Dental Anaesthetic: What it is -- and What You Should Know Before You Have It!
Many patients today have some degree of dental anxiety or fear, and that's most often related to worries regarding pain. Whilst there might be some level of pain during recovery (this can be managed with prescription or non-prescription tablets,) there's no longer any reason at all to suffer during the procedure. Dental anaesthetic can make even more complex dental procedures such as root canal therapy or wisdom teeth extraction quite comfortable and pain-free. There are a variety of different anaesthetics that your dentist might use, and there are also several different ways to administer them. Here's what you should know prior to your dental procedure.
Anaesthesia Options: General or Local?
There are two general categories of anaesthetics, local and general anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic is the most common for dental procedures. General anaesthetic -- the type which puts you completely to sleep during the procedure -- is typically reserved for only major surgery or for extremely complex dental procedures. With local anaesthetic, your mouth will be completely numb during the dental procedure, but you'll be awake (or possibly in a drowsy state.)
Delivery Methods: Which is Best?
Whilst there are several delivery methods available for local dental anaesthetic, your dental care provider will typically recommend injection. Anaesthetic injection is quite simple and fast. Your dentist will inject the dental anaesthetic directly into the area of the mouth where the procedure is to be performed. Within just a few minutes, you'll notice that the mouth is rapidly growing numb. You might feel as if your lips and tongue are thick and clumsy, and speaking might be a bit of a challenge temporarily. As soon as you're completely numb, your dentist can perform the procedure without you suffering any pain at all.
Your dentist may also keep dental supplies needed for other types of anaesthetic on hand, but these aren't used as often. One option is a topical dental anaesthetic that is smoothed on directly over the area where the procedure is to be performed. However, this type of dental anaesthetic isn't as effective as the injected type so it's usually used only for very minor procedures.
An inhaled gas, nitrous oxide, may be used as dental anaesthetic in some cases. This gas is inhaled via a mask prior to your procedure. It helps alleviate pain whilst giving you a feeling of mild euphoria. Whilst nitrous oxide doesn't exactly kill pain in the same way that injected anaesthetic does, it does greatly raise your tolerance to pain. In some cases, particularly for patients with dental anxiety, nitrous oxide may be combined with injected anaesthetic.
The Different Types of Anaesthetic
Your dentist has access to a variety of anaesthetic types from their dental supplies provider. Many dentists prefer one certain type of anaesthetic whilst others alternate among several types based on each patient's specific needs. Some of the most common dental anaesthetic options in Australia include:
- Lignocaine: Includes brand names such as Neurocaine, Xylocaine, and Lignocaine HCI
- Articaine: Includes brand names such as Deltazine and Bucanest
- Mepivocaine: Includes brand names such as Septodont
Speak to your dental care provider about any anaesthetic concerns or questions that you might have. With the help of a supportive dental care provider, your next anaesthetic experience can be comfortable and even pleasant.
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