London - Scientists have devised a new hand-held device to take the pain out of dental injections.
The gadget, which is about the size of an electric toothbrush, works by vibrating against the gum when the anaesthetic injection is given.
The theory is that this tickling distracts the brain from the discomfort of the jab.
Early research suggests that the vibration signals reach the brain before the pain sensation does, effectively blocking the patient’s brain from feeling the injection.
Many Britons avoid the dentist due to fear of pain - but most of this discomfort comes from the initial injections.
According to the makers of the new gadget, the sensation of vibration travels along nerve fibres at 75 metres per second. In contrast, the sensation of pain travels slowly along thinner nerve fibres at two metres per second.
The device is currently not available yet, but could be launched in the next couple of years. - Daily Mail