Novocaine is a powerful way to control any discomfort that a person in the dentist's chair might feel. But, not everyone wants to use Novocaine. Whether you have a medical issue that prevents you from being able to use Novocaine or you simply don't want unnecessary medication, you may be pleased to know that not all fillings need Novocaine. Here's what determines if you do.

Pain Sensors

The first thing to understand is that teeth sense pain a little differently than the rest of the body. For example, both your teeth and your fingers have nerve endings in them. These nerve endings allow your brain to send signals and also to receive signals, like pain indications when you touch something too hot or bite into something too hot.

However, unlike your fingers, the nerve endings aren't present throughout the entire tooth. The majority of them reside in the dental pulp, which is much deeper into the tooth. While your nerve endings extend all the way to the fingertips, it's not the same way for your teeth. This is why most of the time if you take a mild bump on a tooth or bite down on something too hard, it rarely hurts or only creates more than a mild bit of discomfort.

How Far the Cavity Has Penetrated

Since you don't have nerve endings throughout the entire tooth, it is theoretically possible for you to have a cavity drilled and filled without the need for Novocaine. It will ultimately depend upon how far your cavity has progressed, however. If you went to the dentist's office not knowing you had a problem and were informed that you had a small cavity, your chances of being able to go without Novocaine are higher. But if you've been experiencing pain or discomfort for a while now because of the cavity, it's likely already penetrated to the pulp and going without Novocaine would be a very bad idea.

Ultimately, your dentist can decide whether or not it's feasible for you to go without Novocaine. They'll be able to do this by using dental X-rays to determine how deeply the cavity has gone into the tooth. If it's a shallow cavity, you'll be able to proceed without Novocaine. Just keep in mind that if you feel even the slightest bit of pressure or discomfort, you need to let your dentist know right away so that they don't keep going and end up making it worse.

Look at more info to learn more about dental fillings.