Next time you go to the dentist for some dreadfully painful procedure, you may have the option of eschewing that Novocaine-bearing needle for a flexible dental mouthpiece that turns out the lights on your maxillofacial nerves. Developed by Laguna Hills-based BioMedDevice Limited, and recently approved by the FDA, the so-called gumEase uses no conventional anesthetics, instead relying on cryoanesthesia: basically, the freezer-stored device chills your mouth into numbness. One application of gumEase, which lasts up to 20 minutes, is said to relieve 90% of a patient's pain within two to three minutes -- and to prove it, the manufacturer has produced a rather graphic video depicting a hypodermic-free tooth extraction, which you can watch at your own risk after the break. With products such as this one and the
RelaxView HMD seemingly making dental visits more pleasant than ever before, we may actually have to review our policy of only making appointments during leap years.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
me @ Dec 14th 2007 8:16PM
I was young and just a bad little kid,
My momma noticed funny things I did.
Like shootin' puppies with a BB-Gun.
I'd poison guppies, and when I was done,
I'd find a pussy-cat and bash in it's head.
That's when my momma said...
(What did she say?)
She said my boy I think someday
You'll find a way
To make your natural tendencies pay...
You'll be a dentist.
You have a talent for causing things pain!
Son, be a dentist.
People will pay you to be inhumane!
Taylor @ Dec 15th 2007 8:04AM
Despite the lowrankingness on the above comment, I'd have to agree that dentists are sadists.
andyo @ Dec 15th 2007 11:32PM
You, sir, are an anti-dentite.
greybaby @ Dec 15th 2007 11:40PM
one of my favorite songs from little shop of horrors
Nick Gold @ Dec 14th 2007 8:16PM
Eff that! I feel bad for folks who can't take anesthetics. I can't imagine having a dental procedure like a tooth extraction without it. Uhg.
Boynamedsue @ Dec 14th 2007 8:17PM
fuck 90 percent of the pain. give me Novocaine. I want to be happy and drooling for an hour afterward.
Andrew @ Dec 15th 2007 12:07PM
No joke, best part of going to the dentist is getting all numby faced.
mushrooshi @ Dec 14th 2007 8:22PM
I have had an extraction fromt he fact the baby tooth wouldn't come out, so yeah. It didnt hurt.
Bobs @ Dec 14th 2007 8:26PM
I can safley say that after 3 root canals, and several chipped tooth fixes, that novacane is worth the little stab.
BigD145 @ Dec 14th 2007 8:35PM
I predict a rise in mouth cancer.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 15th 2007 1:14AM
Long term complications have not been seen.
Andrew @ Dec 15th 2007 1:50PM
Man, you are trying to sell the shit out of this thing.
prttymf8 @ Dec 14th 2007 8:42PM
This is good for people like me. I pass out when I get injections. Not sure why it happens, just a psychological thing. Because of it I've had fillings and deep cleanings done with no novicane. I'd rather tolerate the pain than pass out. I assure you, getting the drill with no novicane is not pleasant. So I welcome a product like this.
RustyH @ Dec 15th 2007 1:46AM
I wish I'd pass out! I can't even handle a cleaning. Screw an extraction!
ethana2 @ Dec 15th 2007 1:59AM
I'm horrible around needles. Horrible. So I concur.
Technex @ Dec 15th 2007 8:21AM
Couldn't agree more with all these comments. I hate needles, I fainted the last three times... Not funny... One thing I can't stand... This product is great, I love it. What a wonderful idea!
Arcygenical @ Dec 14th 2007 8:48PM
Right... Because the majority of dental procedures can be completed in under 20 minutes... And I seriously doubt searing cold will be less painful than a quick little pokey pokey.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 15th 2007 1:12AM
The gumEase is actually warmer than ice cream.
