Adjunct Sedation
How does Neuro Stimulation work?
Your body has many different types of sensory nerves, each with their own specific job. Sensory nerves sense pain, pressure, temperature, vibration, strain etc. They have fancy names like C-fibers and A-Delta etc., which tells you that there is some real physiology behind this simplest of techniques. It turns out that this technique is like a sensory system “red herring”. By stimulating the pressure sensing nerves, you can mute or overload the transmission of the pain sensing nerves. For instance, if your dentist pinches, wiggles or vibrates your cheek during an injection you will rarely feel the injection! This works extremely well in the majority of dental guests.
How much does Neuro Stimulation cost?
Not many things in life are free but this is one of them.
Why doesn’t everyone use this technique?
Most dentists and primary care physicians do use this technique. Everyone can remember getting a vaccine shot in the shoulder. You bare your shoulder, the nurse cleans the site with an alcohol gauze, then she forcefully pinches your muscle between her thumb and index finger, and swiftly injects the vaccine. This technique is an example of Neuro Stimulation
Are there products that do this for you?
Yes. There are a few products that take advantage of this technique. The “Wand” (which is used at Stanley Dentistry) has a pulsation. Others induce vibrations directly on the syringe. There are various extra oral vibration devices.
What is Topical?
Topical is a numbing gel that is placed on your gums with a cotton swab. After a couple of minutes in contact with your gums, the area will become numb. This significantly reduces any discomfort you might feel during the injection. Topical, like other disposable costs, is not billed to the patient.
If Topical is so great why do I even need an injection?
Topical only numbs the gums. For a limited number of dental procedures that may be sufficient. However, for most procedures like filings, bonding, crowns, implants, and root canals you will want a more pronounced anesthesia that is accomplished with an injection.
Is Topical called anything else?
Yes, topical goes by different trade names like Topicale and Hurricaine, and can be referred to as topical anesthetic.
How does Topical work?
Topical is a gel with 20% Benzocaine as its active ingredient. Topical is an ester based anesthetic and is one of the only esters still being used in dentistry. Benzocaine is in the same family as Novocaine. In today’s dentistry, novocaine, as an injection, has been replaced with Lidocaine.
