Probably, of the form of 'focus on the light, rather than the pain', it probably works to some degree as most dental work pain, anaesthetic-less, isn't AS terrible as people imagine it will be - it's still bad, just bearable (I've had 2 teeth drilled without anaesthetic)
The anesthetic doesn't always work for me, and I seem to need a lot if it is going to work.
Sometimes I can't be bothered to complain, since I know then we have to jab, and wait, and my face (but not always my tooth) will be numb for a really really long time.
I joke that I'm just building up resistance to physical torture, but it's like you describe. Pretty bad, but I just stare off into space and it's over soon.
When I had a major cavity filled—I don't remember the details—they essentially gave me as much anesthesia as they safely could, but something about the placement of the teeth or the nerves meant that the operation had to be very close to the nerve. They literally had to ask me if I could at least keep the screaming down to a level that it didn't scare the other patients. I'm very happy for people for whom it's not unbearable, but I think that's not a universal.
(My mom was resistant to anesthesia, which dentists generally didn't believe when told, so they'd try to distract her and drill when she wasn't expecting to prove that she was actually numbed. She wasn't, and it hurt so much and she built up so much distrust she simply wouldn't go to the dentist any more.)
One of the best inventions in modern dentistry is the laser. The last time I had to have work done my dentist used one of those instead of a mechanical drill, it was really great. No novacaine, no pain, very fast. Quick composite filling and I was out of his office in perhaps 20 minutes for the whole visit. The only time he used a mechanical tool was when he was making sure the edges of the composite filling were perfectly flush.
> One of the best inventions in modern dentistry is the laser.
How about CEREC-type systems? No more alginate molds and long turnarounds; just scan the patient's mouth with a handheld instrument and mill out a ceramic prosthetic in the office.
