Why dental vibe will revolutionize the way patients visit their dentists

Thanks to Bing Innovations and Goldberg's invention, the dental industry may see the first effective means of reducing pain and anxiety caused by the dreaded needle prick at the beginning of each dental visit.

The invention is based on the gate control theory of pain which states that when faced with multiple sensations, the brain filters out the pain sensation over vibration sensation. The same concept is applied with the help of DentalVibe Injection Comfort System where the patient simultaneously experiences a vibrating sensation from the device while receiving an injection. The device is helpful in making the needle stick bearable, says Dr. Ronald Melzack who is co-developer of the gate-control theory of pain.

DentalVibe is a cordless, rechargeable, hand held device which delivers pulsed, percussive micro-oscillations to vibrate the injection site. The vibrations reach the brain more quickly than the pain sensation, which distracts the brain from picking the pain sensation.

The skin version of the device is Buzzy, a plastic oval device which can be strapped to the skin while giving a shot to the patient. The device is safe enough to be used by patients at home, pediatricians and in cosmetic procedures

Already an effective marketing campaign has increased popularity among dental surgeons. With the second round of its Annual Patient Round program, Bing Innovations has capitalized on social media and traditional marketing techniques to generate real patient testimonials. Dubbing the technology using dentists as the 'pain-free dentist', the campaign has received acclaim on international media.

The study conducted by Tufts University School of Dentistry found in their study with DentalVibe that 83 percent of the subjects found the injection with DentalVibe to be less painful than the injection without the DentalVibe. The same findings were found when patients were asked to self report the pain with the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale.

The promising results, patient and dental surgeon testimonials and research promise a new era of dental pain free care.

What is gate control theory of pain

Developed by Malzeck and Wall in 1965

States that pain can be reduced by activating nerve fibers that conduct non-noxious stimuli

The neurological gate at the spine blocks pain signals or permits them to travel up the spinothalamic tract to the brain.

Activate the larger diameter fibers through signal mechano-receptors (massage techniques, rubbing pressure, icepack, vibration, acupuncture)

Release of inhibitory neurons, preventing the activation of projection neurons at the synaptic junction in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This causes the closure of the gate to the sensation of pain.