Having any procedure other than a basic teeth cleaning is enough to send many patients into a tizzy. But the dentist’s chair doesn’t have to be scary. Before you begin, talk to your dentist about your options to numb the pain and reduce anxiety for a procedure. Here, Dr. John Benedetto, of Wrigleyville Dental in Chicago, explains your options when it comes to reducing discomfort and easing your mind at the dentist.
What is Epinephrine?
One common questions patients ask is whether or not they should use epinephrine, which is in most anesthetics to shut down the capillaries in the area so that the anesthetic is more profound and lasts longer. If the dentist is performing a procedure other than a small filling that takes five minutes, the patient will need the anesthetic to be and last for a long time, especially in the case of a root canal, cap or other oral surgery. While many patients tend to be skeptical about it, epinephrine is essentially just adrenaline. One possible side effect: About 10 percent of patients experience heart racing for the first 10 minutes or so (women are more prone to this than men).
However, to use the strongest anesthetic possible benefits everyone. After all, the worst thing is to be in the middle of a procedure and wake up so the dentist has to give another injection— this increases the stress level for everyone, and it is difficult to get the tooth numb the second time around. For those who don’t want to walk around with the “fat lip” feeling, there are now also numbing agents that reverse the effect of the injection. If you do not want to be numb all day, you can get a second injection to the numb site, and the effect will wear off in about half an hour.
Should You Sedate?
Sedation is generally not recommended, as risks are involved. Unless you have extreme phobia of dental work, avoid the cost and the possible side effects of full sedation.
Other Options: Nitrous Oxide and Valium
Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas) is good; it comes out of your system within about 30 seconds after you remove the mask, so you can go on with your day. This can be used for any procedure; it does not numb anything (you will still need Novocain, an injectable local anesthetic used for fillings cavities, preparing teeth for crowns and treating gum disease), but will help you relax.
If you are especially nervous about a bigger procedure but don’t want to do sedation, ask your dentist for conscious sedation or anxiety management, where you take a valium but are still awake and can still function (though you should not drive). Some patients who are getting all their work done in one day will take a valium in the morning, and then take a few tablets throughout the day, so they are relaxed throughout the procedures.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
