June 15, 2025

Hello, my dear friends. Today we’re going to talk about local anesthesia—something that can either be a good experience or a very bad one, depending on how it’s done.

My name is Dr. Dmitry Gorbatov. I’ve been practicing cosmetic and holistic dentistry for more than 30 years, right here on South Ocean Drive in Hollywood, Florida.

Why Do Patients Avoid the Dentist?

When I meet new patients and ask, “When was the last time you went to the dentist?” I often hear answers like two years ago, five years ago, or even longer. When I ask why it’s been so long, many say they had a terrible experience with local anesthesia.

They describe sharp pain during the injection, difficulty getting numb, or lingering pain and bruising for days afterward. It’s clear that anesthesia is one of the most feared procedures in dentistry—and often the reason people avoid dental care altogether.

How Local Anesthesia Should Be Done

Here are a few professional tips to ensure anesthesia is delivered as comfortably as possible. This is exactly how we do it in our clinic:

• 1. Apply Topical Anesthetic Properly: A topical gel should be applied to the injection site and left for 2–3 minutes. Many dentists apply it for just a few seconds, which is not enough for it to work effectively.
• 2. Correct Injection Site: The anesthetic must be placed precisely, depending on the area that needs to be numbed. Proper anatomical technique matters.
• 3. Slow Injection Is Key: Contrary to what most people think, it’s not the needle that causes pain—it’s the speed of the injection. We take 2–3 minutes per injection, delivering it very slowly so our patients feel virtually nothing.
• 4. Take the Time: In our practice, it may take 15–20 minutes just to give the anesthesia, and we allow another 10–15 minutes for it to take full effect. There’s no rushing the process.
• 5. Personalize for Pain Tolerance: Everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Some patients require more anesthetic, while others need less. We always listen to the patient and adjust accordingly.

The Result? A Comfortable, Fear-Free Experience

When local anesthesia is done with care and patience, you feel nothing. Most of our new patients who were previously terrified of dental injections walk out saying, “That was amazing—thank you for taking the time.”

And here’s a tip you can take with you: next time you’re at a dental office, don’t hesitate to ask, “Please inject slowly so I won’t feel it.” It really does make all the difference.

Ready to Experience Comfortable Dentistry?

If you’ve been avoiding dental visits because of a bad experience with anesthesia, we invite you to come see us. At Gorbatov Dentistry, we take the time to do it right—because your comfort matters.

Thank you very much for your attention. Please subscribe to our channel for more tips and insights, and have a wonderful day!