How Long Does Dental Numbing Last?
Last edited, 18 November 2024
If you’ve ever received anesthetics at your dentist, you’ve most likely experienced dental numbing. Understanding how long it lasts and the factors that influence its duration can significantly impact your comfort as the anesthesia wears off.
In this guide, our dental specialists will answer the question “How long does dental numbing last?” and explain the key factors that affect the length of numbing, providing an overview of how long the numbing lasts depending on the agent used.
Types of Dental Numbing Agents And How Long They Last
Dental numbing, also known as local anesthesia, is a technique used by dentists to block pain during procedures. It involves the injection or application of anesthetic agents to numb the area being treated, allowing patients to undergo dental work without discomfort. This procedure is commonly used for fillings, dental implants, root canals, and other treatments, ensuring a pain-free experience while keeping the patient awake and alert.
When you undergo a dental procedure, your dentist may use different types of numbing agents, each with unique properties that determine how long the numbness will last.
Understanding the differences between these numbing agents can help you know what to expect regarding the duration of numbness after your dental visit.
Topical Anesthetics
Before injecting a local anesthetic, dentists may apply a topical anaesthetic to numb the surface area of the gums. While this numbing effect is short-lived—usually lasting just around 5-15 minutes—it reduces the initial discomfort from the injection.
Local Anesthetics
Local anesthetics are the most frequently used agents for dental numbing. These medications temporarily block the nerve signals in a specific area, providing pain relief during treatment.
Examples of common local anesthetics include:
- Lidocaine: One of the most widely used local anesthetics in dentistry, lidocaine typically provides dental numbness for about 1–2 hours.
- Articaine: Known for its rapid onset and powerful numbing effect, articaine is often used for more involved dental procedures and can last slightly longer than lidocaine.
- Mepivacaine: A short-acting local anesthetic that typically provides dental numbness for 1–2 hours, making it ideal for minor procedures like cavity fillings.
- Bupivacaine: This anesthetic is used when longer-lasting numbness is needed, as it can provide pain relief for 4–6 hours after the procedure.
Epinephrine-Enhanced Solutions: For Long and Extra Long Anesthetics
Some local anesthetics are combined with epinephrine, a medication that helps constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow in the numbed area. This keeps the anesthetic concentrated where it’s needed and can extend its effects, making it ideal for procedures requiring prolonged numbness.
How long does it take for dental anesthesia to wear off?
| Type of Local Anesthetic | Typical Duration of Numbing | Description & Common Treatment Types |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Anesthetic (e.g., Benzocaine) | 5–15 minutes | Applied to the surface of the gums before injections; used for comfort during injections or superficial gum treatments. |
| Lidocaine | 1–2 hours | Standard anesthetic for routine procedures like fillings and minor gum treatments. |
| Mepivacaine | 1–2 hours | Often used for shorter procedures like cavity fillings; wears off faster without epinephrine. |
| Lidocaine with Epinephrine | 2–4 hours | Ideal for longer procedures such as deep fillings, root canals, and crown preparations; epinephrine extends duration. |
| Articaine | 2–3 hours | Preferred for complex procedures or where deeper anesthesia is needed, such as root canals and extractions. |
| Bupivacaine | 4–6 hours | Long-lasting anesthetic used for surgeries, including wisdom tooth extractions, to provide extended pain relief. |
| Bupivacaine with Epinephrine | 6–8 hours or longer | Chosen for lengthy or more invasive surgeries (e.g., jaw surgeries) to manage post-operative pain; epinephrine further extends duration. |
Lingering Dental Numbing
As seen in the chart , different types of anesthetics wear off at varying speeds. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the numbness disappears the moment the anesthetic wears off.
Lingering dental numbing is the extended sensation of numbness or lack of feeling in areas like the lips, tongue, cheeks, or face that can last for several hours after your procedure. While this temporary sensation is normal, it can be inconvenient when trying to resume regular activities.
- Duration: After dental numbing, your lips, face, and tongue may remain numb for an additional 3 to 5 hours, depending on the anesthetic used.
- Challenge: This can make it difficult to eat, drink, or speak comfortably if you’re resuming activities soon after your appointment.
- Tip: Plan light activities and avoid hot food or drinks until sensation fully returns to avoid accidental injuries.
Factors Affecting How Long Dental Numbing Lasts
Several factors can influence how long dental numbing lasts beyond the type of anesthetic used. Understanding these variables can help explain why some people experience numbness longer than others.
Type of Procedure
More complex or invasive dental procedures, like root canals, dental bridge placements or tooth extractions, often require a higher dose of anesthetic or a longer-lasting agent to manage pain effectively. This can extend the duration of numbness compared to less invasive treatments, like cavity fillings.
Individual Sensitivity and Metabolism
Each person’s body processes anesthetics differently. Factors such as metabolism, age, and overall health play a role in how quickly the body absorbs and breaks down the anesthetic. People with faster metabolisms may notice the numbing effects wear off sooner, while those with slower metabolisms may experience prolonged numbness.
Dosage and Concentration of the Anesthetic
Higher doses and more concentrated anesthetic solutions tend to produce longer-lasting numbness. For procedures that need extended pain relief, dentists may use a larger dose to ensure the patient remains comfortable throughout.
