Anesthesia Wand

Everybody has slightly different tolerances for discomfort, particularly when it comes to dental treatment. For some people, a slight local numbing agent will do the trick. For others, being knocked out is necessary due to dental phobia; but, the majority of people are somewhere in the middle. They want to avoid pain as much as possible, and they will gladly accept anesthetic.

That’s easier said than done, though, considering that many dental offices still administer anesthesia with a syringe. Traditional syringes have been in use since around 1920, and most patients aren’t crazy about them. For starters, they can look fairly intimidating. Add that to the fact that they can be somewhat awkward to use, and injecting anesthesia into oral tissue can be tricky due to the bulkiness and clumsy holding position. Additionally, having anesthesia injected into your mouth is almost always uncomfortable. The sensation you feel isn’t due to the needle, it’s actually the flow of the anesthetic as it travels into your gum tissue. It’s no surprise that patients become apprehensive, causing them to be reluctant to visit the dentist.

So does this mean that you have to resign yourself to feeling the uncomfortable pinch of the needle during your next dental treatment? Not necessarily! Dr. Santos and staff can utilize the anesthesia wand if needed.

How does it work?

The Wand sprays a constant stream of anesthetic, so the free nerve endings in your gums will continually be numb. Using computer controls, the Wand can be programmed to dispense the right dose in a slow, controlled flow rate. This allows anesthesia to flow into the tooth with ease. The computer’s microprocessor automatically adjusts the injection pressure for different tissue densities, maintaining a constant, and comfortable flow of anesthesia. This is important because the culprit with most injection anxiety is discomfort from anesthetic being injected too quickly.

What are some advantages of using an anesthesia wand?

• One of the most important advantages is that it doesn’t look threatening, as it eliminates the initial anxiety upon seeing a syringe.
• It can be used in conjunction with other conscious sedation methods (i.e. nitrous oxide) for a more comfortable treatment.
• It provides virtually painless local anesthetic (lidocaine) for all routine dental treatments including root canals, crowns, fillings, and cleanings.
• With the wand, you will receive a more consistent and comfortable local anesthetic (lidocaine), especially in more sensitive areas such as the front of your mouth or in your palate (roof of your mouth) where tissue is less elastic.
• Due to the wand’s pen-like grasp, it is easier to handle, rotate, and accurately glide into precise, hard-to-reach places to deliver anesthetics.
• Last but not least, many people who previously experienced a fear of injections are able to overcome their fear after the first use. This provides them with a better, less stressful dental experience.

With the Wand, Dr. Santos can provide you with just the right amount of anesthetic for your procedure, while feeling virtually nothing. Make an appointment if you’re ready to have the most comfortable dental experience you’ve ever had. We’re on the move to make our office the most painless dentistry possible.