The fear of pain in the dental office is the strongest brake that unnecessarily holds people back from dental treatment. Meanwhile, you should actually inform the dentist about your pain-sensitivity threshold, so that our uncontrolled reaction during the procedure does not cause an accident. No dentist wants their patient to suffer, and modern dentistry, together with anaesthesiology, comes to their aid with the modern methods of anaesthesia that they offer.
Precautions with modern anaesthetics
Because painkillers are not neutral for the body, every dentist or anaesthesiologist strives to use the smallest possible dose of the appropriate preparation. A doctor's refusal to use the strongest anaesthesia in the case of a small and minimally unpleasant procedure is not the result of ill will, but of their concern for our health and life. Anaesthesia can sometimes cause an allergic reaction ending even in anaphylactic shock, which is why one must under no circumstances hide from the doctor an allergy to any medicines. A diseased liver, respiratory or circulatory diseases may also create great danger during the administration of anaesthesia. It may happen that anaesthesia containing epinephrine leads to very serious circulatory problems. In turn, psychotropic medicines, after reacting with anaesthetics, may even lead to loss of consciousness. There are many other contraindications or conditions that may stand in the way of applying a particular anaesthesia. However, the range of currently available anaesthetics is so large that after a thorough interview an experienced dentist will select the most appropriate, safe type of preparation.
Anaesthesia of teeth at the dentist – types of techniques used to administer anaesthetics
Infiltration anaesthesia
A stronger type of anaesthesia, used especially when removing upper teeth, is the so-called infiltration anaesthesia administered by injection. This type of dental anaesthesia causes the nerve endings to lose sensation, as do the gums, tongue and cheeks. The only type of pain we may feel is the so-called deep pain, signalling that something is happening in our oral cavity. Infiltration anaesthesia is rather not used for treating the lower molars and premolars.
Intraligamentary anaesthesia
Another type of anaesthesia is intraligamentary anaesthesia, thanks to which a specific tooth can be anaesthetised with just a small dose injected by means of a pressure syringe. This type of anaesthesia is used, for example, in prosthetics and during root canal treatment. However, it cannot be used in the case of teeth affected by inflammation.
Intraosseous anaesthesia
The dentist performs this type of anaesthesia using a special needle that is drilled into the bone of the mandible or maxilla, which makes it possible to place the anaesthetic preparation deep within it. This makes it possible to anaesthetise the nerve endings. Unlike conduction anaesthesia, intraosseous anaesthesia does not desensitise the tongue, cheeks or lips. More and more often this type of anaesthesia is applied using a computer-controlled device. The advantage of this type of anaesthesia is that it spares the patient the sensation of the gum being pushed apart, and the anaesthetic is administered in the smallest possible dose.
Computer-controlled anaesthesia
The dentist performs this type of anaesthesia using a special device. The computer-controlled, very precise system of administering anaesthesia allows a gentler introduction of the anaesthetic. It is a solution friendly to both adults and children. It minimises the feeling of pressure, reduces the number of necessary punctures and the risk of biting the lip. Patients recommend this method of administering anaesthesia.
Inhalation sedation
Inhalation sedation, colloquially called laughing gas, has a slight anaesthetic effect. It is used independently of other anaesthetics. It does not cause unpleasant side effects. We write more about it on the inhalation sedation page.
Dentistry under general anaesthesia
During such anaesthesia – which can last up to 6 hours at a time – the patient undergoes comprehensive treatment covering not only surgical or implantology treatment but also conservative, endodontic or prosthetic treatment.
Such a procedure, contrary to many opinions, is a very safe procedure, provided that it is carried out in a facility with full anaesthesiological facilities.
General anaesthesia is – compared to other forms of general anaesthesia used, general or deep sedation – the most advanced method. The calculation of the cost of treatment is prepared individually, based on the specific situation and patient. Much depends on the scope of the dental work that needs to be carried out. The number and type of cavities affect the amount and type of dental materials used, as well as the duration of the procedure itself – which in turn determines the working time of the medical teams and the amount of anaesthetic medicines.