Sedation and Anesthesia
Local anesthetic
A local anesthetic is a medicine injected near a tooth or area of the mouth that blocks nerve signals so the area goes numb during treatment.
Local anesthesia is the most common way dentists keep you comfortable. The ADA says it is a type of medication used to prevent pain in a specific area of the mouth during treatment by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain, which numbs mouth tissues. You stay awake and can talk. The ADA says injectable anesthetics may be used for filling cavities, preparing teeth for crowns, or treating gum disease. The dentist may first use a topical anesthetic to numb the surface. Lidocaine is a common one. Numbness usually fades in a few hours, so take care not to bite your cheek or lip. See numbing and nerve block.