Types of Dental Anesthesia
The spectrum of dental anesthesia includes-
- Local Anesthetics
- Sedatives
- General Anesthetics
1. Local anesthesia comprises of topical anesthesia and injectable
a) Topical Anesthetics are applied locally to mouth tissues with a swab to prevent pain on the surface level. Topical anesthetics are used to numb an area in preparation for administering an injectable local anesthetic. They may also be used to soothe painful mouth sores.
b) Injectable Local Anesthetics are used to prevent pain in a specific area of the mouth during treatment procedures like filling cavities, preparing teeth for crowns or treating periodontal (gum) disease. This is done by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain and numbing mouth tissues.
2. Sedatives help the patient relax and calm during dental visits. Often they are used along with local anesthetics. Sedatives can be administered by mouth, inhalation or injection.
3. General Anesthesia is used when complex treatments are to be carried out.
