Why do dentists have to use those huge, metal syringes?

Question

Why can't they use small ones like at the doctors offices? I swear I think it hurts worse just because of the fact that they are so scary looking.

Answer 1

LOL, I agree. The lidocaine they use comes in carpules and this is the type of syringe they need to use. The carpule screws into the body of the syringe.

Answer 2

Metal Syringes

Answer 3

The small ones just aren't big enough to reach the areas that will anesthetize the area.... think about it: if you need stitches on your arm, you get 'the needle' at the site of the wound.

If you need a filling (or extraction, etc...) on a tooth on your lower jaw, the injection site is all the way in the back of your mouth, behind the flesh that's behind your last tooth.. it's quite a difference in distance.

Between the lenght of the carpule, which houses the anesthetic, and the needle itself, you need a larger syringe.... but the gage (width) of the needles are the same as the ones in med offices....they just 'look' bigger.

Also, the metal syringes are sterilized after each use, while the ones in med offices are tossed away into a Sharps Container.

If you don't look, it won't hurt as much, but if you think about the BIG needle, your brain will accomodate the fear that you have.... it's mind over matter.

Answer 4

Fun part of the job is to see you scare...

the fun part is when they push it you go back at a point your head is stock and you cant go back anymore lol...

Answer 5

because all they do every day is smell peoples breath and they wanna scare you so that they don't have see you again

Answer 6

they have to reach a long way into the back of your mouth. if you don't like the way they look then don't look.