
Controlling discomfort during dental work is one of our top priorities. Advances in anesthesia over the last century have made that objective easier to attain, especially for routine procedures.
The term anesthesia means “without feeling or pain.” It refers to the use of substances to prevent a patient’s nervous system from sensing pain. There are two basic types: general, through intravenous injection (IV) or gas inhalation that places a patient in an unconscious state; and local, which only affects the part of the body involved in the procedure while the patient remains conscious.
The latter type has become very important in dentistry, especially for mild to moderate procedures. Because teeth and gum tissues are rich in nerves, patients can have a heightened level of sensitivity that can increase anxiety and discomfort during dental work. Local anesthesia reduces that discomfort and relaxes both patient and dental provider.
We typically administer local anesthesia in two ways: by applying the anesthetic to the outside tissue surface (with a cotton swab, patch or spray) or by injection. The first type, topical anesthesia, is most often used to eliminate the pricking discomfort of the needle used to inject the main anesthetic. Using both applications eliminates any painful sensation at all — the only thing you might feel is a slight pressure during the procedure.
As mentioned before, local anesthesia benefits us as well as you. Knowing you’re at ease and comfortable allows us to better focus on the procedure — we’re not rushed to finish to spare you further discomfort. A relaxed, unhurried atmosphere is essential to a successful outcome for any dental procedure.
We’ve also found solutions for another issue with local anesthesia that concerns patients: the length of time the numbing effect lingers after a procedure. In response, the dental profession has developed different types of anesthesia that reduce this after effect considerably. We’re also more selective about what procedures actually require anesthesia — some, like routine teeth cleaning or work on the outer enamel (which doesn’t contain nerves), can usually be performed without it.
All in all, local anesthesia reduces your level of discomfort and increases our ability to be thorough in performing your dental work. You’ll not only find the experience more pleasant, but it will also enhance the quality of your care.
If you would like more information on alleviating pain and discomfort during dental work, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Local Anesthesia for Pain-Free Dentistry.”
Comments:
Find Us
Curt P. Posey, DDS, INC.
Fresno, CA 93720

Request Appointment
Our office has flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Patient Eductation

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- mouthguard (3)
- oral health (26)
- celebrity smiles (82)
- dental injuries (4)
- oral hygiene (31)
- orthodontics (10)
- tads (2)
- General Dentistry (1)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (3)
- teeth whitening (3)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- dental implants (22)
- gum recession (2)
- periodontal disease (3)
- gum disease (16)
- Sedation Dentist (1)
- Fresno (2)
- braces (8)
- aging (1)
- Reviews (1)
- oral surgery (2)
- oral cancer (3)
- orthodontic treatment (17)
- pediatric dentistry (19)
- sedation dentistry (5)
- jaw surgery (1)
- financing (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- retainers (3)
- Root Canal Treatment (5)
- gap (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- dental injury (7)
- stress (1)
- dental care (3)
- tooth grinding (1)
- dental health (1)
- dental implant (4)
- veneers (6)
- cracked tooth (1)
- Removable Dentures (1)
- crowns (4)
- dental anxiety (2)
- bonding (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- fillings (2)
- Toothbrush (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- chipped teeth (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- root canal (5)
- bad breath (2)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- anchorage devices (1)
- tooth decay (6)
- dental crowns (2)
- restorative dentistry (6)
- tooth wear (1)
- anesthesia (1)
- mouthguards (2)
- nutrition (3)
- Root Canals (2)
- mouth guard (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- laser dentistry (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- dental bonding (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- snoring (3)
- sleep apnea (3)
- missing teeth (2)
- teeth grinding (1)
- bonded retainer (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- plaque (1)
- root resorption (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- tmj (1)
- toothache (1)
- partial denture (2)
- bridge (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- professional teeth cleanings (1)
- bone loss (1)
- fluoride (2)
- dentures (2)
- cleft lip (2)
- cleft palate (2)
- retainer (2)
- Filling (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- crown lengthening (2)
- local anesthesia (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- teething (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure (1)
- dental exam (1)
- sealants (3)
- Implants (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- sugar (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment (1)