The Two Types of Dental Anaesthetic: A Guide

2 November 2017
Categories: , Blog

Advances in medicine mean that a trip to the dentist no longer needs to be feared. Whereas in the past the extraction of teeth, root canal work and the fitting of dental implants could all cause a great deal of pain, now, the types of anaesthesia available to your dentist mean that you will feel very little discomfort. Before you undergo any dental work, your dentist should explain to you which type of anaesthesia they are planning to use. In order to give you the heads up and to reduce any anxiety you may be feeling, below is a useful guide to the types of anaesthesia your dentist may use.

Local Anaesthesia

A local anaesthetic is a pain-killing medication which is administered to a precise location in your mouth. It is named 'local' because it only affects one small area. This means that you will be awake during the dental procedure, but the area of your mouth which is being worked on will be numb, and you will not be able to feel any pain.

A local anaesthetic is normally injected into the gum area near to where the dental work will be carried out. You may feel a short, sharp pain when the needle touches your gum, but this will soon be over. After a short time, you will feel part of your mouth go numb. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, the dentist will begin work.

A local anaesthetic is normally used for dental fillings and basic tooth extractions. If you have any allergies, you should inform your dentist. Your dentist will have access to a range of different local anaesthetics from their dental supplies and will be able to find one which is suitable for you.

Intravenous Anaesthesia

Intravenous (IV) anaesthesia is administered using a drip which will be inserted into a vein in your arm. When the IV anaesthesia enters your bloodstream, you will begin to feel very sleepy and will eventually lose consciousness. During the dental procedure, your breathing and heart rate will be monitored. Once the treatment is complete, the IV will stop and you will wake up. You may feel a little groggy, but you will have no memory of the treatment. IV anaesthesia is normally used in dental hospitals for more complex treatments that require surgery.

If you would like to find out more, you should talk with your dentist about different dental supplies and anaesthesia options today.

About Me

Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Jill, and I have lived all over the world. I have been everywhere from Australia to Holland to the States and back to Australia. Throughout all of my moves and journeys, I have struggled with diabetes. However, I never let it stop me from reaching my dreams or my travel goals. I learned how to find medical equipment and supplies anywhere, and I learned how to travel through customs with those items. If you want tips on buying, packing or travelling with medical equipment and supplies, you have come to the right place. Please, explore, enjoy and embrace these ideas!