“What are the disadvantages of dental anesthesia?”

The risk or benefits of the anesthesia are the same as with anesthesia in an operating room. The disadvantages are that an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist is not there in the dental office to assist or control the anesthesia. That means that often times the Dentist or oral surgeon is doing everything. They are doing the dental procedure and the anesthesia, which sometimes can be a lot to handle. They are typically trained to do this but there are times when an extra pair of hands is needed or helpful.

Normally in medicine we talk about risks, benefits, and alternatives in considering treatment plans. The obvious question is whether dental work can be adequately done with or without anesthesia. Local anesthetics are quite safe in usual doses in experienced hands. Dentists are well trained in using local anesthetics. If you are given sedation, you may be asked to not drive or operate heavy machinery for a prolonged period of time (usually 24 hours). Your judgment and decision making may be impaired until whatever sedative medication you received has been metabolized

For local, none. But if you have general anesthesia, it carries all the risks. There is nothing really specific to dental anesthesia.

IV sedation can be advantageous to patients with significant anxiety or susceptibility to pain during dental work. If the dental office offers IV sedation, I would recommend being certain that an anesthesiologist deliver it while your vital signs are carefully monitored. The dentist will likely supplement with injection of local anesthetic for post-procedure pain control.

Every procedure has risks vs. benefits, adding anesthesia is no different. If a person is otherwise healthy having sedation and/or a general anesthetic has minimal risks especially with a competent provider. The advantage is that it makes the procedure seem shorter and much more pleasant. If you are having deep sedation or a full general anesthetic safety is added by having a dedicated provider for that portion vs the proceduralist doing both.