MARSHAK @ Dec 15th 2007 1:31AM
yea. i think theres more to this thing than just putting ice on your gums
Brice L. Yoder @ Jan 4th 2008 8:45PM
Actually the 90% is a misprint and went out before we could catch it. For that we apologize. It should read 100%
Brice L. Yoder @ Jan 4th 2008 8:45PM
Just to let you know that if the procedure lasts longer than 20 minutes the dentist can insert another gumEase and then another and so forth until the procedure is finished. If the pain process, your dentist will provide one or two or three or four for you to take own and use there.. We think it's a win win product
Irfan @ Dec 14th 2007 8:55PM
they have topical anesthetics that are pretty high strength these days that numb a lot, and you wont feel the needle prick at all. and 20 minutes, although long enough for most dental procedures, will not get you through a root canal. I guess giving a local anesthesia shot after this would be beneficial, but when properly used topical does the same thing pretty effectively.
btw dentists dont use actualy novocaine(branded procaine) anymore. its lidocaine/prilocaine/articaine/mepivicaine these days... tho novocaine is still a lay term to cover them all.
N.J. Brown @ Dec 17th 2007 10:45PM
I have had the gumease used on me and there was no pain. There is a mistake somewhere because it relieves all pain for most dental procedures.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 17th 2007 11:58PM
We have done root canals and long periodontal procedures - usually using about 4 gumease - and no pain felt and you leave the office without a numby mouth and you and the practitioner have both gained financially.
Brice L. Yoder @ Jan 4th 2008 8:47PM
The gumEase dental device has been scientifically designed and developed to achieve a regional pain block through the local application of extreme cold to nerves. By near- freezing the nerve fibers, the nerve temporarily stops transmitting pain impulses providing drug-free pain relief.
It can also be used to reduce post-operative pain and dramatically decreases the need for postoperative medication.
An additional note, properly applied in accordance with directions the gumEase device is well above and below the teeth and gumline.
klew @ Dec 14th 2007 8:58PM
Most of the pain involved with needles is a result of pushing the liquid solution into your cheek/gums faster than the tissue can absorb it. It would hurt less if injected slower, but then people might freak out if the needle is in too long.
Grant @ Dec 14th 2007 9:32PM
as much as i hate needles, i don't think numbing the area with cold like this would be as effective short and medium term.
i just close my eyes, open my mouth, and let them do their thing pain free until the Novocain wears off.
Hammond X @ Dec 14th 2007 9:36PM
All things considered, I'd rather have the old fashioned -caine that dentists used to use: co-caine.
Andrew @ Dec 15th 2007 1:51PM
My dentist keeps a head stash, you know, just in case.
Wayne @ Dec 14th 2007 9:54PM
If you have sensitive teeth, this thing probably hurts ten times more than any needle would. I had a dental cleaning last week and the water for the rinse was excruciating.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 15th 2007 1:13AM
Fortunately for you if you used the gumEase, you would see it sits on the tooth root, not the tooth.
keats @ Dec 14th 2007 10:45PM
"effects last 6-20 minutes"
how do you judge???
i'd hate to be in the middle of a procedure where the dentist says..."oh sorry... it must only work 6 min on you...sorry"
Dr.Tay @ Dec 15th 2007 1:15AM
You can use as many of these as is necessary. I have seen 45 minute procedures done with 4 gumEase - no pain at all
Dr.Tay @ Dec 17th 2007 11:46PM
effects can last for as many gumEase as you need - each one lasts for 3-4 minutes to begin
Dr.Tay @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:58PM
We have "judged" through rigorous patient testing.
dies irae @ Dec 14th 2007 11:37PM
Cmon, its not that bad, during my life i have been lucky enough and i have only had like 5 dental procedures, all of these without any kind of anesthetics since im really allergic.
So.. it didn't hurt, but thats because i have always been a freak and i don't have a normal pain response. (which makes a pretty cool thing when betting on something stupid while being drunk)
But, i believe its a wonderful answer to all of the people out there with allergies and stuff.
BTW, don't forget to brush your teeth 3 times a day!!
shifuimam @ Dec 15th 2007 12:49AM
I think most of you missed the part where she said she can die from injected anesthetics.
Sure, a pinprick from a needle and guaranteed no pain is better than this, but this is better than nothing for someone who physiologically can't have the kinds of anesthetics normally used for dental procedures.
