Top 10 Advancements in Dental Technology You Should Tell Your Patients You Are Using!
Patients want to know that the office that they choose is on the cutting edge of dentistry, and that they are getting the best care out there. If you are using any of the advancements listed below in your office consider telling your patients more about it in an office news letter or on your office social media sites. We want to thank Dr. Amruta Patel for putting together the information below!
Dental technology has been growing by leaps and bounds, with systems designed to improve dentist and patient comfort, reduce treatment times and enhance oral health.
Here are 10 examples of systems that are changing the way we work:
High-Tech X-Rays – Digital X-rays reduce radiation exposure for both doctors and patients, are faster as well as more sensitive, efficient and convenient than conventional film. Today, digital radiography is used for locating cavities, inspecting bone structure, root canals, implants, etc.
Caries Detection Solution – Quite similar to plaque disclosing tablets (which draw attention to any areas of teeth not cleaned thoroughly while brushing), dental care professionals apply this liquid red dye over your teeth to check if decay has been completely removed during treatment.
Composite Resin Materials – These materials are commonly used in restorative procedures like veneers, crowns and bondings. They replicate the look and feel of your natural teeth, and can be applied directly to the tooth surface. They cure quickly, hold their shape better and are far more durable than traditional materials.
CAD/CAM Technology – CAD (computer-assisted design) and CAM (computer-assisted manufacture) technology speeds up restorative dental treatment. With a computer-generated image used in place of a mold and temporary restoration, bridges, crowns, veneers and inlays can be created and fitted in one visit.
Digital Photography – Digital photographs can be adapted to offer you a “preview” of your post-treatment appearance. These are especially helpful for cosmetic dentistry and complex reconstructions, since treatment can be customized based on the patient’s expectations and requirements.
Dental Lasers – Today, diode lasers are used to locate cavities in your teeth, in addition to their use in dental care procedures. Lasers can help locate cavities earlier, and are often used alongside high-tech x-rays to detect decay between and inside teeth or for teeth that have previously been filled.
Intra-Oral Cameras – These small and lightweight cameras produce highly accurate images of your teeth and their supporting structure. They allow dentists, technicians and even patients to see defects, helping to detect and prevent oral health issues.
VELscope – This new FDA-approved oral cancer screening system allows dentists and oral surgeons to locate defects that may not be visible to the naked eye. The system uses incandescent light to help identify abnormalities, or define appropriate margins for surgical procedures (e.g. excision of diseased tissue around a lesion).
The Wand – This computerized tool is used to deliver anesthetic liquid in a gradual and methodic manner, reducing the pain caused by pressure from traditional injections. The small delivery holder makes it easy to use, and patients are more comfortable with the painless delivery of anesthesia.
Desensitizers – For patients with sensitive teeth, desensitizers are a godsend which improve your comfort during any dental procedure. Dentists or dental hygienists can use them alone or combine them with other relief methods for pain and anxiety (e.g. local anesthetic/sedation dentistry).
With newer advancements in dental technology, treatment is becoming faster, safer and more effective than ever before. We at All About Smiles always stay abreast of any advances in dental technology, call and let us help you clear your doubts.
Author: Dr Amruta Patel is a warm and compassionate dentist caring for the community of San Antonio, TX. She practices at All About Smiles, where she provides cosmetic braces, endodontic treatments, implants, and veneers, as well as basic general dental services. Outside of practicing dentistry, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.