Local Anesthesia

Question: If I have 2 wisdom teeth and a additional molar removed, will they knock me out or use local anesthesia? I have 2 wisdom teeth breaking through(both on the bottom) and also a broken tooth on the bottom...If I go to the oral surgeon will they completely knock me out or will it only be local anesthesia?

Answer: You can have it done anyway you want. I'm not afraid of needles at all, but I am afraid of being put under, so there was no way I was getting IV or nitrous oxide gas. My dentist always used gas, but I think it was because he wanted to avoid any problems with patients, not because it was necessary. I had mine down under local anesthetic only by an oral surgeon. I didn't feel a thing. The surgery was over in ten minutes.

Question: WHat is it like to get your wisdom teeth pulled while under local anesthesia and novacane? I'm getting 2 wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow and I'm only getting local anesthesia and novacane..whill i fell anything such as pain or pressure?...and do i get painkillers afterwards?

Answer: I had 2 taken out with only local anesthetic. I didn't like the shots to get numb (I can be a wimp), but other than that it was just odd. The dentist and an assistant in your mouth, some pressure, noise, and then it's done. To me it sounded like potato chips crunching. Then they showed me the teeth and it was over. You won't feel anything sharp, just some weird pushing/pulling. Depending on your teeth (how hard/easy they are) you will probably get a pain prescription for afterwards. Make sure you follow the post-surgical instructions! Good Luck!

Question: Can some explain to me whats it like to extract my impacted bottom wisdom teeth with local Anesthesia? I am having surgery tomorrow and I'm really nervous. Can you guys help me and give me information whats it like to get your impacted bottom wisdom teeth with local anesthesia.

Answer: Piece of cake. I had mine out years ago, and things have improved considerably since. The procedure is nothing, you're numbed up and the teeth come out fast. The recovery is usually a little painful at first, but the mouth heals quickly. Use ice packs on your face to keep down the swelling. Eat soft, cold things like ice cream, apple sauce and yogurt. You will probably sleep alot after the procedure. In a few days, you will feel better. Take the pain medicine and take it easy. Good luck.

Question: I would like a brazilian wax, but it hurt so much the first time. Is there such thing as local anesthesia? I would really like to get another brazilian wax, but it hurt so much that unless there is some sort of local anesthesia, I probably will stick to shaving. Any suggestions?

Answer: yes, but only prescription strength actually works. Your doctor will know what will work best for you. Call your doctor's office and speak with a member of the clinical staff and explain what you want/need and you might not even need to see your doctor to get it. BTW you will still feel it it just wont be so bad. Also it is a cream and you have to leave it on for up to 30 min right before your wax and then wash it off. You will have to talk to your salon to see if they will work with you on this to have a place to sit for 30 min while you wait for it to do its work and then a place to wash it off right before your waxing.

Question: if I had a reaction to local anesthesia, will general be the same? I have had severe reactions to local anesthetics, so I am wondering if I would have one from general anesthesia.

Answer: Nope. What reaction did you have? True allergic reactions to local anesthetics are rare. Reactions are usually due to overdose or intravascular injection. It's VERY common for people to experience a fast heartbeat from the epinephrine in local anesthetics, especially at the dentist. You get a feeling like your heart is going to leave your chest, along with a feeling of doom, like you're going to die. That's actually normal if too much epi gets into your blood stream. I've had that happen to me, and it was awful, even though I KNEW what was happening. General anesthesia is a totally different thing, with totally different drugs. Just make sure you tell the anesthesiologist exactly what problems you've had in the past.

Question: Dentist suggested met go for root canal treatment, but even after using the local anesthesia why I had pain? I had pain on my tooth. The dentist suggested met go for root canal treatment. But even after using the local anesthesia, my canals and nerves were sensitive. It was very painful for me and the doctor could not perform the treatment. My dentist told me that I have to undergo that pain; otherwise he may need to extract the tooth. I am not sure what to do.

Answer: Sometimes when there is an infection, the tooth cannot get numb (freeze)...then they will put you on an antibiotic until it calms down...that usually does the trick and it can then be numbed and worked on.

Question: I am going for an abortion and am getting local anesthesia, Does it hurt when they give you the injection? I am just weighing my options for either local or general anesthesia; I know local is a little safer so I just wanted to know if it hurt when the local anesthetic is injected in the cervix.

Answer: I regret I don't know, but you can ask for Lidocaine before the injection to numb the area before the injection. Local anesthesia is always safer than general, so I would go with the local given a choice. Please see the first reference below for an informative medical article on this very issue.

Question: Wisdom teeth - should I be put under or just use local anesthesia? I get my all of my wisdom teeth plus 1 extra tooth removed next week. To be put under it will cost an extra $320. My hubby and I are kinda going thru a rough time financially so I really cannot afford to be put under. How much difference is there, pain wise, with the local anesthesia vs being put under?? Please be honest! I am a tough person. I've had cavities filled without any anesthesia at all, so my pain tolerance is pretty high, BUT I just wonder how bad it'll hurt. my insurance will only cover 600 of the $1300 service.

Answer: I had to have some extractions and wasn't about to pay the extra $1000 that they wanted to put me under. They gave me a pill called Halcion to calm my nerves (unfortunately the gave me too small a dose, but if I would have had more I would have been much happier). I had my MP3 player turned way up so that I couldn't hear and just let them do what they had to do. You will be sore either way afterward and the next days. Good luck.

Question: Can you have arthroscopic shoulder surgery with just Local Anesthesia? General Anesthesia is usually used....but do ya'll know if just local anesthesia can be used?? BECAUSE I MIGHT BE PREGNANT.

Answer: If you don't want general anesthesia, ask for an interscalene block. It's an injection done in your neck that makes your shoulder numb. You can have sedation on top of the block if you wish. If you have it done under straight local, you'll probably be uncomfortable.

Question: Will smoking marijuana affect local anesthesia? Im having a minor surgery done and going under local anesthesia for about 2 hours, will smoking marijuana affect the local anesthesia? If so, how long should I stop smoking before my minor surgery?

Answer: Local anesthesia = numbing medicine. It won't be affected. If you come in reeking of pot, though, your doctor may refuse to do any surgery. I've seen that happen. You aren't really able to give informed consent if you're high. If you come to my OR and are stoned, your surgery will be canceled. And, yes, we CAN tell.