Q: Is there new dental technology that reduces pain and discomfort from injections?
A: There is now a computerized dental injection system that is proven effective to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with injections. A study was made to test its effectivity. 80% of the respondents said that the wand has made injecting anesthetics, a painless experience.
The wand looks like a pen. It uses a very thin needle. Before the needle penetrates the gums, anesthetic is dropped in the gums to numb the area. As the needle is inserted into the gum, mor3 and more anesthesia is released until it is fully inserted. Because of this new procedure, the patient can no longer feel the prick or the burning sensation. Patients don’t need to go through the discomfort of having to feel the pressure of anesthesia as it is being released in the gums. Ask your dentist if they have the wand available and if this can be used the next time you will need a dental procedure. Don’t forget to ask how much it would cost you so you can prepare for the fee.
Q: How can tooth decay be detected early on?
A: Dentists use a caries detection dye if they think the tooth is damaged. Through the color, the dentist can see where exactly the damage is and how bad it is. The fee for this service may be different among dentists.
Q: Are there new ways of preventing tooth decay?
A: New preventive care treatments are being studied right now. According to research, there is treatment that could prevent bacteria from developing in the teeth. They are still studying Caries vaccine. According to their study, there is an antibody called CaroRX which comes from genetically-altered plants. If this is applied on the teeth, it can prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth. However, the manufacturer Planet Biotechnology is still working on getting approval from FDA so it can be distributed soon.
Q: What is an intraoral camera?
A: It’s a small camera that the dentist inserts in your mouth so they can see what is inside your mouth. The video is connected to a monitor so you can also see what your dentist sees through the camera.
Q: How are intraoral cameras used?
A: They are very useful in terms of diagnosis and patient education. Through intraoral cameras, the dentist can see what may be the problem inside your mouth and they could make more accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment or care that is necessary. The image can be viewed on a monitor so you as patient can understand what your dentist is saying about your dental condition and why his suggested treatment is necessary.
