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Robot dentist performs first human procedure

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Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#371
post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The suction tool is used to dry the area out and make it easier to see and work. A robot could be taught to see through water, but it still needs a dry environment for some work.

Yes, but working with gravity instead of against might still be useful.

And the opposite for others. For example, getting cavities filled in the front of the mouth probably benefits from laying face up so that any saliva that's generated flows back down the throat instead of to the front of the mouth.

I'm guessing a lot of existing techniques and tools have an implicit bias for the patient being face up.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#372
post #19

Its cool tech, don't get me wrong. But maybe, before we remove any amount of comfort with another human being we look at wether all of the dental practices are actually backed by science (which there is some scruitiny over). But also going to the dentist already isn't exactly pleasant, the pokes, scrapes, drill noises, etc. Maybe we improve that first before sticking it in a robot? People already have a ton of anxiet…

My friend swears his dog tooth paste was better at preventing plaque build up than human tooth paste and it got me thinking that big dentistry probably have incentive to not improve effectiveness of human tooth paste. Then I read the ingredients and it's pretty similar so what do I know.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#373
post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but working with gravity instead of against might still be useful.

And the opposite for others. For example, getting cavities filled in the front of the mouth probably benefits from laying face up so that any saliva that's generated flows back down the throat instead of to the front of the mouth. I'm guessing a lot of existing techniques and tools have an implicit bias for the patient being face up.

> I'm guessing a lot of existing techniques and tools have an implicit bias for the patient being face up.

Well, they have a bias for a human doing the dentistry. With all that entails.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#375
post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do clinical statistics. I make such studies. Sorry the sausage is not the way you dreamt it!

X says "I would like RCTs on this subject", and you reply that most RCTs are worthless. Great, what do you want, a cookie? Presumably they want good RCTs, not low-quality ones.

Yeah, I'd like a cookie. I'd also like medicine to become real science. Unfortunately, you can't say by reading the paper, whether the paper corresponds to what's truly been done. In my experience, it often doesn't. What's your personal experience you wish to enlighten us with?

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#376

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would be usable to anyone with a smartphone, in a world not controlled by self-interested gatekeepers and their well-paid lobbyists.

exactly… this is tech that could be used by literally anyone if it were legal but I am supposed to believe it is just too difficult to bring into practice

I doubt that measurements outside a standardized environment would grant satisfactory performance. But, perhaps. I don't know.

You're just too sour, man. I'm not saying it won't work, not even saying with certainty it doesn't work now. I'm not refuting protectionism plays a role either. What I'm saying is just that clinical integration of new tech, especially involving computers, is much more difficult than you seem to believe. And that the primary reason for that is not the greed of docs, which in my experience holds far less political influence than you think. I'm all for new tech, so chill out a bit.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#377
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> and overall they make an effort to be less scoldy and more encouragey. Oh, 100%. Yeah there has for sure been progress. I do also recognize that my anxiety is not just "oh I don't like the dentist", I was lied too. That breaks that trust. I remember before I found my current dentist, I was having a ton of pain and I tried to find someone. I called them, explained the situation, explained the anxiety and where it wa…

Only slightly related, I have a really bad thing with dental dams, clamps, and anything blocking my mouth - I get really paranoid im going to choke and die - and start overthinking swallowing my saliva and freaking out. Especially taking the moulds for my teeth, it really feels like the back of my throat is getting blocked up by the putty, and they just leave me sitting there with it in. My dentist would always lie t…

It’s still along those same lines. It’s lying or stretching the truth.

And I do believe that for the most it comes from a good place. They are legitimately trying to reduce anxiety.

When the above happened an I was trying to find a dentist I talked with my therapist about this extensively. And then the dentist I found now, talking through it was a big way that helped me.

And both of them kinda said the same thing. That this was an old trick that dentists used. Particularly on kids, but clearly not limited. And it does come from a good place.

But they don’t think about the long term damage of that. Even on a subconscious level. It wasn’t until into my adult hood that I understood why I had a fight or flight moment when I got in that chair, but I still did.

And I feel you 100% on those tools and stuff. I have gotten better, but I remember early on after finding my current dentist I needed a root canal. I told her, if I am laying 100% back and that plastic film is covering my mouth fully I am going to have an anxiety attack. She listened and worked with me on how to make it work. It still made me anxious, but yeah.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#378
post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not true. Mouth pH and mouth biome make all the difference. Also spacing between teeth. I used to be friends with someone that ate bags of gummy bears a day. Never flossed, brushed a couple of times a week. Zero cavities well into his 30s, maybe longer.

Gummy bears are delicious.

He also crushed ice with his teeth.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#379
post #352
post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> which will hopefully reduce anxiety as well as reducing costs. We all know this is not going to happen. You'll just pay a premium for the novelty.

I would pay slightly more if it meant I only had to be in the dentist's chair once for 15 minutes instead of 2 hours split over 2 visits.

There you go.

You already have an excuse.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#380
post #279

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually had this thought one day. Do billionaires waste time brushing their teeth? If yes, why? If no, do they use a solution that they just stick their face in and it brushes for them? That's what I'd do as a billionaire anyway. I wonder how I'd solve peeing...

The billionaire I know even wipes his own butt. Shocking, I know.

Plebe...

The aristocracy doesn't even defecate.

I've met one adult that believed this.

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