|
After more than a quarter of a century of
practicing high quality, high technical, advanced
dentistry, I still get a charge out of doing something
that is very simple and very basic. I love to be
able to give my patients a painless injection. I
think I get more response to this procedure than
anything else I do.
How many of us are frightened to death of getting a
shot? Many. I see it every day. Maybe
you're one of those people who avoid necessary dental
work just because you can't stand the thought of being
injected.
Fears from past dental experiences live on and on and
are hard to get over. Some people never do.
It's a real shame. I know how much these fears
impact the oral health of a large percentage of people
who really need to have some dentistry done. They
just can't get over the thought of a painful injection
in their mouth.
I myself have had painful experiences with
injections. One time I had an injury to my elbow
that required an injection of cortisone. The first
doctor I went to was very careful and I barely felt
it. Great! The injury reoccurred some years
later and I needed another shot. I saw a different
doctor to give me the same medicine. He was abrupt
and in a hurry and jabbed the needle right to the bone
without any hesitation. I just about went through
the roof! What a difference a doctor's care
makes. I made the decision then and there that I
was going to keep my patients from ever having to
experience what I just went through.
It became an obsession with me. I tried many
different techniques and had some success.
Eventually, I felt I could give a good injection but not
what I would call totally painless.
Then one day I came across new information in a
technical newsletter that made sense to me. A new
anesthetic had just come out and the beauty of it
was it had a neutral ph. I had learned almost all
the others have an acid ph which causes the burn we feel
when it's injected.
I was thrilled (and so was my patient) when I tried
out this new anesthetic. It worked
beautifully! I now use it every time I give an
injection. Every single time without fail.
This anesthetic also makes the area numb very
quickly. Then, after the area is totally numb from
the neutral ph type, I use one of the regular types of
anesthetic. The two together are a very profound
and effective combination.
I also use the smallest gauge needle made.
Compared to what I used in my early days of practice
they are extremely skinny. These tiny little
needles make a huge difference in how the patient feels
it. In fact, they are so thin, I use magnification
glasses to see where I am injecting. Plus, I want
to make absolutely sure I stay away from any blood
vessels, as this is a source of discomfort if you hit
one.
In addition, one of the biggest sources of injection
discomfort is when the dentist places the needle to its
full depth and then injects quickly. Ouch! I
only place the tip of the needle just barely under the
tissue (about one to two millimeters) and immediately
start to very slowly inject the neutral ph
anesthetic. I slowly advance the needle only after
the surrounding area is already numb. This way you
won't feel it at all! My patients always comment
on how comfortable this technique is. Or they will
ask "Why did it used to hurt when other dentists gave me
shots?"
I reply that shots still do hurt if given the regular
way.
My patients also are very impressed when I have to
numb an area such as right up front where it is very
sensitive. In that case, I begin the numbing
process by injecting a little to the side where it's not
so touchy. After that part is numb and the
anesthetic has spread out I move closer to the
front. That way the numbness spreads into the
sensitive area and is already numb so it doesn't
hurt.
After every injection I make a habit of asking my
patient how they did with their shot. They always
respond in a positive way. This gives me a chance
to discuss the technique with them if they are
interested.
So, the secrets of a painless injection start with
the neutral ph anesthetic. Then the skinny needle,
followed by a very slow rate of delivery. Knowing
where to inject is extremely critical and the care given
to avoid painful, sensitive areas is so important.
I know how much my patients appreciate this extra
care and attention to avoid pain and discomfort.
They tell me so. It's great satisfaction to me
personally in knowing I have done something for my
patients that is above and beyond what they are used
to.
In the end it all comes down to: Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you. I know how
much I would appreciate it if I had it done for me.
Dr. D. Scott Trettenero,
DDS
239-344-7210 | 
