Procedures
Local anesthesia
Also called numbing, freezing, novocaine
Medicine injected near a tooth so the area is numb during treatment while the patient stays awake.
Local anesthesia numbs only the part of the mouth being treated. The dentist usually applies a numbing gel and then injects the medicine. The patient stays awake and aware. Numbness lasts a few hours after the visit, so patients should avoid chewing hot foods or biting their cheek or lip until it wears off. Remind them of this at checkout, especially children.
Example at the front desk
I reminded the mother not to let him chew until the numbness is gone.