When you receive a dental treatment, our implant specialist will provide you with a local anesthetic to help you remain comfortable. Local anesthetics work to dull sensation in part or all of your mouth and may be used in combination with sedation dentistry to give you a more comfortable treatment experience.

Local anesthetics are typically used to numb specific areas, such as the immediate treatment area for a dental filling or a crown. Our implant specialist will dry part of your mouth, gently swab the area with a numbing gel, and then inject the anesthetic through a needle into your gum or inner cheek. While some patients do not feel the injection needle, others have reported a quick “stinging” sensation caused by the anesthetic moving into the oral tissues.

The effects of local anesthesia last for several hours, and you may experience some difficulty in chewing or speaking clearly until the numbness wears off. We strongly recommend that you exercise caution when chewing, as you may bite down on the numbed area and injure yourself without noticing. This is especially important for children — monitor your child carefully to make sure they do not chew on or play with the numbed areas of their mouths. This can cause significant harm due to the fact that they will not notice any injury or pain until the anesthetic wears off.

Please remember to speak with our implant specialist and team about any allergies you have and any medications you may be taking prior to receiving a local anesthetic. This includes herbal supplements, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. We are committed to your health and safety and will work with you to make sure your treatment experience is as comfortable and pleasant as possible while still remaining safe.

If you have any questions about local anesthesia or would like to make an appointment with our implant specialist , please contact our office and speak with a member of our team.