In dentistry, Local Anesthesia refers to medication commonly mentioned as Novocaine, although that anesthetic has not been in regular use for more than two decades. It is any technique to render part of the body insensitive to pain without affecting consciousness. The drugs commonly used to make teeth numb are now lidocaine, mepivocaine, bupivocaine, etidocaine, and prilocaine. Injectable local anesthetics prevent pain in a specific area of your mouth during treatment by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain and numbing mouth tissues. Injectable anesthetics may be used in such procedures as filling cavities, preparing teeth for crowns or treating periodontal (gum) disease.

Note: The definitions on our web site are for reference purposes only and in no way represent any official dental advice. If you are experiencing any symptom defined by a term, you should seek the advice of your dental practitioner.

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