Modern Dentistry: How the Digital World is Transforming Your Mouth

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Modern Dentistry


Brushing and flossing may still be important habits to keep up with each day, but visiting the dentist is becoming a lesson in technology.


Questionable tools and paperwork charts are almost nonexistent in today's dental offices, reports Scientific American. More dentists today are looking toward the digital revolution that's only improving their practices and increasing productivity. Learn how the digital world is transforming your everyday appointments with the dentist.
Instantaneous X-Rays

Taking X-rays is still a critical procedure in any dental office. These annual images tell the dentist if you have any cavities, and they also provide a perfect picture of your tooth positioning. Crooked teeth are instantly pinpointed so that they can be treated with orthodontia at some point.

X-rays of the past that used to reside on film are now archaic. Digital x-rays offer an instant picture to the dentist as he or she examines the details. These images are also on laptops, tablets and television monitors. Dentists might use the images with the patients so that they know exactly what is going on with the oral cavity. A transparent, dental office builds trust in their clientele.

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Imaging for Restorative Work

CAD/CAM technology may sound complicated to the layperson, but it's actually an imaging process that culminates in bridges, veneers and crows, reports the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation. By scanning a patient with this tool, the software can work its wonders as it calculates materials for new implants.

Restorative work used to involve manual castings and estimates of a patient's oral measurements that were fraught with mistakes. Scanning technology is incredibly accurate, which leads to rapid production and placement of these dentures and implants. Long waits and constant alterations are no longer part of the dental experience.

Easing Consultations Between Dental Professionals

There are several, dental professionals who you might see in a given year. Traditional dentists, periodontists and orthodontists are just a handful of the professionals in the industry. As your dental needs change, however, you'll need to visit different professionals.

This common situation is where the complications arose regarding paperwork and patient histories. Any consulting professional had few details to understand as they accepted a new patient for a particular procedure. Today's cloud software changed all of that. Currently, authorized professionals can read a patient's entire chart as they log onto a secure website within the industry. With more information comes enhanced care that's free from complications.

Patient Communication and Security

Because most dental patients visit every six months, communicating with them was an issue. Missed appointments were common as people simply procrastinated about an upcoming cleaning. Current technology allows patients to log into their personal accounts to see histories and appointment dates. They can even have reminders sent to their phones as a way to keep up with their oral hygiene.

Regardless if your dentist works several days a month or offers 24 hour dentistry, patients' security is critical. Both professionals and patients should have limited access to the information through tracked usernames. No patient information will be compromised, and every authorized person can quickly access the data from any Internet-based device.

Implant-Positioning Simplified

By using software guidance, dental implants are easier than ever to install and please the patient. These digital-software guides essentially tell the dentist where the implant must go, such as calculating angles and depths. With this information, dentists can place the implant with barely any complications.

dental implant


Implants are becoming more popular than dentures so it makes sense that technology must step up to improve the overall procedure. Dentists and patients benefit with successful surgeries that minimize recovery times.

Diode Laser Possibilities

According to RDH, laser technology is the way to go when it comes to treating patients with the best care. Today's lasers have diode components, which helps the light beams remain steady during a procedure. Lasers essentially cut tissue and vaporize its edges away. During any dental work, precision cuts are critical to a clean procedure and easy recovery.

There are hard-tissue lasers, but most dentists start out with soft-tissue types that can be more versatile around the office. As dentists add to their practices, more lasers can be incorporated into daily life.

Dentists will continue to improve their practices as the technology advances and becomes affordable for most professionals. Patients can only benefit from these changes when it comes to time savings and anxiety over potential pain. A dental visit doesn't have to be a frightening experience. The digital world and IoT come together to improve your smile with one scan at a time.


By  Isaac ChristiansenEmbed

After graduating from medical school at the University of Michigan, Isaac started his own private orthopedic practice in Riverton Utah. Having dealt with and overcome many of the obstacles that come with entrepreneurship and small business ownership, Isaac has found a passion for helping the up and coming generation thrive in their careers and ultimately their lives.



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