There are simply some people that are resistant to local anesthetics. The nerve can be flooded with local anesthetic without any numbing. These people often go through dental procedures, endure the pain, or just avoid going to the dentist altogether.
It doesn’t seem to matter which local anesthesia is used.
It is not known exactly what causes this. It could be the nerve supply comes from multiple nerves simultaneously.
Many local anesthetics block pain by inactivating sodium channels so these patients may not allow the drug to connect properly on the channel. Or it may be a genetic resistance to local anesthesia.
Very recently, I saw a 57-year-old woman who had a history of not achieving adequate numbness with Lidocaine, Septocaine or any other local anesthesia (and she knew them by name). She needed extraction of two wisdom teeth, full-mouth scaling and root planing.
Related post: What Do Dentists Use To Numb Your Mouth?
IV Sedation Was the Answer
The problem was not dental fear. Instead it was a physiological issue that prevented local anesthesia from working.
We used IV sedation. IV or intravenous sedation, is administered through a vein. With this method, you are in a semi-awake state and will likely have little to no memory of the treatment.
The procedure went smoothly and without discomfort.
I called her that night. She was thrilled, and she said, “I can’t believe it. I have no pain. I was expecting to be in pain. This is amazing.”
We were not only able to remove painful wisdom teeth that had been bothering her for 15 years. We were able to treat her periodontal (gum) disease all in a single session.
For patients who just can not get adequately numb with local anesthetics, IV sedation just may be the solution. Contact Scottsdale dentist for more information.