As doctors, we are supposed to do everything we can to prevent pain. So, why is that patients are still experiencing pain with injectable fillers? Here’s the thing – fillers don’t have to hurt and we are here to explain why. For years, dermal fillers like Juvéderm, Radiesse, and Belotero have been used to fill deep wrinkles around the face. In recent years, they have even been approved for volumizing areas of the face. The increase in availability to other areas has allowed fillers to become a more popular alternative to facial rejuvenation surgeries. With this rise in popularity, a reoccurring theme has been voiced by some patients, “Filler injections hurt.” But this just doesn’t have to be the case.
Dental Blocks Before Injections
The injection of numbing medicine like lidocaine/xylocaine into the mouth is known as a dental block. This is a treatment that dentists use before they perform their dental procedure to make their patient comfortable. The same dental block can be used on patients before injecting fillers into their face.
No Pain, No Gain? Not True
The effect is the numbing of the entire middle part of the face where fillers are used. With the injection of the numbing medicine being much less painful than the actual injection of the filler, the likelihood of the patient experiencing any pain with the filler treatment is…zero. No pain at all. When routinely placing these blocks while working around the mouth, patients are surprised at how pleasant the experience is compared to having it done without it. The use of ice to both help with numbing and to decrease the risk of bruising with fillers is also a technique to help make the patient more comfortable. If you are contemplating having fillers placed in your lips or smile-lines, a quick dental block (aka nerve block) with a qualified physician can make the experience nearly painless. Contact Us
