This is not your Grandma's Novacaine

Dentistry: Both the scientific and the artistic practice of dentistry have changed dramatically over the last 3 decades. In fact, many of the concepts and procedures that I was taught 30 years ago are but a fading memory. Most new graduates would never consider using the methods I was taught just 3 decades ago in dental school. Crowns can now be made in just an hour, in the office, thus eliminating the need for temporary restorations. And these crowns are not just faster, they are more beautiful and very often stronger and longer lasting than crowns made in an off-site dental laboratory. So with these advanced techniques and equipment so commonplace in many dental offices, why is it that patients still very often have the same fear of dentists and our procedures that they did back then? Well, it often comes down to just one thing: PAIN! 

Patients are afraid because they associate dental care with pain. Pain unfortunately has been something all too common in dental care throughout our history. The good news is that this does not have to be that way. Advancements in dental anesthesia, or pain control, have caught up with our modern methods, and now the pain is rarely a problem during dental procedures. 

Novacaine, the most common term that patients use for the shots involved at the dentist is now very rarely utilized in the modern dental office. Allergic reactions and other complications from its use have driven researchers to come up with more advanced dental anesthetics that have fewer side effects, and complications and yet can be seamlessly introduced to the dental office with very little extra training involved. 

The use of septocaine and bupivacaine are examples of modern dental anesthetics that can be selected to provide the dentist with better, faster, longer-acting pain control so the dentist can focus on better technique rather than worry about the patient experiencing discomfort. 

Septocaine or Articaine the trade name of Septo is an outstanding choice because it is faster acting, and more deeply anesthetizes the area due to its ability to penetrate the bone and tissues surrounding the area to be treated. It is so effective that it is extremely uncommon for a dentist to have to stop and give more anesthetic because that patient's numbness has worn off. Bupivacaine is highly effective, and it is a very long-acting anesthetic that allows procedures such as extractions and other surgery to be performed painlessly, and then continue acting for many hours so the patient can go home and rest without pain. Now you can have such surgery, then stop by the pharmacy, get a prescription and return home to take the medicine long before the anesthetic begins losing its effectiveness, thus allowing the medicine to begin to control post-operative discomfort. 

Continuing education, a requirement for all dental licensees allows dentists to remain up-to-date with this and other advancements in Dental care. So don't be surprised when your next dental procedure turns out to be easy -breezy and painless. Our profession continues to advance on all fronts, with the goal always the same. To provide our patients with comfortable, beautiful, and longer-lasting dentistry and change the view of patients about what to expect with a visit to the dentist.