An adhesive patch, the first lidocaine delivery system of its kind, is applied directly to a patient's gums for at least 40 minutes of numbness, enough for minor procedures without a needle. Laser drills can clear cavities without the noise of a conventional tooth drill and with less pain for some patients. Electronic anesthesia sends a current into the jaw without the lingering numbness that leaves one fumbling to communicate. Future lasers could clean teeth without all of the scraping, drilling and anesthesia. Dentists' comments during treatment and X-rays can be loaded onto a computer disk and sent to the patient's insurance company.
Patients keep a copy to better understand and follow treatment recommendations.
An estimated 40 million people are so apprehensive of routine dental treatment they postpone or avoid dental visits altogether. The big benefit of new technologies could be an easier time and better experience at the dentist, resulting in more frequent trips and better dental hygiene. Such practices could mean lower dental bills, even lower insurance costs. These new technologies are expensive now, but prices are expected to drop. Non-technical communication is one of the most important aspects of a dental visit.