A 2018 survey revealed that about 85% of Australians get anxious whenever they go for complex dental procedures. The statistics should be taken seriously because dental anxiety is arguably the number one reason Australians do not go for regular dental checkups. Most people point out that the fear is caused by the pain associated with some dental procedures. Luckily, dentists are taking matters into their own hands and have developed pain-free dentistry. It is making patients' dental fears a thing of the past, and the concept is quite simple: eliminate as much pain as possible. This article highlights vital pain-free dentistry techniques that dentists are using today. 

Laser Dentistry

Although the use of laser technology in dental practice dates back three decades, innovations have seen its application in treating different tooth conditions expand in the last few years. In fact, laser dentistry is the go-to treatment of choice for oral soft tissue procedures due to its comfort. Dental procedures that required scalpels and drills can now be performed with laser equipment. Removing soft tissue from ill-fitting dentures was only possible through sutures, a painful procedure for most people. However, lasers can remove the soft tissues easily and painless. 

Composites

Another procedure that patients struggle to gather the courage to go through is cavity filling. Traditionally, dentists relied on metal fillings to address cavities, however small. Nonetheless, a metal filling needs a strong foundation to ensure that it does not come off during normal oral activities such as chewing. It means that a dentist has to drill deep into the cavity to create the foundation. Unfortunately, the process can be painful even with local anesthesia. Besides, it makes teeth prone to cracking. Composites and porcelain fillings are a welcome development because they can be secured using dental adhesives. Most importantly, a dentist does not have to drill a patient's tooth or inject anesthesia. 

Electric Disposable Burrs

Two properties of traditional air-driven burrs can be linked to dental fear. First, air-driven burrs vibrate a lot, which can be quite uncomfortable for patients, especially for soft tissue procedures. Second, the burrs get blunt over time because they are not disposable. Blunt and vibrating burrs can cause pain that even an adult would struggle to withstand. This is where electric disposable burrs prove beneficial to dentists. They vibrate less, and since they are designed for single-use, their sharpness guarantees precise painless cuts. Find a dentist near you today. 

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