New Crowning Method could put a Stop to Painful Fillings
A new method of crowning teeth could put an end to painful trips to the dentist.
Experts are currently trialling a new crowning technique that would eliminate the need for the dreaded dentist’s drill and help thousands of patients feel more comfortable when faced with a session in the dental chair.
The new crowning technique would not only put an end to the drill. It would also negate the need for anaesthetic injections in many cases, welcome news for people who suffer from a phobia of needles.
Initial trials of the technique have been extremely positive and the NHS has invested £3 million in further investigations on a national scale.
The technique involves sealing the decayed tissue into the tooth rather than taking it out. The Hall technique, named after Norna Hall, a dentist from Aberdeenshire, does not use the conventional method of removing decayed tissue before placing a crown – instead the crown is slipped over the tooth and fixed firmly into place.
The decaying process is then slowed down and eventually stopped completely as a result of the bacteria being starved of oxygen.
The only flaw in the process is that it is currently only suitable for milk teeth. However, Professor Jimmy Steele, from the National Institute for Health Research, said that an adult-friendly version was currently being researched and he hoped that the technique would be available to adults in the future.
The nationwide NHS study will involve 1,500 children who will be treated at dental practices across the UK. 50 practices in the North of England, London, Scotland and Wales will be participating in the study.
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