“I understand that injection is the part many patients are afraid of the most. I take my time and inject slowly without rushing, always apply topical anesthesia first and try to be always gentle as much as possible. I also bought this device that shakes the soft tissue, so patients can feel less pain. Please try painless injection at my office.”
– Dr. Huh
For more information about painless injection technology, please click here.
For many people, the most stressful part of a dental appointment isn’t the procedure itself—it’s the injection used to numb the tooth.
Fear of needles can cause children and adults to delay necessary dental treatment. At Rapha Dental, we understand this concern and use techniques designed to make dental injections as comfortable as possible.
One tool we use is DentalVibe, a handheld device that applies gentle vibration near the injection site to help reduce the sensation and discomfort associated with dental injections.
DentalVibe is a device designed to make local anesthetic injections more comfortable.
Before and during the injection, DentalVibe applies gentle vibration to the gum tissue surrounding the injection site.
The vibration provides another sensation for the nervous system to process at the same time as the injection. For some patients, this distraction can make the injection feel less noticeable and more comfortable.
Our nervous system constantly receives sensory information such as pressure, vibration, temperature, and pain.
DentalVibe uses gentle vibration at the injection site while the local anesthetic is being administered. The vibration competes with the sensation produced by the injection and may help reduce how strongly the patient perceives it.
The vibration also provides a physical and audible distraction, which can be particularly helpful for patients who become anxious when they know an injection is coming.
No dentist can guarantee that every injection will be completely painless.
However, there are several ways dentists can make injections considerably more comfortable, including:
Combining these techniques can make a significant difference, especially for patients who have previously had an uncomfortable dental injection.
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For some patients, fear of the injection creates more anxiety than the dental treatment itself. Knowing that an additional comfort measure is being used can help make the experience less intimidating.
DentalVibe can be particularly useful for patients who:
Our goal isn’t simply to complete the procedure. We want patients to become more comfortable receiving dental care over time.
Children can be particularly anxious about dental injections, especially if they have had a negative experience previously.
The vibration and distraction provided by DentalVibe may make the injection less noticeable and help reduce some of the anticipation surrounding the needle.
Every child is different, however, and DentalVibe is only one part of helping younger patients have a comfortable dental experience. Communication, patience, appropriate behavior-management techniques, and creating a calm environment are equally important.
Being afraid of dental injections is understandable, but repeatedly postponing necessary dental care can allow relatively minor problems to become more complicated.
For example, a small cavity that might initially require a filling can become larger over time. If decay reaches the nerve inside the tooth, more extensive treatment such as a root canal or extraction may eventually become necessary.
If fear of needles has been keeping you from seeing a dentist, tell us before treatment. Knowing about your concerns allows us to take additional time and discuss ways to make your visit more comfortable.
DentalVibe isn’t the only option available for anxious dental patients.
Depending on the patient and procedure, Rapha Dental also offers comfort options such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation when appropriate.
Different patients have different levels of anxiety, so the best approach depends on your individual needs, medical history, and the dental treatment being performed.
At Rapha Dental, we believe fear of injections shouldn’t prevent someone from receiving necessary dental care.
Our Cinnaminson dental office uses DentalVibe and other comfort techniques to help make dental treatment easier for patients who are nervous about needles or dental procedures.
Rapha Dental welcomes patients from Cinnaminson, Delran, Willingboro, Riverton, Palmyra, Maple Shade, Moorestown, and surrounding Burlington County communities.
If you’ve been postponing dental treatment because you’re afraid of injections, let us know. We’ll discuss your concerns and the options available to help make your treatment more comfortable.
Request an appointment with Rapha Dental or call (856) 829-8668.
