Local Anesthesia Treatment in Murrieta
Sometimes dentists need to do more in-depth work than your regular cleanings & exams. Due to the sensitivity of your teeth & gums, some treatment may require local anesthetic medication to cause numbness.
You may have heard of dentists using Novocain to numb patients’ mouths, but Novocain is not actually used anymore. Modern dentists use much safer & more effective drugs such as lidocaine. These are usually combined with other substances such as vasoconstrictors to increase the effectiveness & duration of the anesthesia.
There are two kinds of local anesthetics that dentists use to numb your mouth. The first is called a topical anesthetic, which is swabbed over a small area on the surface of your mouth or gums. In most cases, this is used to numb the area where the dentist plans to inject the other kind of local anesthetic. The injectable anesthetic is what we rely on to keep you comfortable & pain-free.
What Is Local Anesthesia?
Local anesthesia is used to make a very small, specific area of your body temporarily unable to feel sensations, including pain. Examples of procedures requiring local anesthesia include fillings, crown placement & root canals.
A local anesthetic works by blocking nerve cells in a specific area from sending pain signals to your brain. You can expect this numbness to last for two to four hours, which means you will probably still feel residual numbness after your appointment.
Before you undergo a procedure requiring local anesthesia, we will ask for information regarding any allergies & the medications you take. There is a possibility you might need a different formula if you have certain medical conditions. Call us if you have concerns or wish to know more about how we use local anesthesia.
What To Expect
Despite the numbness from the topical anesthetic, some patients feel a stinging sensation from the injection & think it isn’t working. In reality, this feeling is caused by the anesthetic drug entering the body & beginning to work. The stinging subsides within several seconds.
Side Effects
Local anesthesia does have side effects, but they are usually not serious. One well-known side effect is a temporary rapid heartbeat, which can happen if the local anesthetic is injected into a blood vessel. One of the chemicals used in the local anesthetic injection, epinephrine, can travel directly from the blood vessel to the heart. You may also know epinephrine by its other name: adrenaline. It is a naturally occurring substance in your body that can rapidly increase your heart rate. The fast heartbeat it causes can be alarming, but it is not dangerous & should return to normal in a matter of seconds.
Numbness
The numbness from local anesthesia will take a couple hours to wear off, which may inhibit proper speaking & eating. After your appointment, you’ll need to be careful about biting & chewing—you could bite your tongue or cheek & not feel it! You may also experience temporary swelling or drooping of parts of your mouth or face. Some patients find themselves unable to blink, though this is not something to worry about. The dentist can tape your eye shut so it won’t dry out. You’ll be able to blink normally again as soon as the anesthetic wears off.
Meet Your Murrieta Dentist
Daniel B. Pulsipher, DDS – Daniel B. Pulsipher, DDS, is a graduate of the University of Loma Linda School of Dentistry. He has also received extensive training in cosmetic dentistry, rotary endodontics and removable prosthodontics (dentures). Dr. Pulsipher is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, California Dental Association, International Association for Orthodontics & the Tri-County Dental Society.
5-Star Murrieta Dental Services
We make it fun for children to visit their dentist in Murrieta.
Get relief from dental anxiety for comfortable dental procedures.
Straighten teeth with a wide-range of options from Invisalign to traditional braces.
Reshape your gum line with gum contouring to fix gummy smiles and small teeth.
Replace a missing tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth with All-on-4 dental implants.
Diagnotics and solutions for tooth and gum infections including root canals and gum disease treatment.
Visit Springs Dental
We are located in the Murrieta Springs Professional Park off Murrieta Hot Springs Road.
Hours
~ Daily lunch break 12 Noon–1pm
5-Star Google Reviews
Insurance & Financing
We love your insurance and respect your budget and busy schedule. There are little to no out-of-pocket costs for most insured patients on cleanings, exams and x-rays.
0% financing is available on approved credit. While most insured families receive the majority of preventive services for FREE, we offer many different payment options, including CareCredit, so uninsured patients can still receive the dental care they need in a manner that fits their budget.
Blog Articles
Dental emergencies can strike at any time, often without warning. Recognizing the signs that require
Invisalign® aligners have become one of the most popular choices for individuals seeking discreet and
Root canal treatment is one of the most effective ways to save a tooth that
A straight, confident smile is something many people desire, but the thought of traditional metal
Just had your teeth professionally cleaned at Springs Dental? That fresh, smooth feeling you experience
What do you do when you find yourself facing a dental emergency? At Springs Dental
Frequently asked questions
How long do dentist appointments take?
Routine dental appointments, like teeth cleanings and dental checkups, take 45 minutes to an hour. Procedures like fillings, crowns, extractions, and dental implants can take up to two hours, depending on the complexity.
When should I go for an emergency dentist in Murrieta?
Come into Springs Dental for a same-day emergency dentist in Murrieta when you’re experiencing:
-
Severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away
-
A broken, chipped, or knocked-out tooth
-
Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
-
Bleeding that won’t stop after a dental injury
-
A lost filling, crown, or dental appliance causing pain or sensitivity
-
Signs of infection, like a bad taste in your mouth, fever, or pus
If you’re ever unsure, call us and we will guide you on what to do next.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. A dental implant has three parts: the titanium post, the abutment, and the crown. While the post is typically permanent, the crown may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear.
How long does Invisalign take in Murrieta?
Invisalign treatment takes between 6 and 18 months, depending on the complexity of your case. Mild tooth alignment issues take 6 to 12 months, while more advanced corrections can take over a year.
Do you do payment plans?
Yes, we have several options for payment plans and offer CareCredit so you never have to delay getting the dental treatment that you need.