procedure, as well as possible side effects and allergic reactions. We’ll give you plenty of reasons to ease your fear of the dentist and break any existing misconceptions about anesthesia.
WHY DO WE USE DENTAL ANESTHESIA?
Despite modern methods for reducing pain, dental anxiety and phobia remain common issues and are the main reasons people delay visiting the dentist, which in turn worsens dental problems.
Reducing the fear of the dentist is one of the key motivations behind the development and use of anesthesia.
Anesthesia is important for you because it eliminates potential pain and anxiety during any dental procedure.
At the same time, it allows your dentist, Ivan Antolković, more time to perform potentially complex procedures, reducing both physical shock and emotional stress for you.
WHAT TYPES OF DENTAL ANESTHETICS ARE THERE?
Today, there are many types of dental anesthetics, each with specific uses.
The type of anesthetic used can depend on the person’s age, health condition, duration of the procedure, and any previous negative reactions to anesthetics.
Anesthesia is divided by duration into short-acting (applied directly to the area) and long-acting (used for more complex surgeries).
By type, anesthesia can be categorized into local, sedation, and general anesthesia.
Local anesthesia is the most commonly used type during dental visits at Dental Center 4Smile.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Local anesthesia is used in almost all dental procedures at Dental Center 4Smile and is applied directly to the affected area to eliminate pain by numbing the nerves.
Before administering the anesthetic, your dentist Ivan Antolković will dry the area in your mouth with air or cotton.
You likely won’t even feel the prick of the thin needle – great news for anyone afraid of needles – and the only mild discomfort may come from the pressure of the fluid entering your tissue. This discomfort lasts only a few seconds, which is certainly better than a long dental procedure without anesthesia.
Dentist Ivan Antolković will wait a few minutes before starting the procedure to allow the local anesthetic to take effect. It usually begins working within 2 minutes.
Teeth in the lower jaw are harder to anesthetize than those in the upper jaw, so you may receive a slightly larger dose if the work is being done on your lower teeth.
When you receive local anesthesia, you will remain fully awake and able to communicate. Although the temporary numbness may make it feel like you have a “fat lip,” that’s a good sign – it means your nerves won’t feel any pain during your dental treatment.
The effects of local anesthesia can last for several hours, depending on the dose administered.
During that time, it may be difficult to feel the numb part of your mouth.
To avoid accidentally injuring yourself, dentist Ivan Antolković strongly advises not to eat or chew gum until full sensation and control return to your mouth.
SIDE EFFECTS OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Most people do not experience side effects from local anesthesia.
The risks are higher with sedation and general anesthesia, especially in elderly individuals and those with other health conditions.
Although side effects of local anesthesia are rare, the most common is numbness in the area around the injection site.
A less common side effect is an increased heart rate, which usually lasts only a minute or two.
Another possible, though rare, side effect is a hematoma, which can occur if the needle hits a blood vessel.
Additionally, the needle may injure a nerve, causing prolonged numbness and pain.
However, the good news is that with the professionalism of dentist Ivan Antolković, you have nothing to worry about – he ensures that anesthesia is administered with the utmost care and precision.
ALLERGIES TO LOCAL ANESTHESIA
Allergic reactions to anesthesia can range from mild to severe and may include rash, itching, swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat, and difficulty breathing.
Fortunately, allergies to dental local anesthesia are extremely rare.
Be sure to inform your dentist, Ivan Antolković, of any allergies you have.
To ensure the best possible outcome, during your visit to Dental Center 4Smile, you will be given a medical and medication questionnaire, which helps us evaluate and avoid any possible contraindications in your case.
With the help of local anesthesia, Dr. Ivan Antolković will ensure that every visit to Dental Center 4Smile is completely painless.
Book a free consultation at Dental Center 4Smile – because a filling definitely hurts less than a sick tooth.
