Numbing from a dentist, caused by local anesthesia, typically lasts between 1 to 5 hours, depending on several factors such as the type of anesthetic used, the dosage, the procedure, and individual patient characteristics.
- Short-acting local anesthetics usually numb the area for about 1 to 3 hours.
- Long-acting anesthetics can last from 2 to 5 hours.
- Extra long-acting anesthetics (like bupivacaine) may provide numbness for up to 8 hours, often used for procedures like tooth extractions to control pain afterward
For example, lidocaine, a common anesthetic, typically causes numbness for 2 to 3 hours, while articaine may wear off a bit sooner, and bupivacaine can last significantly longer, up to 8 hours
. The numbness usually affects the tooth area for 2-3 hours and the lips and tongue for 3-5 hours, gradually fading as blood flow metabolizes the anesthetic
. Factors influencing the duration include:
- Type and amount of anesthetic used
- Injection site (areas with denser bone or larger nerves may prolong numbness)
- Use of vasoconstrictors in the anesthetic, which slow absorption
- Individual metabolism, age, and health (faster metabolism may shorten numbness)
In summary, expect numbness to last generally between 1 to 5 hours, with some cases lasting up to 8 hours depending on the anesthetic and procedure performed.
