New study could see the end of injected anaesthetics at the dentist
A new study could see the end of needles being used as a way of delivering anaesthetics to dental patients.
The study, from the University of São Paulo, has revealed that a tiny electric current running through a gel, which sticks to the lining of the gums, can provide long-lasting and fast-acting numbness, an innovation which means that injections to provide anaesthetics may soon not be necessary.
Professor Lopez, one of the authors of the study, said that “Over the last few years, our research group has been working on the development of novel drug delivery systems for the treatment of several skin and eye diseases”.
In the study from the University of São Paulo, researchers looked for a more effective way of getting these topical painkillers into the body and they found that applying a cmall electric current can make the anaesthetics more effective.
As “The skin and eyes pose challenges for drug delivery,” Professor Lopez continued, the team “focused on improving drug delivery in these organs using nanotechnology, iontophoresis and sonophoresis, which is permeation using sound waves.”
Although injections are the most common way of delivering anaesthetic, dentists can give phobic patients a topical painkiller to reduce the pain associated with a needle. These painkillers can come in the form of a hydrogel, ointment or spray.
