Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed
Gentler Freezing in London, Ontario
For many people, the needle is the part of a dental visit they dread most. And after treatment, a numb lip, cheek and tongue for hours can make it hard to talk, eat or go back to work.
At Lunar Smile Dentistry we use Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA), a computer-controlled system that delivers freezing slowly and precisely. It’s designed to make the injection more comfortable and, for many treatments, to numb just the tooth we’re working on.
How STA is different
With a traditional dental syringe, the speed and pressure of the injection depend on the person’s hand. Pushing anesthetic in too quickly is what makes many injections sting.
STA uses a computer to control the flow:
- A slow, steady flow at a pressure the tissue can absorb comfortably
- Real-time pressure feedback, which helps us place the anesthetic in exactly the right spot
- A light, pen-like handpiece instead of a syringe, which many patients find less intimidating
Benefits
- A more comfortable injection. Most people feel little more than a slight pinch.
- Freezing just one tooth. For many single-tooth procedures, STA can numb the tooth through the gum right next to it, without numbing your whole lip, cheek and half of your tongue.
- Less lingering numbness. Without a numb lip or tongue, you can usually talk, eat and drink normally soon after your visit.
- Several teeth in one visit. Because only the treated teeth are numbed, we can sometimes work on both sides of the mouth in one appointment.
- Good for children, who are less likely to chew their numb lip or cheek afterwards.
Which treatments it’s used for
STA can be used for most routine dental work, including:
- tooth-coloured fillings
- crowns and bonding
- scaling and root planing for sensitive gums
- root canals and extractions, sometimes alongside traditional freezing
For larger treatments involving several teeth, or some lower back teeth, a traditional “block” injection may still be the best way to get you fully numb. Your comfort comes first, and we’ll explain which method we’re using and why.
What to expect
- We may apply a numbing gel to the gum first.
- We place the handpiece next to the tooth. The computer starts the flow very slowly.
- You’ll feel slight pressure as the area numbs over a minute or two.
- We check that the tooth is numb before starting treatment.
- After treatment, the numbness usually wears off sooner than with traditional freezing, depending on the technique we used.
Ideal for nervous patients
If injections have been a bad experience for you before, tell us. Combined with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a virtual reality headset, STA can make a visit feel very different. For deeper anxiety, see our sedation options.
Cost
Freezing is part of the treatment you’re having, such as a filling or crown, and we tell you the cost before we start. Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association fee guide, and we bill your insurance or the Canadian Dental Care Plan directly where we can.
Book a visit
Putting off a filling because of the needle? Book online or call 226-884-2573 and ask about STA. We’re open six days a week, with evening appointments until 9 pm on weekdays.