One last Numbing Gel Question

[Razzle3]

On my last visit for the completion of the RC, , my dentist at my request, let the qtip with the gel sit up against my gums for a good ten minutes. He saw another patient in the interim and we (dentist and I) think the topical was simply left on too long. I know my gums were starting to be like an overwet sponge. Today's visit (temporary crown) he sort of painted on the topical, waited maybe 10 seconds and then gave me 2 shots, which I very much felt. :/

Is the answer maybe painting followed by leaving qtip for a few minutes? Could that be the answer? On my first visit, the one where I had not yet overcome my fears both of him (the dentist, being there in general, and especially of the shot--so yes, good news is I am still a fan of my dentist), the gel was left in place a few minutes and worked amazingly. I felt nothing. Subsquent visits, I have in varying degrees.

StressDoc kindly explained to me last time, that the gel can be very tricky and needs to be applied/left on just so. The dental nurse this afternoon said maybe next time it needs to be left on longer.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this? Dr. Mike?

Thank you,
Mona

 

[brit]

Numbing Gel

Find out how numbing gel can be used to numb the gums before giving an injection, to numb the skin before using IV sedation, and for dental cleanings.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Our info on standard topical spells out that it has to be left at least 3 minutes. When one of my kids had some treatment, I saw the 'excellent' dentist, time how long he waited, chatting to my child, by the clock on the wall....a dentist has got to want to give anaesthesia comfortably...some just pay 'lip service' to the concept but basically think it varies and comfort cannot be guaranteed.
Giving comfortable LA invariably takes longer (with or without numbing gel) so I think you will need to be assertive about this...5 minutes is probably an optimal time.

My take on it is that the numbing gel primarily stops the insertion of the needle being felt...they are extremely sharp nowadays so that often isn't much of an issue anyway...but the dentist still has to inject very slowly to prevent the stinging sensation in the tissues as the fluid goes in.

TheWand is the only foolproof solution to a dentist who wants to rush the fluid bit since the machine controls the flow completely virtually guaranteeing total comfort even in the palate. Dentists' main gripe with TheWand seems to be that it takes too long..sigh...hello..that's why it's comfortable.

Does any of this make any sense to you based on what happened the second time...how long was spent pushing the fluid in? Did you find the actual insertion of the needle painful the second time?

Found this too, WAYS TO MAXIMISE COMFORT...the slow speed means the fluid going in to an area which is already numb hence no pain:

• New very sharp, very small needle.
• Inject very very slowly prevents the burn of the anesthetic and numbs the area of injection so most of the anesthetic is placed into an already numb area
• Pull and move the oral tissues to distract and stimulate the large pressure nerves to overpower the smaller pain nerves.

 

[Starlight25]

Hi
Im a huge fan of the magic gel and my dentist seems to get this just right i'd say he leaves it on about 2 mins then its fine
emma

 

[brit]

Hi
Im a huge fan of the magic gel and my dentist seems to get this just right i'd say he leaves it on about 2 mins then its fine
emma

Because of the clicking noise you mentioned, I think yours may be using a special delivery system rather than a standard syringe - you'd only know for sure if you looked though!

 

[Razzle3]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate it and if I do need do be numb when I get the permanent crown in a couple weeks (dentist said I probably wouldn't). I'll for sure ask him to leave the qtip for 5 minutes. Maybe paint and then leave, lol, to be "doubly sure" it'll work.

 

[Razzle3]

Re: One (truly last Numbing Gel Question

I had a thought earlier and was wondering if it has any merit to it. Is there a way for the dentist to "tell" that the numbing gel is working? I mean before administering the shot? Honestly my first experience with it when it worked so amazingly well, over a month ago now, was well so long ago in visit-sense that I don't remember much except how grateful I was that it worked. I THINK my gums (must have)? felt heavier or number after a couple minutes? Just thought this might be worth asking before my next and hopefully last visit for a while next week.

Thanks,
Mona