1. ORAL ANESTHESIA:
USAGE, ALLERGIES, AND ITS
EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
BY
MATTHEW JUSTIN HERNANDEZ
BA, Binghamton University, 2014
MASTER’S PROJECT
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Arts in Biological Sciences
in the Graduate School of
Binghamton University
State University of New York
2015

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Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Arts in Biological Sciences
in the Graduate School of
Binghamton University
State University of New York
2015
May 15, 2015
_________________________________________
Dr. Sandra D. Michael
Faculty Advisor
Department of Biological Sciences
Binghamton University

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ABSTRACT
The field of dentistry is extremely important in supporting the optimal health of
people in all cultures. A lack of knowledge on the subject has led numerous people to
study it more rigorously and has led to the advancement of forms of technology
associated with dentistry and dental surgery. Oral anesthesia has become one of the most
researched areas of dentistry because of numerous effects associated with it. This review
project delves into the details behind the origins of oral healthcare, the creation and
involvement of local anesthesia, dangers involved in anesthesia’s application, its effects
on the immune system, case studies involving unique medical conditions associated with
higher risks of allergy development to tools used in oral surgery, and alternative methods
of achieving analgesic effects. By reviewing the fundamentals of neuron structure and
function a more detailed approach can be made in the study of oral anesthesia
application. Taking a closer look at the responses of the immune system and common
allergens found in a dental office dentists can reduce many of the risks associated with
severe allergic reactions making their offices safer for practice on patients of a wider
variety of health conditions. By using each of the aforementioned aspects of dentistry,
safer and more optimal practice in dental offices can be achieved.

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this paper to my wife, Naoko, who so lovingly supported me
throughout our education together in college. With her help I am able to clearly see my
future goals and can achieve them with her by my side. Without her emotional support I
would be lost before I could even make it this far.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A Brief Introduction of Dental Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What is Anesthesia? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation . . . . . . . . . . 6
A Study of Anxiety and Pre-Anesthetic Analgesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Practical Applications of Local Anesthesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Epinephrine’s Role in Anesthesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Neuronal Function and Signaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Allergies to Anesthesia: A Case Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
The True Role of Histamines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Allergies to Office Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Danger Involving Injections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Pains After Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
An Alternative to Drilling: The Papyrus based Gel. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56