Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. This definition is widely accepted worldwide by medical practitioners, medical professionals, and public health representatives. The use of local anesthesia allows dental manipulations to be performed painlessly, reversibly blocking the conduction of sensory nerves. Complications related to local anesthesia are an important aspect in dental surgery.
The purpose of this literature review is to study the complications associated with the use of local anesthesia in maxillofacial surgery, as well as to investigate methods and procedures for the successful treatment of these complications. This review presents the largest scientific studies conducted in search of the definition of the most common complications and their treatment, since the safety and effectiveness of local anesthesia in dental operations are key aspects in achieving positive results and meeting the needs of patients. Various complications have been identified, including allergic reactions, hematomas, infections, and nerve damage. Regional analgesia is too important to be denied to patients based on a dubious allergic history. Often, adverse reactions can be directly related to the pharmacological properties of the agents involved. The dentist must adequately distinguish these reactions from those that are directly related to allergic phenomena. For the comprehensive management of patients with an allergic history, it is necessary to take into account the importance, as well as the limitations of intradermal skin tests. Most studies have confirmed the relative safety and effectiveness of local anesthesia, but some risks have been noted that require special attention when planning and performing surgical procedures.
