Anesthesia applicators/injectors for dental and other applications and methods of use

An apparatus for effecting an intraligamentary injection of a liquid anesthetic into the gingival sulcus proximate a tooth of a dental patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a body having an elongated, thin and generally planar tip, the tip having an atraumatic free end and a passageway extending therethrough terminating at the free end of the tip, the free end of the tip being arranged for producing a substantially fluid-tight interface with anatomic structures at the gingival sulcus;
• and
• an applicator couple with the body and arranged to secure a source of the liquid anesthetic, the applicator being configured to be operated to selectively introduce the liquid anesthetic from the applicator through the passageway through the body and out of the free end of the tip to enter into the gingival sulcus so that it is directed downward along the root of the tooth and is prevented from flowing upward and outward.