What this means in a clinic conversation
Local anesthesia differs from sedation or general anesthesia. A plan may include more than one approach, so clarify the medicines, monitoring and instructions that apply to the visit.
A question to bring
Which numbing or sedating medicines will be used, and what instructions apply afterward?
Open the visit checklist →Related and commonly confused terms
Sources and editorial context
This definition was compiled from the sources below and has not received independent clinical review. It supports understanding and consultation preparation.
- NCI Dictionary: local anesthesia · National Cancer InstituteReference checked 2026-10-02