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Lasers for Pain-free Dentistry

Posted by michael on from the rinse-and-spit dept.

Chris writes "Australian researchers say that frequency-doubling a femtosecond laser is the way to pain-free dentistry. Using two different Ti:sapphire sources it was found that the 400 nm second harmonic gave the best results. Lasers have long been touted as pain-free replacements for the dreaded dentist's drill. However, the hardness of dental tissue has demanded high-energy pulses for drilling. Previous attempts have resulted in unacceptably slow removal of tooth enamel, and have also damaged teeth. These previous efforts caused shock waves, vibrations and also heated up the tooth's softer tissue, causing significant pain to the patient. Because femtosecond pulses are so short, heat conduction effects are virtually eliminated."

6 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Ouch! by operagost · · Score: 5, Funny
    Previous attempts have resulted in unacceptably slow removal of tooth enamel, and have also damaged teeth. These previous efforts caused shock waves, vibrations and also heated up the tooth's softer tissue, causing significant pain to the patient.
    Remind me not to sign up as a guinea pig for any dentistry trials.
    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    1. Re:Ouch! by VikingBerserker · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's exactly why I practice dentistry on myself.

      I've found the most effective solution is to coat my teeth with sodium hydroxide. I'll let it sit or a few minutes, then put on a coat of hydrochloric acid. I'm done in no time at all.

      The best part is that I then have a nice solution of salt water to gargle with. It's a little hot, but I think that actually helps with proper gum care as well.

  2. Oo oo ee e o a? by sam_handelman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dentist: What?
    Patient: I 'ed, doo oo ekek e to tahk!
    Dentist: I can't understand you.
    Patient: Tak jis kra ow o ny nouh.
    Dentist: Oh, okay (removes stuff from patient's mouth.)
    Patient: I said, how do you expect me to talk with this crap in my mouth?
    Dentist: I don't, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die!

    --
    The good and new comes from no quarter where it is looked for, and is always something different from what is expected.
  3. Ozone dentistry by !splut · · Score: 4, Informative

    So this is how Aussies do dentistry. While it's swell and all to be able to painlessly zap a hole in my tooth, it doesn't eliminate the fact that you'd be zapping a hole in my tooth.

    The Brits, on the other hand, have gone for a no-hole approach. They're using a new treatment called Healozone, which involves fitting a rubber cap over the tooth and then smothering it with ozone, which eliminates all the bacteria in a matter of seconds. Painless, and much more cool.

    --

    --
    The angel in the oatmeal.
  4. Next week... by BluBrick · · Score: 4, Funny

    Honest politicians and the paperless office.

    --
    Ahh - My eye!
    The doctor said I'm not supposed to get Slashdot in it!
  5. The Needle?! by Tranvisor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perhaps you forgot, but when you got numbed up, do you remember the huge fucking needle the dentist stuck in your mouth? And he said "Little pinch" and it felt like somebody stabbed you with a dagger in the cheek?

    Lasers == no more big fucking needles

    sounds like an improvement to me