Debunking myths around The Wand, the painless dental anaesthesia system that boosts patient comfort, saves time, and drives practice efficiency for clinicians.
The digital landscape is flooded with health misinformation. Online, anyone can call themselves an ‘expert’, and dentistry faces its own hurdles in dispelling false claims and pseudo-science. Dental practice teams often tackle mixed messages on social media, guiding patients away from quick-fix solutions for toothaches and toward safe, credible and effective dental treatment.
Misconceptions can impact the profession directly, too, occasionally obstructing the broader adoption of newer technologies. Therefore, knowledge sharing is essential not only for patient comprehension but also for practitioner enlightenment on how best to advance patient-centred care. Evidence-based principles are key in dentistry, so any supportive tools or strategies should adhere to the ‘tried and tested’ ideal.
The Wand is a vital adjunct that has emerged to aid in more comfortable dentistry, in particular for those with needle phobia. Dental Sky exclusively distributes the painless computer-assisted dental anaesthesia system, which is “an innovative and multi-award-winning practice builder with a host of tangible benefits that can truly help transform local anaesthetic delivery.”
So, what are these benefits? How does The Wand compare to more traditional methods of anaesthesia? What are the costs? And how can implementing the system save time and benefit a practice’s bottom line?
Here, we explore the myths and facts surrounding this revolutionary technology, featuring insights from those who have already incorporated The Wand into their everyday practice.
Myth: It Takes Too Long
Some private practice owners believe that, as The Wand’s computer-controlled delivery takes longer than traditional methods and leads to lengthier appointments, it contributes to increased chair time.
Firstly, those private practices that incorporate it into their service offerings welcome this slower speed, which allows them to offer painless, targeted and more comfortable dental care.
Nabeel Muhairez, the principal dentist of Hampsteads Dental, a practice in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said, ‘Patients experience a quicker onset of numbness and a faster recovery of sensation after the treatment. The whole process is different from a traditional injection in that all the fear and tension in anticipation of an uncomfortable jab is allayed; this helps foster a build-up of trust with the patient and means they leave relieved and smiling at the end of treatment. Talking about the experience with friends, family, or colleagues often leads to a new enquiry and an explicit reference to ‘You will be using The Wand, won’t you?’”
Additionally, while a slower delivery has its benefits, The Wand is in fact a real time-saver due to its quicker onset of anaesthesia.
The Wand’s single-tooth anaesthesia (STA) takes about one minute and 40 seconds to administer and works immediately. In contrast, a traditional inferior alveolar (IA) block needs seconds for administration but takes eight to 12 minutes to take effect. So, a practice can save 6.5 to 10.5 minutes per procedure, averaging 8.5 minutes saved per appointment. Across six appointments, this equals a gain of 51 minutes daily, allowing treatment of almost one additional patient. Over a five-day week, a practice reclaims four hours and 15 minutes without overtime.
The Wand also provides significant time savings for patients. It promotes faster recovery and helps to reduce or even eliminate collateral numbness, enabling patients to resume daily activities without the inconvenience of a numb face.
Mike Gow, clinical director of the dental anxiety management unit at The Berkeley Clinic in Glasgow, explains, “Using an ID block means waiting for 10 minutes, but The Wand works almost immediately. I can also work bilaterally on molars on either side of the mandible. This is phenomenal when carrying out restorative work in sedation cases. It’s great for veneer and crown preps, too. So, although the patient is fully anaesthetised, there is no numbness to the lip when doing a smile evaluation. The Wand has been revolutionary in my dental practice.”
Fact: Time Is Saved – For Practices And Patients Alike!
A bonus fact is that IA block injections are often ‘missed’ with a traditional syringe. The failure rate ranges from 31 per cent to 41 per cent in mandibular second and first molars to 42 per cent, 38 per cent and 46 per cent in first and second premolars and canines, respectively, and 81 per cent in lateral incisors.
Myth: It Costs Too Much
Many dental professionals believe The Wand is a costly investment with unnecessary ongoing costs due to its single-use handpieces. This misconception may lead them to overlook the system’s broader economic benefits, which can significantly boost production hours.
The Wand STA facilitates bilateral dentistry on the mandible. This allows for fewer patient appointments to be required to complete a treatment plan. For instance, if crowns are necessary on both sides of the mandible, they can be finished in the same number of appointments needed to complete just one crown using more traditional LA methods.
Practices can also enjoy an increase in patient procedures and new referrals. At current price estimates, it would require just two single-crown procedures to pay for the system.
Between an increase in case acceptance rates and new patient referrals, The Wand provides one of the fastest ROI propositions available in dentistry.
Practices may charge for The Wand as an add-on, incorporating handpiece costs into the procedure fee or charging separately. Studies show patients with dental phobia are willing to pay extra for painless injections, making it a profit centre as they seek enhanced comfort and reduced anxiety for patients.
It is also worth noting that a significant portion of the single-use cost is recouped through savings on PPE and local anaesthetic, thereby reducing interruptions and operational overheads.
Using The Wand’s STA system reduces PPE usage from three sets to one, eliminating the need to change gloves, masks and gowns multiple times when moving between patients (for the dental nurse and clinician).
Additionally, less anaesthetic is required – with traditional infiltration or block injections, two carpules can be reduced to one carpule when using P-ASA, AMSA, or STA injections. This not only decreases anaesthetic usage but also lowers costs.
Fact: The Wand’s Cost Is Offset By Its Benefits To Dental Practices
Amit Patel, a specialist in periodontics and implant dentistry at a specialist referral practice in Birmingham, comments, “Some practitioners believe it can be a costly way to administer anaesthetic, but the reality is that it saves time. The main advantage is that the handpiece’s pen-like appearance means it doesn’t look like a traditional syringe, so it isn’t overwhelming for patients. You can use it on a single tooth and full arch anaesthetic stays longer. It requires a simple technique, it’s straightforward for the patient, and it is easy to dispose of, too. The feedback from my patients was very positive, so using it is a no-brainer.”
Conclusion
Debunking myths about The Wand reveals a powerful truth: it is a proven tool that enhances patient comfort and practice efficiency within dentistry. By delivering anaesthesia at a controlled rate below the pain threshold, The Wand ensures a painless experience. This results in smoother procedures, less chair time and higher productivity, leading to greater patient satisfaction, more referrals, reduced waste and improved profitability.
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