Numbing the Right Spot, and Only That Spot
Local anesthesia makes a small, specific area of your mouth temporarily unable to feel sensation. Unlike general anesthesia, it does not put you to sleep - it simply stops nerve cells in a targeted area from sending pain signals to your brain.
Procedures such as fillings, crown placement, and root canals are common examples of when we rely on local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout your appointment.
Two Types, Working Together
We typically use two forms of local anesthetic in sequence. A topical anesthetic is swabbed directly onto the surface of your gums to numb the spot where we plan to inject. That injection is the second type - the one that delivers deeper, longer-lasting numbness for the procedure itself.
Modern local anesthetics, such as Lidocaine, are often combined with vasoconstrictors that extend how long the medication works and make it more effective. The older drug you may have heard of - Novocaine - is no longer used in contemporary dental care.
What Happens During and After the Injection
Even after the topical anesthetic is applied, you may feel a brief stinging sensation when the injection is given. That feeling is simply the medication entering the tissue and beginning to take effect - it fades within seconds.
You can expect the numbness to last roughly two to four hours, so some residual numbness after your appointment is completely normal. During that window, take care when eating or speaking - it is easy to accidentally bite your tongue or cheek without realising it. Temporary swelling or drooping around the mouth and face can also occur, and a small number of patients notice temporary difficulty blinking; this resolves on its own as the anesthetic wears off.
Side Effects Worth Knowing About
Local anesthesia is generally well tolerated, and most side effects are mild and brief. One that can feel alarming is a temporary rapid heartbeat. This can happen if any epinephrine - a naturally occurring substance also known as adrenaline - from the injection reaches a blood vessel and travels to the heart. While the sensation is startling, it is not dangerous and passes within seconds.
Before any procedure requiring local anesthesia, we will ask about your allergies and current medications. Certain medical conditions may mean a different formula suits you better. Our team is glad to answer any questions you have before your appointment - reach out to us if anything is on your mind.