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Local anesthesia is the most commonly used type of anesthesia in dentistry because it effectively numbs a specific area of the mouth where dental procedures will be performed, allowing patients to remain awake and alert while ensuring comfort during treatment. The use of local anesthesia is convenient for both the patient and the dentist, as it allows for quick recovery without the lingering effects of sedation.

General anesthesia, while sometimes necessary for extensive surgical procedures or for patients with extreme anxiety, is not typically employed for routine dental work due to its more complex requirements and the potential risks involved. Deep sedation also falls into a similar category, often requiring more monitoring and recovery time, making it less common for standard dental procedures. Topical anesthesia provides surface numbness but is limited in its effectiveness for procedures that involve deeper tissues, thus it is usually used in conjunction with local anesthesia rather than as the primary method.