There are a few types of anesthesia your dentist can give you during a procedure. Depending on your specific condition and treatment, a different type of anesthesia will be administered. You could receive local anesthesia or sedation and general anesthesia. These anesthetics will help give you a pleasant, pain-free procedure while you’re awake or asleep.

Local anesthetics are given to numb the pain while you’re still awake. It only numbs the area that is going to be treated. Topical treatments are placed with a swab over the mouth tissue to numb the surface level in preparation for the injectable local anesthetic.

These local anesthetics, such as Novacain, will block nerve receptors that transmit pain. It will only affect the specific area or region where administered. The injected area will begin to feel numb and swollen as your dentist continues with the procedure. Sedatives may also be used along with local anesthetics to relax your body and calm anxiety.

More intricate procedures may require general anesthesia. This will allow you to sleep comfortably while your procedure is being done. You’ll have a loss of feeling and reduced consciousness while under general anesthesia. If you have severe anxiety or trouble controlling your movements, general anesthesia might be necessary no matter how complex your treatment is.