Scaling Ask The Dentist Questions about Deep Scaling Dental Health Library

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FAQ: Scaling

Question:
Scaling Cleaning: I have been going to a dentist for a couple of years now and it's very painful. He does not seem to have a gentle touch with the novacine. I had braces for 5 years and have a bad regard for dentists in general. I'm looking for a painless alternative for a deep cleaning or scaling. I have bad gums but could not stand to have my gums cut surgically. I have had scaling before and had good results but did not maintain cleanings and have slid back to the receding gums state. Please let me know if there is a painless alternative. ... Visitor from IL

Answer:
Painless dentistry can be a challenge, but much discomfort can be eliminated in giving novacaine injections. You may want to inform your dentist that you find the injections painful and ask if he would take more care with you.

When I give an injection I always place a topical anesthetic ointment with a Q-tip on the injection site before inserting the needle. I use as small a diameter needle as possible, 30 gauge, and inject the anesthetic fluid very slowly.

Even if I follow up with a larger diameter needle after that, much discomfort is avoided and in many instances the injection is not felt by the patient. Some patients may require nitrous oxide or anti-anxiety medication in addition to this "less pain technique" I have just described.

Michael Fromm, DMD

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