Virtual reality technology has been getting better every year. Oculus Rift and Samsung are both expected to release virtual reality headsets in 2015 or 2016, and while many people are excited to get their hands on them to simply to experience the joy of exploring new worlds, some scientists have been experimenting with using virtual reality as a way to reduce the pain and anxiety associated with going to the dentist.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Cyber Psychology Behavior and Social Networking researchers found that patients wearing virtual reality goggles felt less pain and were less anxious during dental procedures. The study only followed 5 patients, which is a small sample size, but the results should lead to more research. The patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire before and after their visit to rate their anxiety levels. While they were with the dentist they were hooked up to a number of machines that measured their heart rate and breathing rate to get an understanding of the pain and nervousness they were feeling. The virtual reality headsets were programmed to take the patients on tours of the mountains and beach, all the while playing relaxing noises to fully immerse them in the fake environment.
When the results of the distracted patients were compared to the control samples, it was found that patients felt less pain and were less nervous. However, it was also noted in the research that it is not simply any distraction factor gets results. When patients were asked to watch a movie during procedures they felt all the pain and were just as anxious. Researchers think that it has to do with the total immersion of the patients. If you can make the brain believe that it is someplace else doing something else it will not register as much pain. This idea taps into the fact that pain has a large psychological factor, which is why people who are sleeping cannot feel pain. Your brain has to actively register the pain for it to be felt. While this technology could still be several years away from actually coming to dentists’ offices, it is great to see a non-drug solution. It would be pretty cool to go to a dentist’s office and strap on a set of virtual reality goggles for the duration of the procedure.
Dr. Mike Malone and his team practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and current accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants. Check out his website for more information.