Transforming Dentistry with Virtual Reality: Behind the Scenes with Dr. Anker Gupta
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4 min reading time
In this candid interview, Dr. Anker Gupta shares how virtual reality glasses by Paperplane Therapeutics are transforming patient care—especially for those with dental anxiety. From tearful adult patients to his own daughter’s wisdom teeth extraction, Dr. Gupta reveals how this non-pharmacological tool helps patients stay calm, still, and engaged during even the most invasive procedures. A must-read for any clinician exploring innovation in patient experience.
Behind the Scenes with Dr. Anker Gupta:
How Virtual Reality Is Transforming Patient Care in Dentistry
By Kevin Henry, Editor-in-Chief, DrBicuspid.com
When it comes to managing dental anxiety—whether in children or adults—finding non-invasive, effective tools is essential. In this special interview, Dr. Anker Gupta sits down with Kevin Henry of DrBicuspid.com to share how one simple tool has completely transformed his approach to anxious patients: virtual reality glasses by Paperplane Therapeutics.
From tearful waiting rooms to trauma-informed care, and even a special father-daughter bonding moment, Dr. Gupta walks us through the real impact this technology is having chairside.
“This was one of our most creative product reviews ever.”
“We do a lot of product reviews at Catapult, and many of them are fantastic. But this was one of the few that we immediately said, ‘We’ve got to get this in our office.’ It was a no-brainer.” — Dr. Anker Gupta
Dr. Gupta reflects on how this tool stood out—earning not only Catapult’s seal of approval but his team’s immediate adoption.
How It Works: VR Designed for the Dental Chair
Unlike standard VR headsets, the Paperplane Therapeutics system is custom-designed for dental use:
Movement restriction: The screen darkens with head movement, encouraging stillness.
Immersive gameplay: Some patients choose a game where they shoot at playful gremlins using only eye movement.
Relaxing experiences: Others float down the Nile, watching pyramids rise along the riverbank.
“The patients are focused on their virtual world. If I do something that hurts, they still feel it—but their reaction is far more subdued. They’ll say ‘ow,’ but keep playing the game. It’s kind of magical.”
A Life-Changing Patient Story
Dr. Gupta recalls a powerful case: a woman so terrified of dentists, she avoided care until her teeth were beyond saving.
“She came in crying. I asked what had happened, and we discovered her father had died in a military dental clinic. She didn’t know the details—just that he died in the chair. That trauma lived with her.”
The patient agreed to full-mouth extractions and implant-supported dentures, but refused sedation. Dr. Gupta offered the VR headset as his only tool for anxiety.
“It was like a magic wand. I could perform complex, invasive extractions while she stayed calm. When the headset slipped off, she started to panic—but the moment we repositioned it, she was back in control.”
Today, that patient smiles freely, eats what she likes, and repeats one line to Dr. Gupta every visit:
“You changed my life.”
Even My Teen Daughter Used It
Dr. Gupta shares another moment—this time, closer to home.
“My 17-year-old daughter is terrified of shots. But her wisdom teeth were bothering her, and she begged me to extract them. I didn’t have an assistant, but I gave in.”
Using the VR headset, she stayed calm throughout the entire procedure.
“She was shooting gremlins the whole time. Later I asked if it hurt. She said yes—but didn’t cry or panic. It turned a stressful moment into something kind of special.”
Final Thoughts: VR Makes Dentistry Better—for Everyone
“When a patient isn’t squirming, you’re not stressed. You take your time. You do your best work. The kid becomes like a still block, and you don’t have to do all that psychological coaching. It just makes dentistry better.”
Kevin Henry is the Editor-in-Chief of DrBicuspid.com and host of the DrBicuspid podcast, where he explores the latest in dental innovation, patient experience, and product insights.
