National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Are anesthetic solutions effective for patients with a tooth or soft tissue infection?

1. True

2. False

3. Only for soft tissue infection

4. Only for tooth infection

The correct answer is: False

Anesthetic solutions are typically less effective for patients who have a tooth or soft tissue infection due to factors related to the pH of the tissue and the presence of inflammation. When there is an infection, the pH in the affected area tends to be more acidic. Local anesthetics, which work by blocking nerve conduction, function optimally at a neutral pH level. The acidic environment can lead to ionization of the anesthetic, rendering it less effective and making it challenging to achieve adequate pain control. In addition, the presence of inflammation can alter tissue vascularity, which may lead to a more rapid absorption of the anesthetic away from the target area, further diminishing its effectiveness. Therefore, when considering the effectiveness of anesthetics in infected tissues, it becomes clear that they do not provide the desired level of anesthesia in such conditions, making the statement that anesthetic solutions are effective in the presence of tooth or soft tissue infections false.