Location of the Injection
The location of the injection site in the mouth also plays a significant role. For instance, numbing injections in the lower jaw, which contains denser bone, often last longer than those in the upper jaw. Similarly, injections near larger nerves, such as those in the back of the mouth, may result in extended numbness because of the concentration of nerve endings in these areas.
Health Conditions and Medications
Certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney disorders, can affect how the body processes anesthetics. Additionally, some medications may interact with local anesthetics, either prolonging or shortening the numbing effect. It’s important to inform the dentist of any medications or health conditions to allow for appropriate adjustments.
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What if the Dental Numbness Doesn’t Wear off? When to Be Concerned
In most cases, dental numbness wears off within a few hours. However, if you notice numbness lasting much longer than expected or experience other unusual symptoms, it may be a sign to contact your dentist.
Here are some instances where prolonged numbness or discomfort could indicate an underlying issue:
- Numbness Lasting Longer Than Expected: While some anesthetics can provide extended numbness, it’s important to follow the expected duration your dentist provides. If the numbness persists longer than what was discussed, it’s a good idea to reach out to your dentist to address any concerns.
- Tingling, Swelling, or Changes in Sensation: Tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling that doesn’t go away, swelling, or changes in the sensation of the numbed area could indicate irritation or pressure on the nerves. These symptoms may be temporary, but it’s worth checking with your dentist if they persist.
- Pain or Discomfort in the Numbed Area: While some soreness after a procedure is normal, intense or persistent pain may be a sign of complications like infection, dry socket (if you’ve had an extraction), or an adverse reaction to the anesthetic. If pain increases after the numbness fades or doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers, reach out to your dentist for an evaluation.
- Difficulty in Controlling Mouth Movements: Prolonged difficulty in moving your mouth, lips, or tongue beyond what’s typical after a procedure may warrant further investigation. This could indicate lingering effects of the anesthetic or, in very rare cases, nerve impact.
- Allergic Reactions: Although rare, allergic reactions to anesthetics can occur, causing symptoms such as itching, rash, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after receiving anesthetic, seek immediate medical attention.
While the majority of prolonged numbness resolve on their own, it’s always better to reach out to your dentist for guidance if you have concerns.
Wrapping Up: What You Need to Know About the Lenght of Dental Numbing
Dental numbing is an essential tool for making dental procedures more comfortable and pain-free. While the numbing effect is temporary, its duration depends on several factors, including the type of anesthetic used, the procedure performed, and individual differences in metabolism and sensitivity. Generally, you can expect the numbness to last anywhere from one to several hours, with some agents providing longer relief for more complex treatments.
By understanding how long the effects may last and what can influence them, you can feel more prepared and informed about your treatment. With the information provided here, we hope you have a better idea of what to expect from dental numbing, helping you to feel more at ease during and after your visit to the dentist.
As the #1 destination for dental treatments in Turkey, our experts are happy to answer any concerns you may have regarding dental numbing before, during, or after your procedure. Feel free to contact us with any questions to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience.
FAQ
While there’s no instant way to “reverse” numbing, a few strategies may help. Staying hydrated, gently massaging the area (if safe to do so), or applying a warm compress can help increase circulation, potentially assisting the anesthetic to wear off a bit faster. Some dentists also offer a reversal agent called phentolamine mesylate that can help numbness wear off more quickly, though this isn’t always available or necessary.
Yes, it’s common for numbing effects to vary based on the type of procedure, the anesthetic used, and even your body’s response on a given day. Factors such as the location of the injection, your metabolism, and any additional medications can all contribute to differences in numbness duration between visits.
Children’s numbing effects often wear off more quickly due to their higher metabolic rates, though the exact duration varies by individual. Dentists also tend to use lower doses for children, which can shorten the numbing time. However, it’s important to supervise children closely until sensation returns, as they’re more likely to accidentally bite or injure a numb area.
It’s normal to experience some tingling, itching, or “pins and needles” as the anesthetic wears off, as these sensations are part of the nerves regaining function. This should fade within a few minutes to an hour as full sensation returns. If the odd sensation persists beyond this period, consult your dentist.
Dental numbing after a filling typically lasts 1–2 hours. However, the numbness can extend to 3–4 hours if a longer-acting anesthetic is used.
Lidocaine usually wears off within 1–2 hours after a dental procedure. When combined with epinephrine to extend its effects, the numbness can last 2–4 hours.
After a tooth extraction, the effects of dental anesthetic typically last 2–5 hours, depending on the type of anesthetic used. For longer-lasting options like bupivacaine, the numbness may persist for 6–8 hours or more to help manage post-operative pain.
Local anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal typically lasts 2–4 hours, depending on the type of anesthetic used. If a long-acting anesthetic like bupivacaine is used, the numbness may last up to 6–8 hours or longer to help manage post-operative pain.
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Sources & expertise
We have used the following sources to compile this page:
National Library of Medicine: Efficacy of dental local anesthetics: A review
Pubmed: Local Anesthesia Techniques in Dentistry and Oral Surgery
Pubmed: Local anesthesia in oral and maxillofacial surgery: A review of current opinion
SciELO: Evaluation of lidocaine and mepivacaine for inferior third molar surgery
Information checked by an expert
Alona Arel
The information on this page is checked by Alona Arel. She’s an expert on beauty and longevity and often asked to share her knowledge. For example for Healthline and Lifehacker.
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