National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What type of anesthetic is primarily used in dental procedures?

1. General anesthetic

2. Local anesthetic

3. Topical anesthetic

4. None anesthetic

The correct answer is: Local anesthetic

Local anesthetic is primarily used in dental procedures because it effectively numbs a specific area of the mouth while the patient remains fully conscious and able to communicate with the dental team. This type of anesthetic works by blocking the transmission of pain signals from the nerves in the targeted area to the brain, allowing for pain-free treatment of individual teeth, gums, or surrounding tissues. Using local anesthetics provides several advantages in dentistry. It minimizes patient discomfort during procedures such as fillings, extractions, or root canals, and allows dentists to perform necessary treatments while the patient feels calm and aware. Local anesthetics can be administered via injection or as a topical application in some cases, but their primary role is to effectively numb localized areas. General anesthetics, while useful for extensive surgical procedures or when a patient requires sedation beyond what is achievable with local anesthetics, are not typically used for routine dental work due to their potential risks and the need for more intensive monitoring. Topical anesthetics are also used, but they primarily serve as a preliminary measure to reduce sensitivity before injecting local anesthetics rather than replacing them entirely. Therefore, local anesthetics are the most common choice for dental procedures given their effectiveness and safety profile in performing various dental treatments.