The advantages of local anesthetic. - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

The visit to the dentist is for some an unpleasant memory, due to a painful experience. For those who dislike the idea of coming to the dentist there are other ways to have the treatment, with dental sedation, sleep dentistry or treatment under general anesthesia. When comparing the different types of pain relief, local anesthesia has several advantages and avoids some of the risks and unpleasantness associated with sleep dentistry and general anesthesia. It gives the patient a comfortable experience , a sense of being “in control” and the possibility to have the treatment without fear. When local anesthesia is given the patient returns to normal eating, walking etc. faster than in a general anesthesia. He is free to leave as soon as the treatment is over and unpleasant sensations like such as nausea and vomiting are avoided.

Other advantages of the local anesthesia have to do with the extent and duration of the anesthesia. Since local anesthesia provides a smaller anesthetized area and shorter duration it allows us to use it more frequently. I can customize the location and duration to the treatment needed. While with the other types of anesthesia, the duration is longer and it anesthetizes the whole body, which leads to the need to have all treatment done at once. That is why the local anesthesia can allow for a staged treatment where the financial cost can be spread over time. The staged approach can allow us, to monitor healing over a period of time before continuing with other treatment in the same tooth, which is important when performing a root canal treatment.

Due to the need to achieve a stronger effect, the drugs given for sleep dentistry and general anesthesia are more potent and the dangers of “side effects” are larger too.

Since all dental treatment, from a simple clean to a complicated extraction can be performed safely and comfortably with local anesthetic, it is my advice to have dental treatment with local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation, for the best outcome.

If you would like to visit for a checkup or hygiene clean, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.