Various types of anesthesia may ensure a comfortable and pain-free experience during a tooth extraction. The choice of anesthesia generally depends on the complexity of the extraction and the patient's comfort level.
Local anesthesia is most commonly used for simple tooth extractions. It involves injecting a numbing agent, often lidocaine, into the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. This completely numbs the area and allows the dental team to perform the extraction comfortably, with the patient remaining fully conscious but feeling no pain.
Sedation anesthesia may be recommended for more complex extractions or patients with dental anxiety. It can range from minimal sedation, which helps patients relax while remaining awake, to moderate sedation, which puts patients in a deeper state of relaxation but allows them to respond to instructions. Sedation is typically administered orally or through an intravenous (IV) line.
The least common type of anesthesia for tooth extraction is general anesthesia, which involves an anesthesiologist or a dentist with specialized training in anesthesia administering more potent medications that put the patient “under” into a deep, unconscious sleep. General anesthesia is only used for the most complex extractions, like those of severely impacted wisdom teeth or in cases when multiple teeth must be extracted at once.
Comfortable, Pain-Free Tooth Extraction in Winston-Salem, NC
If you're looking for a dentist in Winston-Salem, NC, to guide you through the tooth extraction process calmly, compassionately, and without discomfort, rather than Googling "dentist near me" and taking your chances, contact Dr. Jeffrey Tibbs and the friendly and skilled Tibbs Dental team to schedule a consultation!