When it comes to tooth extraction, anesthesia is an important factor to consider. Local anesthesia is the most common form of anesthesia used for numbing pain before extraction. This type of anesthesia is injected into and around the surgery area, usually in the inside of the cheek or gum. The most common anesthetic used by dentists is lidocaine, although other anesthetics are also available.
Local anesthesia allows you to remain conscious during surgery and can last from one to eight hours, depending on the type of medication used. In some cases, general anesthesia may be necessary for more intensive procedures such as the removal of impacted wisdom teeth or the placement of dental implants. This type of anesthesia shuts down all nerves in the body and is typically performed in hospitals. When it comes to dental implant placement or tooth extraction, taking into account the difficulty of the procedure will be another factor in the use of general or local anesthesia.
Your dentist will always use a local anesthetic, if not a general one, to avoid sensation and pain during tooth extraction. You may feel pressure or movement, but you shouldn't feel pain. You may feel some pressure and pinching, but the pain is minimal. Your dentist will prepare your mouth by drying part of it with cotton or air and then apply topical anesthesia to the gums.
They will then give a local anesthetic near the extraction site. Electronic dental anesthesia is also a viable way of controlling pain during some dental procedures and appears to be a substantial alternative to other conventional local anesthetic techniques. Taking into account the patient's pain tolerance will make a big difference in the type of anesthetic that should be used. Even with this in mind, removing wisdom teeth while you are awake shouldn't be painful. Many patients are surprised to discover that all they need is a little local anesthesia to help them perform tooth extraction.