The Wand® in Chevy Chase, MD
Nervous about needles, but in need of local anesthesia before your dental treatment? Experience comfortable local anesthesia delivery with The Wand® at Smiles of Chevy Chase.
Comfortable, Gentle Dental Numbing Without the Stress of Traditional Shots
If you’ve ever felt nervous about dental injections, you’re not alone. For many patients, the fear of a numbing shot is one of the biggest reasons they avoid necessary dental care. At Smiles of Chevy Chase, we believe dentistry should feel calm, comfortable, and stress-free—especially when it comes to anesthesia.
That’s why we proudly offer The Wand® computerized local anesthesia system, a modern alternative to traditional dental injections. With The Wand, patients experience a smoother, more precise, and often virtually painless numbing process before procedures like fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Our Chevy Chase dental team welcomes patients from throughout the area, including Bethesda, Somerset, Forest Hills, Friendship Heights, Rockville, and Washington, DC. Call our Chevy Chase dental office today at (301) 652-0656 to learn more or request The Wand for your visit.
What Is The Wand® Computerized Local Anesthesia?
The Wand® by Milestone Scientific is an advanced dental anesthesia delivery system designed to improve comfort and reduce anxiety.
Unlike traditional syringes, The Wand uses computer-controlled technology to deliver anesthesia in a slow, steady, gentle flow. This helps eliminate the sudden pressure and discomfort many people associate with numbing shots.
The Wand allows your Chevy Chase dentist, Dr. Despina Markogiannakis, to numb the area more precisely—often with:
- Less discomfort
- Less tissue irritation
- Less lingering numbness
- A calmer overall experience
For patients in Chevy Chase and Bethesda who struggle with dental fear, this technology can be truly life-changing.
Why Local Anesthesia Matters in Comfortable Dentistry
Local anesthesia is one of the most important tools in modern dental care. It allows dental procedures to be performed safely and comfortably by temporarily blocking pain signals from the nerves in the treatment area.
Local anesthesia is commonly used for:
- Cavities and dental fillings
- Dental crown preparation
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extractions
- Gum disease treatment
- Dental implants
At Smiles of Chevy Chase, our priority is ensuring you feel relaxed and supported before, during, and after your procedure.
Why Patients Prefer The Wand Over Traditional Dental Injections
The Wand is especially beneficial for patients who:
- Have dental anxiety or phobia
- Fear needles or injections
- Have had painful numbing experiences in the past
- Want less facial numbness after treatment
- Prefer modern, patient-focused dentistry
Benefits of The Wand
Benefits of The Wand® include:
- Enhanced comfort during numbing
- Virtually painless anesthesia delivery
- Fewer injections are needed in many cases
- More precise numbing of only the treatment area
- Reduced numbness in lips, cheeks, and tongue
- Excellent option for children and teens
Many patients tell us the Wand makes dental care feel far more manageable.
What to Expect During Your Visit with The Wand®
Many patients in Chevy Chase and Bethesda ask what the Wand feels like and how the numbing process works. The good news is that it’s designed to be gentle, controlled, and far more comfortable than traditional injections.
Here’s what you can expect when we use the Wand® computerized local anesthesia system at Smiles of Chevy Chase:
Before delivering any anesthetic, your dentist will apply a topical numbing gel to the gums near the treatment area.
This helps:
- Reduce sensitivity at the surface
- Prevent discomfort right from the start
- Make the experience feel smoother and less stressful
Your dentist will also select the appropriate disposable tip for the handpiece, ensuring everything is clean, safe, and precise.
Next, the Wand’s computerized system allows your dentist to customize the anesthesia delivery based on your needs.
Using the system’s interface, your dentist carefully sets:
- The flow rate of the anesthetic
- The total dosage
- The exact location being treated
This technology gives far more control than a traditional syringe, helping numb only the intended area while maximizing comfort.
Once everything is ready, the numbing medication is delivered in a slow, steady, controlled way.
The Wand gently administers anesthetic beneath the gums using micro-streams, rather than sudden pressure.
Patients often notice:
- A mild vibration sensation
- Little to no sharp “sting.”
- A calmer, more gradual numbing process
Because the medication is delivered slowly and evenly, the area becomes comfortably numb without overwhelming pressure.
The biggest advantage of The Wand is that it provides precise numbing exactly where it’s needed.
That means:
- Less numbness in the lips, cheeks, and tongue
- Faster comfort onset
- A smoother experience during fillings, crowns, or other treatments
Our team will check in with you throughout the process to ensure you feel relaxed, safe, and fully comfortable before beginning treatment.
Why Choose Smiles of Chevy Chase for Comfortable Dental Care?
Choosing the right dentist is about more than technology—it’s about trust, experience, and feeling genuinely cared for. At Smiles of Chevy Chase, we’ve built our practice around compassionate, modern dentistry designed for patient comfort.
Experienced, Gentle Dental Team
Led by Dr. Despina Markogiannakis, our team is committed to providing high-quality dental care with a calming approach, especially for anxious patients.
Advanced Technology for Better Experiences
We invest in modern tools like The Wand because we believe patients deserve dentistry that feels as stress-free as possible.
Personalized Care for Every Patient
We take time to understand your needs, including, past dental experiences, anxiety triggers, medical conditions or allergies, sensitivity to anesthesia, and treatment goals.
Serving Chevy Chase and Nearby Communities
Conveniently located in Chevy Chase, we proudly serve patients from Bethesda, Somerset, Forest Hills, Friendship Heights, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Washington, DC. We want every patient to feel confident, comfortable, and supported from the moment they walk in.
After Your Procedure: What Happens When Numbness Wears Off?
Local anesthesia typically wears off gradually over a few hours. During that time, you may experience:
- Temporary numbness
- Tingling as sensation returns
- Mild difficulty chewing on one side
We’ll provide complete aftercare instructions so you feel prepared and comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Wand hurt less than a regular numbing shot?
Yes. The Wand is designed to deliver anesthesia more gently, which greatly reduces the discomfort and pressure many patients feel with traditional injections.
Is The Wand a good option for patients with dental anxiety?
Absolutely. Many patients in Chevy Chase choose The Wand specifically because it helps reduce anxiety around injections and makes dental treatment feel more manageable.
Can I request the Wand for my dental procedure?
Yes. If you’re scheduling a dental filling, dental crown, or other dental treatment, just let our team know you’d like The Wand anesthesia.
Does The Wand completely eliminate needles?
In many cases, yes. The Wand replaces traditional syringes for most routine treatments. Some complex dental procedures may still require additional anesthesia for full comfort.
Is The Wand safe for children and teens?
Yes. The Wand is often an excellent choice for pediatric patients because it feels less intimidating and more comfortable than traditional injections.
Is The Wand covered by dental insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover anesthesia as part of your dental procedure. Our team can review your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs.
Schedule Comfortable Dental Care with The Wand® in Chevy Chase
You deserve dental care that feels comfortable, modern, and anxiety-free. At Smiles of Chevy Chase, the Wand® computerized anesthesia system allows us to provide gentle numbing and a more relaxed experience for patients throughout Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and the Washington, DC area. Call our dental practice in Chevy Chase today at (301) 652-0656 to schedule your visit or ask about The Wand.