Expelliarmus! …no, it’s not that kind of wand. But, for people suffering from dental phobia, this wand is also pretty magical. Dental phobia can be crippling and can even cause such distress in its sufferers that they let their teeth fall into disrepair. Sadly, for some, ‘dental phobia’ can just be an umbrella term for numerous fears that revolve around dentistry, making it hard to tackle. One such sub-fear is the fear of injections, often stemming from that short sharp pain provided by a syringe. What most people don’t know is that the syringe itself isn’t what causes this pain; it is that the syringe’s contents are being delivered too quickly or with a bit too much force. Thankfully, with the wand, this side-effect can be a thing of the past!
What is the wand exactly?
Essentially, the wand is a computer controlled injection system. The flow of the anaesthetic it injects is controlled by a computer and kept at a steady pace, thus removing the human error that can cause pain during injections.
What is so great about it?
Technically the wand’s manufacturers now call it the CompuDent and STA (Single Tooth Anesthesia) System, but it is often referred to colloquially as the wand by patients on account of how effect it is – it’s like magic! Visually, it also looks more like a pen attached to a space-age toaster. It looks non-threatening and studies have found it to be less anxiety inducing than other methods of injection (Kudo et al, 2001). Administration of an anaesthetic via the wand can also reduce the amount of unnecessary numbness in the lips, face, cheek and tongue which can cause discomfort for a few hours after treatment.
Injection method!? So, is there still a needle?
Yes, but it is a small one and it guarantees no pain. If you experience fright at the sight of a needle you need not worry, you’ll hardly be able to see it.
Do all dentists have this?
No, but at Liverpool Dental Spa we do! If you suffer from dental anxiety, please talk to us. We will do everything we can to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Tags: dental phobia, dental phobia Liverpool, liverpool, Sedation
