Do you get anxious when you visit the dentist? 

Does your fear of pain over-power any rationality?

Is a high pain tolerance something you experience? 

If you answered yes to these questions or even one of them, you’re definitely not alone.

Dental anxiety, fear of not being able to control your pain, and what a procedure will actually be like are all common concerns for patients. 

Thankfully, modern dentistry affords different options for anesthesia and pain control to help ease your time in the dental chair. 

Let’s find out what types of anesthesia a dentist may offer at your visit. 

WHAT TYPES OF ANESTHESIA DOES A DENTIST OFFER?

The three most common types of dental anesthesia are: 

• Local 

• Sedation (also referred to as “Sleep Dentistry”)

• General 

Each one offers a variety of options for each patient and what is best for the unique circumstance.

The dentist will take into account a patient’s medical history, if they have a preference in regard to local anesthesia versus sedation, and if the procedure is minor or invasive. 

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

This particular form of anesthesia is the most common because it can be easy to administer and you will feel relief almost immediately.

It’s administered via an injection in a targeted area to stop the nerves from talking to your brain about pain in that particular area. 

You’ll see this option used for dental procedures like treating gum disease (especially the more difficult cases), tooth extraction, cavity filling, root canal, and crown. 

This is also very popular for dental emergencies that may be painful but don’t require deep sedation. 

Local anesthesia typically wears off anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more after injection. 

SEDATION

Sedation can be used for a wide variety of dental visits and may even include help with not only pain relief, but dental anxiety as well. 

It’s also referred to as “sleep dentistry” for those who require extra support for feelings of anxiousness and pain sensitivity. 

This form of sedation has three levels: mild, moderate, or deep.

Each one has a level of consciousness where you’ll be conscious (can respond to dental professionals), semiconscious which is moderate, and barely conscious which is deep. 

If you’ve heard of laughing gas (nitrous oxide) you’re probably familiar with this form of sedation and are aware of how it can quell the nerves. 

GENERAL ANESTHESIA 

General anesthesia is the deepest form of sedation and will result in a temporary loss of consciousness.

This is usually administered via IV or face mask and given to patients in a hospital setting that are about to undergo invasive oral surgery such as bone grafts, oral cancer removal, cleft lip/palate reconstruction, corrective jaw, etc.

Are you grateful for the pain relief and anxiety-reducing options that modern dentistry has today? We don’t want to think about how a general tooth extraction went down in ancient times. 

Rest assured that your brain and pain have choices when it comes to sitting in a dental chair! And don’t be afraid to speak with your dentist about what the best options are for you. 

Ready to sit back and relax in the dental chair? (Well, for the most part anyway!). We’d love to help you feel in control of your next dental visit. 

Contact Integrity Dental in Pu?eblo, CO today to get started.