LA - Overview

Question 1

define anaesthesia?

Answer 1

loss of all sensation

Question 2

what is referred to as the loss of pain sensation?

Answer 2

analgesia

Question 3

define local anaesthesia

Answer 3

a method of anaesthesia that acts in a local area of the body and does not result in a loss of consciousness

Question 4

what can a trained, competent and indemnified dental therapist undertake?

Answer 4

can give infiltration and inferior dental block anaesthesia

Question 5

range of uses for local anaesthesia? 3

Answer 5

pain control (during and post procedure)
diagnosis (differentiate which arch pain is coming from)
haemostasis (due to vasoconstrictor in LA)

Question 6

scope of dental local anaesthesia? 4

Answer 6

topical, surface anaesthesia
infiltration anaesthesia
regional anaesthesia
supplementary techniques

Question 7

what is topical anaesthesia?

Answer 7

it refers to the anaesthesia of surface tissues

Question 8

what are the uses of topical anaesthesia? 4

Answer 8

• aid pain free injections
• minor oral surgery
• abscess infection
• on palate for taking impressions

Question 9

what is infiltration anaesthesia?

Answer 9

refers to anaesthesia achieved by the diffusion of anaesthetic solution to the site of action and site of operation (e.g. root apex of tooth)

Question 10

what determines the effectiveness of infiltration anaesthesia?

Answer 10

permeability of tissues (especially bone) through which the solution has to pass through

Question 11

2 limitations of infiltrations?

Answer 11

case of divergent roots: one side anaesthetized, other root still has nerve response
dense outer cortical bone: lidocaine does not work, unable to diffuse, try articaine

Question 12

what is regional (block) anaesthesia?

Answer 12

anaesthesia achieved by blocking a nerve trunk at some distance from the site of operation

Question 13

what 4 nerves commonly undergo regional anaesthesia?

Answer 13

inferior alveolar nerve
mental/incisive nerve
lingual nerve
long buccal nerve

Question 14

what are some supplementary techniques of LA?

Answer 14

intraosseous injection
intraligamentary injection
drill through bone to anaesthetize

Question 15

why is excellent technique important?

Answer 15

fear is a major barrier to visiting dentist
fear comes from bad (in)direct dental experience
bad experience was related to administration, failure or management of failure of LA