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Plasma Needle to Replace Dentist's Drill

dylanduck writes "From the New Scientist Tech article: "Sticking a needle with a flaming plasma tip into your mouth may not at first strike you as much of an improvement on conventional dentistry. However, the plasma needle, which is cold and painless to the touch, could be just the panacea we have been waiting for.""

15 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. Jesus Christ... by vishbar · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was scared to go to the dentist BEFORE they had lightsabers...

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  2. I have one question: by Vengeance · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is it safe?

    *turns on plasma needle*

    Is... it... safe?

    --
    It was a joke! When you give me that look it was a joke.
  3. Re:Isn't "Panacea" derogatory? by MindStalker · · Score: 4, Funny

    Except I read it as Pancreas the first few times over.

  4. I don't care what they claim. by blcamp · · Score: 3, Funny


    It's the DENTIST.

    It's a NEEDLE.

    It's not normal to have needles stuck into your MOUTH.

    Therefore... it's still going to friggin' HURT.

    --
    The problem with socialism is that they always run out of other people's money. - Margaret Thatcher
  5. Re:Maybe a little better..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Of course, I don't plan on having any more cavities, so..."

    I do. I plan on having like 80 cavities before they just rip out my teeth and put in dentures.

    "Go easy on the soda", fark you Mr. Dentist man. You go easy on controlling my life.

  6. Re:Maybe a little better..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Read that as "... reservations about having a pink tip stuck into my mouth, I guess I'd be willing to give it a go."

  7. key factor by bitt3n · · Score: 4, Funny

    sure the plasma needle sounds better than the drill *in principle*, but the article fails to mention key factors, namely: what's the reload time and how much ammo can you carry?

  8. Re:Maybe a little better..... by neuro.slug · · Score: 2, Funny
    WTF? You put something thats hard and vibrates on your teeth and tell me it doesn't hurt.

    And if you can't find such an object, I'm such a GNAA troll can help you out...

    *rimshot*

  9. Re:Mmm... by davidc · · Score: 2, Funny

    the taste of burning flesh from the laser's cauterizing

    Yummm, hamburger! And its July 4th tomorrow :-)

  10. Re:Most important question: by Kelbear · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just reading this comment sent a chill up my spine.

    God I hate going to the dentist...and I think I'm about due for another check-up.*sigh*

  11. Re:Incomplete Summary by Fred_A · · Score: 2, Funny
    It does use Nitric Oxide to function however, which is poisonous to inhale.
    Note to self: Do not sniff the plasma needle.
    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  12. Yes, it's totally safe, with one caveat.. by deathcow · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just don't cross the beams.

  13. Re:Maybe a little better..... by yet+another+coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I know. Fake teeth exist, yet they want you using your own teeth like a sucker.

  14. Re:Isn't "Panacea" derogatory? by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not in my mouth, please.

    --
    ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  15. first thought by ocie · · Score: 2, Funny

    room temperature fourth state of matter?!?!? I'm sure my first thought would be "how can I stick this in my mouth?" too.

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    JET Program: see Japan, meet intere