Are novocain (procaine) injections at the dentist painful?

Novocaine: Should not be, as u are first given local anesthetic on site of injection before the novocaine.

Sometimes: We would love to be able to always give patients painless injections. Most often the pain is minimal. Depending on the type of injection and where it is given, some hurt more than others. Your dentist should use topical anesthetics to pre-numb the site and careful technique to minimize discomfort.

Minimal: I have many patients that fear this, and most are surprised when they are done, admitting they are not that bad. There are several locations to get injections. Some are more uncomfortable than others, but usually the worst ones last 1-2 seconds. Good technique, topical anesthetic, and warming the temperature of the anesthetic are all ways to make injections as comfortable as possible.

If your: dentist applies Benzocaine before the needle you shouldn't feel it except possibly deeper but very briefly