“Is anaesthesia required for a root canal?”

A root canal usually does not require a general anesthetic. It can be done safely under a nerve block. Talk to your dentist about it.

Local, not general anesthesia. Wouldn't want to have that without anything to numb the gums

Root canals can usually be performed under local injection by your oral surgeon or dentist

Hello.

Yes, it is completely safe to have another anesthetic. Occasionally, a patient has to undergo two anesthetics in the same day, and even that is safe with modern anesthetic techniques.

Good question, Anesthesia is the process by which unpleasantness associated with medical and surgical procedures can be lessened. Pain is the one that usually comes to mind, but, of course, there are many others (claustrophobia, anxiety, fear, boredom, difficulty breathing, gagging, and so on). There are two broad classes, general anesthesia, where unconsciousness is generated to eliminate awareness of the unpleasantness, and local anesthesia, where a drug (local anesthetic) is injected (usually) to block signals of the unpleasantness getting to the brain. Local anesthetic may be combined with sedative drugs to lower anxiety and lessen awareness of the unpleasantness.

It is considered quite safe to have multiple anesthetics (local or general) in the same year. For root canal, a local anesthetic might be the first choice, but consult your dental surgeon to see which will be best for you both.

Cheers.


Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Gaylord Wardell

BSc.,MD,FRCP(C), Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Certificate of American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 2012
Certificate in Pain Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 2016

Medical Director
Sante SurgiCentre and Wardell Centre for Chronic Pain Disease
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Phone: 403-580-3545 Fax: 403-580-3546

Absolutely safe. Don't worry. The anesthesia for root canal is typically a combined local anesthetic and intravenous medication.

It’s not whether you get more than one anesthetic a year but circumstances surrounding the Anesthesia. Pregnant women and women who just had a baby have a higher risk for Anesthesia due to physiological changes. These changes include, but not limited to hormone changes, increased acidity of the stomach and changes of cardiac and lung circulation. These changes do not return to normal until 6 to 12 weeks after giving birth.

That's fine. You should not worry about that.

Typically if in good health and no contraindications, anesthesia is okay. Most root canals can be done with local anesthesia, so sedatives or other anesthesia is typically not needed. If breastfeeding, please inform your doctor beforehand to ensure if they request to withhold breastfeeding for a day or two after anesthesia.