Darryl @ Dec 15th 2007 1:24AM
Well, I guess choice is good. But when I had an extraction, with the numbing gel and the gas, I didn't really mind the shots. I was in too much of a daze. Although one did feel like it was sorta going through my cheek. If I could have chosen which to use, I'd rather go with the tried and true.
Flashpoint @ Dec 15th 2007 11:14AM
If I want ICE on my gums I'll go to DeBeers.
Garst @ Dec 15th 2007 4:00AM
If only now they had something for the pain that comes from having braces. But I do say, braces are the rich man's diet. Get your vanity taken care of in both your mount and stomach, because it hurt to eat anything harder than a banana.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 17th 2007 3:06PM
Braces= That is why gumEase will be available over the counter. You can take them home, toss in your freezer and apply when you have brace pain.
Brice L. Yoder @ Jan 4th 2008 8:46PM
GumEase has been used consistently to provide relief from pain after the braces have been tightened. You can keep them in the freezer at home and pop one in your mouth following the simple directions. There is no reason why anyone should suffer any brace pain today. GumEase also laments the need for medication in young people to treat this type of pain
Z @ Dec 15th 2007 5:23AM
Ummmm... yeah, I'll stick with the "Novocain", thanks.
Don't like needles, but I LOVE the idea that I'm gonna be numb the ENTIRE time without any accidents (e.g.: "Oops! Well, whatdya know? It didn't last the full twenty minutes on you. Sorry.).
Yeah, Novocain, the gas, and maybe even the little pills they give you (don't know the name) that effect your memory, your sense of time, and put you to sleep (about the closest to being put completely to sleep without actually doing so). Now that's a nice combo, and it works. You feel nothing, you remember next to nothing, and you feel like you've been there only fifteen minutes even if you've been there six hours (which I've actually experienced). Of course, someone has to drive you to and from, but hey, thank God we have those options.
But with that said, it's good that those who can't have Novocain for whatever reason, have another option (besides having an anesthesiologist put you out altogether, which some dentists offer - expensive though).
Wwhat @ Dec 15th 2007 6:25AM
Excuse me but don't people with cavities and such issue have teeth that are extremely sensitive to cold? so to reach numbness they first have to go through hell?
I bet they only tested that thing on people without issues, doh.
Dr.Tay @ Dec 17th 2007 3:10PM
Wrong about the cavities; we tested it on cavities, pts who are under going extraction, periodontist procedures, braces - even facial surgeries.
NKT @ Dec 15th 2007 11:49PM
Facial surgeries? Pardon my ignorance but won't something like this be ineffective or impossible to place on someone undergoing flap surgery? Also, is this product cost effective?
FThorn @ Dec 15th 2007 7:45AM
Since about 12 yo, I have never been numbed for any procedure. I have had four root canals, probably a dozen or more cavities filled, etc. Some drilled down about 80% to the gumline, so lots of meaty nerves being tapped.
Honestly, if you've ever had cold sensitivity when taking a drink, that's about as bad as it gets. Just mind over matter.
um... @ Dec 15th 2007 12:07PM
I feel bad for what you have gone through at the dentist....
But you may want to try brushing your teeth.
FThorn @ Dec 15th 2007 4:12PM
Don't feel bad for me, I don't. I brush and floss and rinse as well as anyone. My wife, on the other hand, hardly takes care of her teeth the never has a cavity, gum disease, or tartar. So, that pretty much shows me that it's not about brushing. I spent over 30 seconds in each crack today flossing. Will it matter? no.
I'd rather go to the dentist than get my haircut. So, I'm fine with it. In fact, the fake teeth I have from having fun/living life and breaking my teeth out I would not trade. It taught me not to fear pain or physical harm for one thing. The ceramic and silver crowns are better than real. They do not dull, and they are very sharp, good incisors. I wish all my teeth could be of that material.
Alex Adler @ Dec 15th 2007 12:09PM
JUST BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND horribly painful procedures like root canals wont have to be preformed on you