Pain-Free Dentistry in 2025

For many, the thought of visiting the dentist evokes feelings of anxiety or fear. This common apprehension, often termed dental anxiety, affects a significant portion of the population. However, advancements in dental technology and patient care have revolutionised the dental experience, making pain-free dentistry a reality for many.

While there used to be a time when dentists earned a bad reputation for their methods, thankfully, this has changed in recent times. With the development of pain-free dentistry, going to the dentist has never been easier or stress-free.

What Is Pain-Free Dentistry?

Dental anxiety is more prevalent than one might think. Studies indicate that approximately 9–15% of individuals worldwide experience dental fear or anxiety. In New Zealand, a similar trend is observed, with many individuals postponing dental visits due to fear of pain or past negative experiences.

Common triggers for dental anxiety include:

• Fear of Pain: Anticipation of discomfort during procedures.
• Needle Phobia: Anxiety related to injections or needles.
• Previous Negative Experiences: Past dental visits that were painful or distressing.
• Fear of Loss of Control: Feeling vulnerable during treatment.

Addressing these concerns is crucial for improving patient comfort and ensuring timely dental care.

Modern Pain-Free Dentistry Techniques

The Use of Anaesthetic Gel

A topical anaesthetic gel is a local anaesthetic used to numb a specific, small area of your body. In the case of dentistry, it is applied to your gums before injections. This helps ease the initial sting of the needle before the injected local anaesthetic starts working. We now also offer flavoured gels to make the experience even more pleasant!

Prescription of Mild Oral Sedatives

A mild oral sedative is a popular option for patients wanting a pain-free dental experience. The exact application differs from patient to patient. It often involves the patient taking a prescribed sedative in the form of a pill or liquid in the hours leading up to the procedure. We carefully assess each patient’s medical history and anxiety levels to determine the most appropriate sedative and dosage.

One of the key benefits of this method is that it is easy to administer. It doesn’t involve needles, which is perfect for those with a needle phobia.

While you may feel drowsy after taking the sedative, you remain awake for the procedure. This means you can still listen to and interact with your dentist throughout. Finally, all prescribed oral sedation is Medsafe-approved. This means it has been subjected to rigorous testing and is safe to use.

Injection of Local Anaesthetic

The team here at Hamilton Dental Centre generally uses Lidocaine as a local anaesthetic. We have also introduced articaine as an alternative for patients who may have sensitivities to lidocaine or require a longer duration of numbness. Once injected into the gum, it causes loss of feeling and eliminates pain during procedures. The numbness can last from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the dose.

To further minimise discomfort, we utilise slow-flow injection techniques and pre-warming of the anaesthetic.

Use of Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Entonox is the brand name for nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. The use of laughing gas during a procedure is less common, but it can be very effective if a patient has anxiety or a low pain tolerance. We’ve also invested in aromatherapy diffusers in the treatment rooms to further enhance the relaxing effect of nitrous oxide.

The Future of Pain-Free Dentistry

The Wand® Computer-Assisted Anesthesia

The Wand® is a state-of-the-art system that delivers local anaesthesia in a controlled and precise manner. Unlike traditional syringes, The Wand® resembles a pen, reducing the visual anxiety associated with needles. Its computer-controlled delivery ensures a slow and steady flow of anaesthetic, minimising discomfort and the typical numb feeling.

At Hamilton Dental Centre, we are currently looking at how this can be introduced to our suite of pain-free dentistry options and hope to introduce this to the practice.

A Prescription for Pain Medication Following the Procedure

Having a dental procedure can be a significant experience for patients. The thought of pain alone is often a common reason for people postponing their visit to the dentist. Even if urgent attention is needed, people worry about the potential pain of the treatment. Unfortunately, this delay can often make the problem worse. This generally means patients need a bigger dental procedure than if they’d addressed it promptly.

Our dentists do their very best to ensure you have the best possible experience while in our care and after your dental procedure. That’s why we often prescribe pain medication for patients who may need it following a procedure. This gives our patients peace of mind that their pain will continue to be managed in the days following their procedure.

We also provide detailed post-operative instructions and are available for follow-up calls to address any concerns.

How Hamilton Dental Centre Can Help with Pain-Free Dentistry

As you can read, the team here at Hamilton Dental Centre have excellent measures in place to offer the most pain-free dental service possible. If you are outside the Hamilton region, simply Google ‘pain-free dentist near me’ to find a clinic that will suit your needs.

We are proud of our ethos of care and treat each patient as an individual. Both Dr Dave and Dr Bashar take pride in reducing anxiety, keeping patients relaxed, and making sure everyone leaves with a smile.

If you or the person you are supporting has had a bad experience at the dentist, don’t hesitate to let our staff know. We will do everything we can to replace any negative associations with much more positive ones!

If pain – or the thought of it – has been holding you back, book an appointment today and ask about our pain-free dentistry methods.

Book an appointment online or call us on 07 854 8905.

Patient Testimonials

“This is a review as someone who has had a fear of dentists. Every time I visit Dr Blom and the amazing team there, the fear lessened each time. They are incredibly kind, they tell you exactly what is happening, what to expect and to tell them if anything is hurting or uncomfortable. They even have TV screens up above the chair to help with distraction. If you are scared of the dentist, I HIGHLY recommend coming here, and letting them know you are scared and they will be so very kind! I can say that I don’t have that fear anymore and have booked in another appointment with no worries. Book in with them even if you are scared – you can do it!”
— Illan Frost, August 2024

“I’m another person who had bad experiences of dental treatment as a child, and avoided them as much as possible in adulthood. For many years my good oral hygiene habit kept me free from trouble. But when I had to visit Hamilton Dental recently for a painful tooth I was terrified to see the amount of work that was needed. 3 caps for cracking teeth and a few amalgam fillings to be replaced. I had all this work done in one long session (my choice). It was a revelation!! The only discomfort was very mild, when the local began to wear off while the caps were being made, and this was quickly fixed with a top up. There was conversation and laughter – things I had not associated with visits to the dentist. And a phone call the day after to check I was ok. Many thanks to Dr Bashar Humadi and his amazing team.”
— Anita Leslie, August 2024

“Great service, friendly receptionists. Did a fabulous job of removing my wisdom teeth. Didn’t feel any pain. Can assure you’ll be in great care under Dr Bashar.”
— Jack Farmer, May 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are pain-free dental treatments safe?

Yes, all pain-free dental treatments offered at Hamilton Dental Centre are safe and Medsafe-approved. We ensure that each method is appropriate for the patient’s health and anxiety levels.

How do I know which pain management option is right for me?

During your consultation, our team will assess your medical history, anxiety levels, and the specific dental procedure to recommend the most suitable pain management option.

Will I be completely numb after treatment?

The goal is to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. Depending on the treatment, some numbness may persist briefly after the procedure, but this typically resolves quickly.

Can I drive after receiving sedation?

If you’ve received oral sedatives or nitrous oxide, it’s advisable to arrange for someone to drive you home, as these can impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.

How can I overcome my fear of the dentist?

Open communication is key. Letting our team know about your fears allows us to tailor your treatment experience to ensure maximum comfort and address any concerns you may have.

Don’t let fear or anxiety prevent you from seeking the dental care you deserve. Contact Hamilton Dental Centre today to learn more about our pain-free dentistry options and schedule your consultation.

Post last updated 3 September 2025