Cosmetic
Diagnostic
Extreme Makeover
Family Services
Missing Teeth
Pain Management

Local Anesthetic

At Better Image Dentistry, we want to ensure that your oral treatment is as comfortable and painless as possible – whether you are having a dental checkup or hygiene appointment, treatment for a broken or damaged tooth, or cosmetic dentistry.

For many procedures, no anesthetic may be required at all, or we may simply place a topical anesthetic on your gums to prevent pain on the surface level. For dental procedures where you may feel some additional discomfort, a local anesthetic may be used. We use CompuDent which is a computerized local anesthetic delivery system which allows for virtually painless injections.This is by far the most common form of anesthetic.

Better Image Dentistry offers a range of methods for pain management for patients being treated at our office in Bridgewater (Somerset County), NJ. Please contact us for more information.

What Is a Local Anesthetic?

A local anesthetic is a substance that numbs your mouth without causing you to lose consciousness or become drowsy.

Depending on where the local anesthetic is injected, it may numb an entire region of your mouth (such as one side of your jaw) or a smaller area.

What are the Benefits of a Local Anesthetic?

  • You will feel no pain during your dental treatment
  • If you want to, you can drive yourself home after the procedure
  • You will recover quickly (in one to six hours, depending on the type of anesthetic used) and can return to normal activities
  • Local anesthetic is very safe and has virtually no side effects


What Should I Expect if I Have Local Anesthesia?

Dr. Fairweather will discuss your dental treatment with you and determine whether a local anesthetic is appropriate. He will use the CompuDent anesthetic delivery system to give you a painless or nearly painless injection to numb your gums. Many patients don't even feel the needle at all! He will slowly inject the anesthetic so that you feel as little discomfort as possible.

Depending on your particular circumstances, the anesthetic you receive may be short-acting (one hour), long-acting (three hour), or extra long-acting (up to six hours). After your procedure is complete, your mouth and lip may be numb and feel “fat” for this period of time, and you may find it difficult to speak clearly or eat. It is important to avoid biting your mouth or lip while it is numb. Dr. Fairweather may advise you not to eat until the anesthetic has worn off.

Is Local Anesthesia a Good Option for Me?

Because every patient is unique, Dr. Fairweather and his professional staff will evaluate your specific dental condition to determine whether local anesthetic is a good option for you. Please contact us to schedule a consultation at our office in Bridgewater, NJ.