Sandblasting: Technology for cleaning teeth. Available here only experimentally. Silicon dioxide and alumina particles are forced out through tiny jets. These micro-abrasives literally erode away decayed portions on tooth enamel. Noiseless, painless procedure. Kinder on patients' teeth.
Drawback: Limited application. Only safe in hands of skilled practitioners. Effective for surface damage alone. A misdirected jet could damage soft tissue, worse, even bore a hole through/lacerate gums.
Intra-RVG. Oral Radio Videography: Technology that dispenses with X-ray film. Radio sensitive sensor used in lieu of film. Sensor transmits 2-D image on to computer monitor.
Advantage: Minimal exposure to radiation (1/10th of normal). Can enhance/replicate image fully/sectionally. Transmit via modem across continents.
Intra Oral Camera: Fibreoptic video cameras, handpiece/mirror mounted (on whatever instrument goes into the mouth). Patient can watch procedure during operation on screen opposite.
Advantage: I really care variety of patient-doctor bonding/reassurance technique by dentists who'll murmur ... now you tell me if the drills too close to the nerve. Of course they'll add on the gizmo cost to your bill!
Inceram: Expensive. Vitreous glass instead of ceramic material is fused on to metal atop which porcelain tooth is affixed.
Advantage: Ceramic on metal refracts light, looks less natural. Non-refractive glass base guarantees tooth that looks more natural than natural.
CAD CAM & CNC Machines: Available abroad. Should debut here shortly. Scanners map tooth crown surface, store 3-D images in computers. Next a virtually computerised lathe sculpts a crown that fits just so in 45 minutes.
Advantage: Takes 45 minutes to do what takes two days following prevalent professional procedures.
Tens or Trans Cutaneous Electro Neural Stimulation: Available abroad. Indian debut awaited. Makes painful needle-jab anaesthesia redundant. Electric strobes are placed in
area to be anaesthetised. Electrical pulses activated confuse pain conducting nerves that perceive stimulus as indicator to BLOCK rather than TRANSMIT pain.
Advantage: Painless visits to the dentist? Oxymoron demolished? Hallelujah!!!
