Kitcha Dental Clinic Chiang Mai

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Patient Instruction Local Anesthesia

1. General Information

Local dental anesthesia is used to numb a specific area during treatment without affecting the central nervous system. It works by blocking nerve signals to the brain, causing numbness in the treated area. However, local anesthesia does not cause numbness in other parts of the body that do not come into contact with the anesthetic.       

2. Purpose of using local anesthesia

  • Patients feel relaxed and pain-free during treatment.
  • Dentists can work comfortably without worrying about patient movement due to pain.
  • This ensures the treatment is completed efficiently and safely.

3. Advantages of Using Local Anesthesia

   An effective, safe, and convenient method to alleviate oral pain, ensuring a smooth dental treatment experience for patients.

4. Risk and Side Effects

 General Risks

  • Allergy to anesthesia
  • Persistent numbness.

 Specific Risk :  None

5. Alternatives

  • local anesthesia combined with anti-anxiety drugs.
  • General anesthesia or deep sedative treatments.

6. Pre / Post Care

Children, elderlies and patients with medical history of using medicines that decrease ability in controlling muscles  should  be taken extra care of.

  • Local anesthesia effects can last for 2-3 hours.
  • Monitor patients closely to avoid patient from biting their lips, tongue or inner cheek pouch when the anesthesia is still effective
  • Avoid taking food that needs to be chewed when local anesthesia is still effective. If required, soft food should be taken and patients should use the untreated teeth for chewing.
  • If a patient accidentally bite their lips, tongue or inner cheek pouch making it injured (or bleed/swell), compress the wound with clean cloth until bleeding stops. When anesthesia ’s effect is gone, pain might occur in the treated area and analgesics might be taken if necessary.
  • Avoid sour or spicy food. Take care of hygiene around the wound. Applying medicines on the wound is not necessary as it can heal on its own within 1 week.
  • Patients should gargle often with normal saline (salt ½ teaspoon mixed with 1 clean glass of water). This will help in faster healing process.