That may be about to become a thing of the past.
Researchers at the University of Otago, University of Auckland, and Auckland University of Technology, have successfully created and trialled a needle-free device for dental anaesthesia for teeth extractions.
The device differs from other needle-free jet injectors in that it is driven by a silent motor and is specifically designed for dental work.
Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor academic Prof Paul Brunton did the study while at the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry, and said such anxiety often arose from negative past experiences in the dental chair, anaesthesia by needle being one of the common generators of the fear.
"Dental anxiety and needle phobia have contributed to more patients avoiding dental treatment and missing regular check-ups, generating poor oral health outcomes and associated impacts on general health.
"Patients often fear more the sight of a needle during local anaesthetic delivery than the treatment itself," he said.
Eight patients took part in the study — all needed removal of top teeth as part of their treatment plan.
All participants received both the traditional needle and the needle-free injection device.
The needle-free anaesthesia was the preferred technique by all of the participants at all stages, and six of the eight reported a pain-free extraction with the needle-free delivery.
In two cases, further anaesthetic was required by the traditional needle technique. Of the eight, five were not considered to have dental anxiety, two had mild dental anxiety and one was classified as having high dental anxiety.
"Even though this was just a proof of concept trial, this device certainly could reduce or eliminate anxiety due to needle phobia," Prof Brunton said.
While the results of this study were encouraging, a larger clinical trial would now be needed to validate the technique and to investigate whether it could be used for other dental treatments that required local anaesthesia, he said.
