If you’ve had routine dental treatment – some fillings, or root canal therapy perhaps – you are likely to have been given local anaesthetic. For many people, this was the most unpleasant part of the whole dental experience – after all, once you were numb, you wouldn’t feel any pain from treatment. But the injection itself often came with an irritating “bee sting” feeling that would last a little while before numbness kicked in.
Even if you managed to avoid – or to tolerate – the bee sting sensation, once your treatment was complete you may well have left the dental surgery feeling as if someone had given you a fat lip.
The effects of local anaesthetic would last for a good few hours after your crown or filling was placed, or your root canal cleaned. During that time, you could expect to experience a numb tongue and/or lips. Eating or drinking was a risky business – you would wait for your coffee to go tepid to ensure that it didn’t burn your numbed tissues, only for half of it to dribble down your shirt as you tried to negotiate your numbness.
Trying to eat anything was a definite no-no. If you did try to have any food, it could prove very difficult to chew, and when the local anaesthetic eventually wore off while you would have no pain or discomfort from your treated tooth, you might find that you’ve been inadvertently chewing your tongue or lips instead of your lunch.
Now, this can be a thing of the past. At Smilecraft in Stevenage we use The Wand, a pain-free injection system that not only gets rid of the bee sting effect by removing the margin for human error, but also has the capability to deliver targeted anaesthetic, so that only the relevant tooth or teeth are numbed.
The Wand looks like a pen and is connected to a computer, which controls the delivery of your anaesthetic. That way, once your treatment is finish you can stroll out of the surgery with a mended tooth and no bothersome numbness – not to mention the ability to drink your well-deserved coffee.

Now, thanks to The Wand, pain-free dentistry is a reality. We use The Wand as a matter of routine at
If you are unhappy with the alignment of your smile, perhaps too embarrassed to smile in photographs or covering your smile with your hand in business meetings or social situations, read on to discover how Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces could change your life. Your journey begins with a consultation here at our Stevenage dental practice. . .
More and more adults are turning to cosmetic bracesto improve the position of their teeth. Whilst these are referred to as cosmetic treatments, you shouldn’t ignore the health benefits of teeth straightening treatments. Generally speaking, straighter teeth are healthier teeth, because with fewer gaps for particles of food to get trapped and plaque bacteria to build up, they are easier to keep clean, and your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease are significantly reduced.
An increasing number of adults are turning to cosmetic orthodontic treatments such as Six Month Smiles to correct alignment issues with their teeth. For a long time, adults who dreamed of straighter teeth found themselves in a quandary: whilst the desire for beautifully aligned teeth was strong, the thought of wearing traditional metal train-track style braces was enough to make them balk, and often enough to stop them from seeking treatment altogether.
What are Six Month Smiles?
At our Stevenagedental surgery, we have found that many adults want to straighten their teeth, but equally have no desire to wear obvious metal braces. It’s not difficult to see why glaringly obvious metal appliances are incompatible with a hectic adult lifestyle. That’s why we are pleased to offer an alternative.
Six Month Smiles: thoroughly modern braces
What are Six Month Smiles?
Orthodontic treatment is pretty standard for children and teenagers, but an increasing number of adults are seeking teeth straightening help too. The main problem for many adults in need of treatment is that they picture traditional metal train-track braces. In the 21st Century these are not the only option; there are now a number of more discreet ways a dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth.