When our patients need advanced dental work done, such as the filling of a cavity, placement of a dental implant, or completion of a root canal, we use dental anesthesia to provide comfort and support to the patient and to provide us with the best environment possible to complete the treatment. Depending on the treatment, we may use different types of anesthesia to block pain and sensations in the affected area.
Most dentists use articaine or lidocaine to numb a tooth before a treatment begins. Often, these anesthetics are paired with adrenaline or epinephrine to increase the longevity of the anesthetic. If dentists have trouble numbing an area to provide enough comfort, he or she may offer multiple injections of anesthetic, which can also increase the longevity of the numb feeling that patients experience.
In most cases, these local anesthetics last about 1-2 hours, although a patient’s tongue might be numb for longer (sometimes up to about 5 hours or so). Some dentists also use a compound called Oraverse to reverse the effects of the anesthetic in about half as long.
If you have any questions about dental anesthesia or if you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.