For many common dental procedures the dentist will administer a local anaesthetic before surgery begins. This local anaesthetic will render the area around the surgery site (local area) numb and the patient will remain awake and free from pain throughout the operation.
The anaesthetic is administered in the following manner:
– The site is dried using cotton swabs or air
– A numbing gel is applied
– The local anaesthetic is slowly injected
After about five minutes the patient “should no longer feel pain” and the dentist proceeds to work on the teeth or gums. More detailed information on the use and effects of local anaesthetics can be found at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321880.php.