There are many types of dental anesthesia on the market so that patients do not experience any pain when undergoing dental treatments.
Many of us are afraid of the dentist because of the prick of the anesthesia, so, to take away this fear, we are going to talk about the different types of dental anesthesia that exist.
What is dental anesthesia?
First of all, let’s clarify the term dental anesthesia, although I’m sure you already have an idea of what it is without us explaining it to you.
The purpose of dental anesthesia is to eliminate sensitivity in a specific area of our body. That is, in the mouth.
Thus, our trusted dentist in Granada will be able to perform any treatment we need in a painless or uncomfortable way.
Well, having defined the term, let’s continue with the different types of dental anesthesia that exist.
Types of dental anesthesia
In general, it is the dentist who chooses the type of anesthesia based on the patient’s medical history and the type of procedure to be performed.
Therefore, it is very important to create a detailed clinical history of each patient, in order to know their situation in a way that allows us to meet their needs and administer the appropriate type and amount of anesthesia.
It is also essential that the patient clearly indicates to the dentist all his or her history of pathologies and previous illnesses. For example, there are diseases such as hypertension or diabetes that can be decisive when making the decision regarding dental anesthesia.
You should also tell the dentist if you are taking any medications, as some of these may alter the anesthetics.
Infiltrative and topical anesthesia
There are two types of anesthesia, infiltrative anesthesia and topical anesthesia.
– Topical anesthesia
It has a very short duration and is usually applied before the infiltrative anesthesia puncture.
It is what we know as a spray or gel for topical use.
– Infiltrative anesthesia
Infiltrative anesthesia can be of two types. One of them with vasoconstrictor effects, which provides a longer duration to the anesthetic and another one without these effects, whose use is optimal for diabetic or hypertensive patients, among others.
Also, depending on the procedure, the anesthesia may be periapical, which means that it only numbs one tooth; or troncular, which acts directly on the nerve trunk. This numbs a particular quadrant of the mouth, including the gum, tongue, lips and cheek.
Generally, the effects last about two hours.
Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia interrupts transmission at a specific point along the nerve pathway. Its purpose is to reversibly inhibit nerve conduction in certain areas of the oral cavity.
In this way, the sensitivity of the mouth is eliminated, so that the treatment to be applied to the patient is not painful or causes discomfort.
It is one of the most commonly used types of dental anesthesia in dental treatments such as dental fillings, implants, esthetic veneers, root canals or dental extractions.
It can also be used in a dental cleaning, although this is not common. It is usually done in cases where the patient has a lot of dental plaque and its removal is excessively bothersome.
But, so that this does not happen to you, we recommend you to visit our dental clinic in Granada every year for a professional dental cleaning.
Sedation for dental treatment
This type of anesthesia is not normally used. It is rarely used, as the fear of the needle prick has been reduced and, thanks to the anesthetic spray, it is hardly noticeable.
Even so, we are going to tell you about the types that exist:
– Conscious sedation: Administered intravenously and requires the use of local anesthetic to avoid pain during any dental treatment. However, it is the least common and it is necessary to have a cabinet equipped for it, as well as an anesthesiologist. Likewise, conscious sedation is not an anesthetic technique as such, but is performed when patients feel fear or anxiety before the surgical procedure.
– Oral sedation: These are sedatives that can be administered the night before the intervention or half an hour before the treatment in the dental clinic.
– Mild sedation: Consists of the application of nitrous oxide by means of a mask. As it is inhaled, it avoids the use of a needle and the need to prick the patient. This sedation allows the patient to remain conscious during treatment and is frequently used in periodontal maintenance, since this type of procedure involves more discomfort than a simple dental cleaning.
– General anesthesia: This is not a technique that is performed in a dental office. In other words, it can be used in oral surgery, but its use corresponds to the hospital environment.
Do you need dental treatment?
In Cervantes Dental Clinic we care about your dental health, so we advise you properly to treat your specific case.
As we have said, each of us is different, so our case is different. For this reason, personalized and attentive service is our daily routine.
If you need a dental treatment or want detailed information about dental anesthesia, just call or write us, we will be happy to assist you.
Smile is a universal language. Come to our dental clinic in Granada and we will advise you. First appointment free of charge!
