Patient education: Dental anesthesia (The Basics)

What is dental anesthesia? — 

This means different types of medicine given before and during surgery or another procedure, such as dental fillings or deep cleaning of the gums. The medicines make it so you feel little or no pain during the procedure.

Your dentist or a doctor called an "anesthesiologist" might give you the anesthesia medicines. Sometimes, a "nurse anesthetist" is also involved. This is a nurse with special training in anesthesia. Or a specially trained dental hygienist can give some kinds of anesthesia.

What types of anesthesia are used for dental care? — 

Different types of anesthesia and other medicines can be used. They include:

●Topical anesthesia – This is medicine to numb a small part of your mouth so you don't feel pain. It comes as a cream, gel, or spray put onto your gums.

●Local anesthesia – After getting topical anesthesia, you might get an injection (shot) of local anesthesia into your mouth. This also numbs a small part of your mouth or jaw so you don't feel pain.

●Regional anesthesia – This blocks pain in specific areas of your mouth. A nerve block is a common example.

●Sedation – In addition to anesthesia, you might also get sedative medicines to help you relax and feel sleepy. You can breathe on your own during sedation. You might not remember the procedure afterward.

For minimal or moderate sedation, you might swallow medicine or get medicine through an "IV" (a thin tube that goes into a vein). Or you might breathe in a special gas called "nitrous oxide" or "laughing gas."

For some procedures, more than 1 type of anesthesia is used to make sure you don't feel pain.

What happens before dental anesthesia? — 

The dentist (and maybe the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist) will meet with you and do an exam.

They will ask you many questions, like:

●Do you have any health problems?

●Do you have any dental problems, such as loose teeth or false teeth?

●What medicines do you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements?

●Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or use any drugs?

●Do you have any allergies to foods or medicines?

●Have your relatives ever had a problem with anesthesia?

●Are you or could you be pregnant?

The type of anesthesia you will get depends on:

●The answers to the questions above

●The type of dental work you are having

You will get instructions about what to do the day of the procedure. This includes information about:

●Eating and drinking – You might need to "fast" before the procedure. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. Or you might be allowed to have liquids until a short time before the procedure.

●What to expect after the procedure – For example, you will need to have someone else bring you home.

What happens during dental anesthesia? — 

The dentist or anesthesiologist will monitor your pain control and your breathing. If you have general anesthesia, they will also monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. After you get anesthesia, the dentist will start the procedure.

If you are getting local or regional anesthesia, you will be awake during the procedure. Tell the dentist if you feel pain at any time during the procedure.

What happens after dental anesthesia? — 

If you had topical or regional anesthesia, your mouth and part of your face might feel numb. The numbness will slowly wear off over the next few hours.

If you had sedation or general anesthesia, you might need to stay at the dentist's office until you are fully awake. You will need someone to bring you home.

The dentist might prescribe medicines to:

●Help with pain

●Prevent infection

●Help with nausea

What are the risks of dental anesthesia? — 

Each type of anesthesia or sedation has possible side effects. Your dentist will talk to you about all the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Nausea and vomiting

●Coughing or trouble breathing

●Pain

●Feeling tired or sleepy

●Numbness that lasts more than 4 hours

●Injury to your lips or tongue, especially if you try to eat while your mouth is still numb

Tell your dentist if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Most types of dental anesthesia are safe during pregnancy.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Follow the dentist's instructions about:

•How to care for your mouth

•When you can return to your normal diet

●Be extra careful when eating if your mouth or tongue is still numb.

More on this topic

Patient education: Anesthesia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Anesthesia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Sedation for procedures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sedation for procedures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Nerve blocks (The Basics)
Patient education: Fasting before surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Questions to ask if you are having surgery or a procedure (The Basics)