7 Healthcast: Dreading the drill

The dreaded drill. The dental chair has never exactly been a popular seat. Melinda Britton is having a silver filling replaced with a white composite one. It's a simple procedure, performed usually with a traditional drill.

"Fillings, crowns, bridges, any type of procedure that's done in the mouth," Dentist Dr. Michael Mabry said.

But Dr. Mabry is using cutting edge technology, a "pro-drive systems" handpiece that improves the efficiency and accuracy of the drill. Post-procedure patients heal quicker.

"There was a certain amount of slippage, no matter how tightly the hand piece was tightened," Dr. Mabry said.

Britton's filling took under ten minutes. She says it was less painful, too.

"What I could feel didn't hurt at all, just a few pokes and here and there," Britton said.

The only downside is that the drill noise still exists.

"There is still a certain amount of sound associated with the drill, which is obviously one of the things people dread the most," Dr. Mabry said. "But the fact that it is a little more comfortable post-operatively, I think they will see the benefits."

But the pain associated with the sound doesn't. To keep your teeth healthy, especially during the holidays, when there are a lot of sweets around, remember to brush twice a day, floss and don't forget to visit your dentist regularly.

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