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Dental Anaesthesia

When it comes to surgeries, dental anaesthesia is simply part of the routine.

It is administered in various ways to serve different purposes, but mainly to be able to carry out the procedure smoothly without pain.

Treatments That May Require Anaesthetic

Local anaesthetic is done to numb a localised surgical site for a painless and comfortable procedure. Therefore, do note that its use is not limited to the aforementioned treatments.

Local vs. General Anaesthetic

General anaesthetic is required in major operations to bring the entire body into anaesthesia and is only carried out in hospitals.

On the other hand, local anaesthesia may be used in smaller surgeries such as dental procedures, where the anaesthetic is injected into the surgical site.

Types of Dental Anaesthesia

  • Topical Anaesthetic

    Topical anaesthetic is the application of gel to the distinct area of soft tissue where the surgical site is. Thereafter, the gel is left for a few minutes to ensure that it works effectively.

    Purpose: to numb the gums or cheek before local anaesthetic is injected.

    This type of anaesthetic works great on the surface of the gums. However, if the surgery requires any drilling, it will have to be followed by a local anaesthetic injection to reach the nerves deeper inside. At times, It is also used to remove loose deciduous teeth in children.

  • Local Anaesthetic Injection

    Local anaesthetic is typically injected after a topical anaesthetic, directly into the surgical site to shut down the nerves.

    Most of the time, lidocaine is used, combined with a small amount of epinephrine to amplify the numbing effect. Patients rarely feel pain during the injection.

    This type of anaesthetic is essential for procedures such as root canals, fillings and extractions.

  • IV sedation

    IV sedation is safe, effective and highly recommended for long procedures and anxious patients. The anaesthetist will administer the IV sedation through a small cannula on the back of your hand.

    You can be easily roused after the procedure and may resume normal activities shortly. However, you should avoid driving, consuming alcohol, or doing activities that require concentration for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Preparing for Anaesthetic

Prior to your surgery, your dentist should advise as to whether anaesthetic is required. If it is necessary, some instances may prohibit you from consuming food and liquids a few hours before surgery.

If you are on any medication, it is also important to inform your surgeon accordingly. Medications that contain blood thinning agents (e.g. aspirin, warfarin) should be highlighted.

FAQs

In order to perform dental surgeries safely and successfully, anaesthetic is necessary. It numbs the nerves of the patient’s mouth to ensure that the procedure is painless.

1 – 3 hours.

During this period, keep in mind that you should not chew on the numb side until the anaesthetic wears off. Also, be careful not to injure yourself in the numb area.

For minor surgeries like dental procedures, local anaesthesia is considered to be very safe.

Temporary effects may include

  • Bruising
  • Headache, dizziness and nausea
  • Tingling

Having said that, a study quoted by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons found that only 6% out of 34,000 patients who were administered anaesthetic had minor side effects. Only a small percentage of patients experienced prolonged or permanent numbness.

Therefore, anaesthetic is generally considered safe.

Why Choose i.Dental?

  • Experienced Dentists

    Our surgeons at i.Dental are certified and experienced and therefore, able to administer anaesthetic safely and effectively to facilitate a smooth procedure. We also engage an anaesthetist to administer the IV sedation.

  • Specialised Equipment

    We aim to bring in equipment that will ensure the efficiency of the treatment while assuring your comfort.

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i.Dental™ aims to design smiles and define confidence for our clients.

With decades of experience, our team of dental practitioners is able to provide high-quality, tailored dental services in Singapore.

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