Local vs. General Anesthesia: The Differences

Parents know the importance of regular dental care for their children. Routine checkups prevent minor dental issues from becoming more serious. Your dentist can also identify dental problems that might need more care as your child grows older. 

However, children might not always share their parents’ enthusiasm for the dentist. This is especially true when kids need more invasive procedures like extractions. 

Your dentist wants your child to be comfortable. If your dentist has suggested anesthesia for your child’s dental procedures, keep reading to learn more about local vs general anesthesia. 

Local vs General Anesthesia 

Dentists use several types of anesthesia during surgical procedures. Each procedure is unique, so talk with your local dentist for children about the proper anesthetic for your child. 

Local Anesthesia

Most dentists rely on local anesthetics to keep their patients pain-free during procedures. The dentist injects this anesthetic into the gum around the procedure site. 

A local anesthetic works by temporarily numbing the nerves around the teeth. Once the drug takes effect, your child will have little to no feeling in their tooth and gums. The dentist can then perform the procedure without causing pain. 

Local anesthesia is common for minor procedures like cavity fillings. 

After the procedure, the area might be numb for several hours. It’s essential to follow the dentist’s instructions for aftercare. 

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist in a hospital or surgical center. The patient is asleep and the doctor must monitor their breathing throughout the surgical procedure.

Dentists might suggest general anesthesia if your child has an injury to their teeth or needs several procedures simultaneously. They might also recommend general anesthesia for special needs children. 

General anesthesia can also be a good choice for children with severe dental anxiety. When they’re under anesthesia, their muscles are relaxed. This helps the dentist work quickly without causing pain. 

IV Sedation 

Sometimes IV sedation is confused with general anesthesia. Both are used for dental procedures, but IV sedation can often be administered in your dentist’s office. IV sedation is common for wisdom teeth removal and other extractions.

During IV sedation, medicines are given through an IV in your child’s hand or arm. The sedation effects are almost instant. Your child won’t be asleep, and they can talk and follow instructions. 

Plus, they won’t have any memory of the procedure.

In addition, IV sedation doesn’t interfere with their breathing. Your dental team will monitor your child’s blood pressure and heart rate during the procedure. When the procedure is over, the dentist removes the IV and you’ll wait with your child for the medication to wear off. 

Talk to Your Child’s Dentist Today

Creating healthy dental hygiene habits in children is vital. You want your child to learn to take care of their teeth and trust the dentist for help. 

If your child has a dental procedure, talk to your dentist about local vs general anesthesia options. With their help, you and your child will definitely have good reasons to smile. Feel free to continue browsing this section for our latest reads.