local anaesthesia

Local Anesthesia in Modern Dentistry

The very foundation of comfortable and pain-free dentistry rests on the effective use of local anesthesia. This medical marvel works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals in a specific area of the mouth, preventing pain impulses from reaching the brain during procedures. From routine fillings to more complex extractions and root canals, local anesthetics like lidocaine ensure that patients can receive the necessary care without discomfort, transforming what was once a dreaded experience into a manageable one.

The administration process is a precise science. Dentists carefully select the type and dose of anesthetic based on the procedure's complexity, the patient's health, and the expected duration. Using a fine needle, the anesthetic is delivered to the nerve pathways surrounding the treatment tooth. While the initial pinch might be felt, modern techniques and topical gels have made this process quicker and more comfortable than ever before, with the numbing effect setting in within just a few minutes.

Despite its widespread success, patient communication is key. It's crucial to inform your dentist of your full medical history and any medications you're taking. After the procedure, the numbness can last for a few hours, requiring care to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or lip. Understanding how local anesthesia works demystifies the process and empowers patients, reinforcing that modern dentistry is committed to both oral health and patient comfort.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Comments:
Dickson says:
This is a great read and really explains why I never feel pain during my appointments - it's all about that effective local anesthesia! I used to have major dental anxiety, but understanding the process has helped so much. 
Related tags:

Courses tagged with "local anaesthesia"

Introduction to dermoscopy | Monday 16 June 2025

These are materials from a course that took place  on Monday 16 June 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 16 June 2025.

This course was facilitated by Dr George Moncrieff and designed specifically for healthcare professionals eager to enhance their skills in skin lesion assessment. There are practical insights into clinical lesion recognition and fundamental dermoscopy principles that not only boost your confidence but also improve patient outcomes.

 

Topics Include:                

  • General approach to lesion diagnosis
  • Introduction to dermatoscopy
  • Identifying benign lesions
  • Pigment network pattern and vascular structures
  • Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) 
  • Signs of malignancy

Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 16 June 2026.

Login to access course >
Category: Webinars and Online Conferences
Curriculum: Dermatology
Date of publication: 16 June 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Hide

Minor Surgery Skills | Entry Level (includes DOPS) April 2025 - March 2026

These are materials from a course that took place April 2025 - March 2026. This presentation will be available to view until 31 March 2028.

This course has been specifically designed to ensure practitioners meet the requirements of the 2014 DES Minor Surgery Contract and has been approved by NHS England formulated from the latest NHS e-guidelines to do so.

 

Topics Include:                

  • Preparation and planning
  • instruments materials and sterilisation
  • Local anaesthesia
  • Basic surgical technique
  • Epidermal cysts and abscesses
  • Snip, scrape and shave lesions
  • Pigmented lesions
  • Cryosurgery
  • Joint injection techniques
  • Skin cancer
  • Medico-legal


Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 31 March 2029.

Login to access course >
Category: Minor Surgery Materials
Curriculum: Dermatology
Date of publication: 1 March 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Show

Minor Surgery Skills | Joint Injections May 2025 - May 2026

These are materials from a course that took place May 2025 - March 2026. This presentation will be available to view until 31 May 2028.

This course has been specifically designed to ensure practitioners meet the requirements of the 2014 DES Minor Surgery Contract and has been approved by NHS England formulated from the latest NHS e-guidelines to do so.

 

Topics Include:                

  • Preparation and planning
  • instruments materials and sterilisation
  • Local anaesthesia
  • Basic surgical technique
  • Epidermal cysts and abscesses
  • Snip, scrape and shave lesions
  • Pigmented lesions
  • Cryosurgery
  • Joint injection techniques
  • Skin cancer
  • Medico-legal


Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 31 May 2028.

Login to access course >
Category: Minor Surgery Materials
Curriculum: Consulting in General Practice
Date of publication: 1 March 2024
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Hide

Minor Surgery Skills | Entry Level (includes DOPS) March 2024 - March 2025

These are materials from a course that took place March 2024- March 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 31 March 2028.

This course has been specifically designed to ensure practitioners meet the requirements of the 2014 DES Minor Surgery Contract and has been approved by NHS England formulated from the latest NHS e-guidelines to do so.

 

Topics Include:                

  • Preparation and planning
  • instruments materials and sterilisation
  • Local anaesthesia
  • Basic surgical technique
  • Epidermal cysts and abscesses
  • Snip, scrape and shave lesions
  • Pigmented lesions
  • Cryosurgery
  • Joint injection techniques
  • Skin cancer
  • Medico-legal


Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 31 March 2028.

Login to access course >
Category: Minor Surgery Materials
Curriculum: Dermatology
Date of publication: 1 March 2024
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Hide

Effective out of hours practice part 1

These are materials from part 1 of the Effective out of hours series that took place on 2 September 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 2 September 2026.

This course explored some of the differences between out of hours work and daytime general practice, including remote assessment, decision-making, lack of continuity of care and limited access to the electronic medical record. 

Topics Include:                

  • Complaints and safety
  • Emergency work
  • Safeguarding


Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 2 September 2026.

Login to access course >
Category: Out of Hours Materials
Curriculum: Urgent and Unscheduled Care
Date of publication: 2 September 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Show

Effective out of hours training part 2

These are materials from part 2 of the Effective out of hours series that took place on 16 September 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 16 September 2026.

This course explored some of the differences between out of hours work and daytime general practice, including remote assessment, decision-making, lack of continuity of care and limited access to the electronic medical record. 

Topics Include:                

  • infectious diseases
  • ethics
  • organisational issues


Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 16 September 2026.

Login to access course >
Category: Out of Hours Materials
Curriculum: Urgent and Unscheduled Care
CPD Points: 2.0
Date of publication: 1 March 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Show

Effective out of hours practice part 3

These are materials from part 3 of the Effective out of hours series that took place on 7 October 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 7 October 2026.

This course explored some of the differences between out of hours work and daytime general practice, including remote assessment, decision-making, lack of continuity of care and limited access to the electronic medical record. 

Topics Include:                

  • laboratory results
  • palliative care
  • telephone triage

Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 7 October 2026.

Login to access course >
Category: Out of Hours Materials
Curriculum: Urgent and Unscheduled Care
CPD Points: 2.0
Time to complete this course: 120 minutes
Date of publication: 7 October 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Show

Effective out of hours practice part 4

These are materials from part 4 of the Effective out of hours series that took place on 14 October 2025. This presentation will be available to view until 14 October 2026.

This course explored some of the differences between out of hours work and daytime general practice, including remote assessment, decision-making, lack of continuity of care and limited access to the electronic medical record. 

Topics Include:                

  • sepsis
  • mental health
  • challenging conversations/situations.  

Please note, these presentations are only available to those who attended the course on the day.

All presentations are watermarked and are not to be shared with others. These will only be available to view online up until 14 October 2026.

Login to access course >
Category: Out of Hours Materials
Curriculum: Urgent and Unscheduled Care
CPD Points: 2.0
Date of publication: 14 October 2025
Mode: Webinar
Remove from search results: Yes
Podcast icon: No
Course index: Show
Section titles: Show
Breadcrumb: Show