rileyuk.co.uk

Engadget was reporting that a new gum freezing device has been given approval for use in Dentistry in the US. This device actually numbs the gums using freezing lights. . . . bye bye needles and things?

I don't think it's freezing lights, it looks like something with high thermal mass that's just been in a freezer for a while. Still, if you don't like needles, it's a pretty cool bit of kit. Don't know about the side-effects though, but I assume the cold doesn't do tissue damage...

Local anaesthesia can already be applied by using a spray of Ethyl Chloride. This makes the surface very, very cold. This can damage tissues though and is not widely used for that purpose. It is usually used to test the vitality of teeth. Spray onto a cotton pledget, apply to tooth and if you can feel it then the tooth is alive.

Ouch.