Editing Local anesthetic (section)

===Localized side effects===
Edema of tongue, pharynx and larynx may develop as a side effect of local anesthesia. This could be caused by a variety of reasons including trauma during injection, infection, an allergic reaction, haematoma or injection of irritating solutions such as cold-sterilization solutions. Usually there is tissue swelling at the point of injection. This is due to puncturing of the vein which allows the blood to flow into loose tissues in the surrounding area. Blanching of the tissues in the area where the local anesthetic is deposited is also common. This gives the area a white appearance as the blood flow is prevented due to vasoconstriction of arteries in the area. The vasoconstriction stimulus gradually wears off and subsequently the tissue returns to normal in less than two hours.<ref name="P. 2016">{{Cite book|title=Manual of local anaesthesia in dentistry. | vauthors = Chitre AP |date=2016|publisher=Jaypee Brothers Medical P|isbn=978-9352501984|location=[Place of publication not identified] |oclc=930829770}}</ref>

The side effects of inferior alveolar nerve block include feeling tense, clenching of the fists and moaning.<ref name="worldcat.org">{{Cite book|title=Successful local anesthesia for restorative dentistry and endodontics| vauthors = Reader A, Nusstein J, Drum M |date=12 September 2014|isbn=9780867156157|location=Chicago|oclc=892911544}}</ref>

The duration of soft tissue anesthesia is longer than pulpal anesthesia and is often associated with difficulty eating, drinking and speaking.<ref name="worldcat.org"/>

====Risks====
The risk of temporary or permanent nerve damage varies between different locations and types of [[nerve block]]s.<ref name="RoyalCol">{{Cite journal|journal=Risks Associated with Your Anesthetic|title=Nerve damage associated with peripheral nerve block|volume=Section 12|date=January 2006|url=http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/docs/nerve-peripheral.pdf|access-date=2007-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009110706/http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/docs/nerve-peripheral.pdf|archive-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There is risk of accidental damage to local blood vessels during injection of the local anesthetic solution. This is referred to as [[Hematoma|haematoma]] and could result in pain, [[trismus]], swelling and/or discolouration of the region. The density of tissues surrounding the injured vessels is an important factor for haematoma. There is greatest chance of this occurring in a posterior superior alveolar nerve block or in a pterygomandibular block.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Giving local anesthesia to patients with liver disease can have significant consequences. Thorough evaluation of the disease should be carried out to assess potential risk to the patient as in significant liver dysfunction, the half-life of amide local anesthetic agents may be drastically increased thus increasing the risk of overdose.

Local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors may be administered to pregnant patients however it is very important to be extra cautious when giving a pregnant patient any type of drug. Lidocaine can be safely used but bupivacaine and mepivacaine should be avoided.  Consultation with the obstetrician is vital before administering any type of local anesthetic to a pregnant patient.<ref name="P. 2016"/>

====Recovery====
Permanent nerve damage after a peripheral nerve block is rare. Symptoms are likely to resolve within a few weeks. The vast majority of those affected (92–97%) recover within four to six weeks; 99% of these people have recovered within a year. An estimated one in 5,000 to 30,000 nerve blocks results in some degree of permanent persistent nerve damage.<ref name="RoyalCol"/>

Symptoms may continue to improve for up to 18 months following injury.