The Wand is essentially a computer-controlled dental injection. The flow rate of the local anaesthetic is controlled by a computer. This means that the injection is guaranteed to be slow and steady and therefore comfortable.

Even though Milestone Scientific - the manufacturers of the Wand - now call their products CompuDent and STA (Single Tooth Anaesthesia) System, we'll still call it the Wand here - because a lot of people with needle phobia describe it as their "Magic Wand"

Most people who have had a bad experience with injections think that needles sting because the skin is pierced, but this is usually not so.  Most often, the sting is caused because the anaesthetic is delivered too quickly. Obviously, it is possible for the dentist to control the speed with a standard syringe, but the idea of the Wand is to take out the human error. This can be very reassuring for people with previous bad experiences.

The STA or Wand, is a computer controlled local anesthesia delivery system (CCLAD) which allows us to numb a single tooth virtually pain free.

The advantages are tremendous. First, the sensation of the whole side of your face being numb is eliminated; as just the single tooth to be worked on is numb. Second, because of the slow computerized pressure system mode of delivery, the anesthetic can be administered with virtually little or no pain. Third, and maybe most importantly, the sight of the dental syringe is eliminated. A non-threatening hand piece is used to perform the procedure.

The STA system is just another of our innovative techniques utilised here at City Bridge to make your dental visit more comfortable.

What have people on Dental Fear Central's forum said about the Wand?

• "...a little spray to numb the gums then a few minutes slowly injecting small doses of anaesthetic through the computerised outlet system and I did'nt feel a thing!...My fear of needles is now a thing of the past." (from "The Magic Wand").

• "when it comes to the actual fear of needles..well one thing I have found that helps the most with that is a numbing machine called 'the wand'."

• "The wand is a gift from god."