Technology has undoubtedly transformed and advanced numerous aspects of our world, including how patients receive dental work. As a result, digital dentistry measures allow patients to experience a visit to the dentist that is more streamlined, comfortable, safer to perform, and more dependable. With that said, what many patients aren’t aware of is what digital dentistry entails and how it works. Therefore, to provide more context to the subject and offer patients peace of mind before their next dentist appointment, we’re going to be answering these questions in more detail throughout our article. So, keep reading for more information.
As we mentioned before, technological advancements have positively impacted several elements of conventional dentistry practices. These improvements ultimately influence how you, as a patient, interact with your dentist from the moment you walk in the front door. Let’s dive a bit deeper into this below:
In simple terms, digital dentistry refers to all computer-based technologies that dental professionals utilize during their daily practice to conduct assessments, diagnostics, and treatments with the underlying goal of improving your dental health and wellbeing. At the same time, digital dentistry also influences how you may interact with your dental office between your appointments with them and when you need to come in for a follow-up. Ultimately, digital dentistry is aimed at improving the overall accuracy and efficiency of oral treatments while ensuring the results of those treatments remain predictable and positive.
Furthermore, there are many diverse innovative tools and techniques involved including, digital radiography, intracranial scanning, computer-aided design, and more, which we will go over in more detail in the next section.
Digital dental technologies come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at some of the tools and practices that you may have already experienced or may experience during a future appointment with a dental professional.
Intraoral cameras: Intraoral cameras are tiny cameras that have replaced the round dental mirror that dentists once used to assess the inside of your mouth. These small cameras are highly beneficial, as they provide advanced magnification that allows your dentist to zoom in and out on areas of your teeth to get a more detailed view of potential oral health concerns. In addition, Intraoral cameras are also advantageous as it enables your dentist to place what is being captured by the camera, on a larger screen. As such, patients are now able to see exactly what their dentist is looking at. This provides greater opportunities for patients to learn more about their oral hygiene. Furthermore, these tiny cameras also capture images, which can be sent to lab technicians for further use, in the event that you require bridges or crowns.
Intraoral scanning and computer-aided design (CAD)/ computer-aided manufacturing (CAM): If you’ve ever required a retainer or mouth guard, you’ll probably remember the gooey substance you had to bite into and hold until it completely dried, in order to accurately create an impression of your teeth. While painless, the procedure itself was time consuming and uncomfortable for most patients. Once the impression of your mouth was made, your dental professional was then required to send the mold to lab technicians so they could create the physical guard or retainer. From start to finish, this process was lengthy and there were many opportunities for delays to occur. Luckily, with the help of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), dentists are able to create a 3D scan of your mouth. This technology makes it possible to create dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges, and so much more using a 3D printer.
Digital radiography: Routine dental x-rays have been around for years. However, traditional x-ray procedures required dental professionals to print and process the film manually. These scans were then placed in your physical dental file and stored in cabinets. Nowadays, digital radiography processing is quicker and more efficient. Images of your teeth are taken using a digital radiography machine before they are uploaded to a computer. The images are then saved in a digital patient file which is stored on a private, secured server. Because of this, the images are easily accessible and can be shared amongst other professionals and specialists if required, simply by using the internet to send the file through email.
Digital implant surgery: Although not widely utilized by all dental professionals just yet, due to the fact that this technology is quite new, digital implant surgery will undoubtedly change the way dental surgery is performed. Using this technology, dentists will be able to examine and pinpoint the most effective method of inserting implants in your jawbone by using an intraoral scan. This can not only provide a higher level of accuracy for the procedure, but it will also ensure that each patient receives leading care that is based on their unique needs. As a result, their recovery will be more efficient, and the outcome of their implant surgery will be more successful.
Disease screening tools: The key to effectively treating oral diseases is early diagnosis and treatment. However, for diseases such as cancer, not all warning signs or other abnormalities are identifiable with our own eyes. This is where fluorescence imaging comes into play. Using this innovative technology, fluorescence imaging allows dental professionals to observe oral abnormalities more efficiently. As a result, they are able to identify and diagnose patients earlier on, which also leads to more effective treatment and a short period of recovery.
Anesthetic wand technology: Traditionally when receiving dental work such as a filling, a dental professional will inject anesthesia into the gum area using a needle. This can be painful and cause anxiety in a lot of patients. With this innovative want technology, patients can receive anesthesia in a controlled manner that does not cause any pain in the area.
Diagnodent: Diagnodent is an innovative technological tool that enables dental professionals in identifying and diagnosing cavities early on. The tool itself employs a sound pulse and laser technology to detect the cavities. As a result, patients can receive treatment earlier on which significantly reduces the level of tooth decay.
Administrative technologies: Administrative technologies have also helped improve front of office workflows and processes. This includes scheduling appointments, sharing information between dental offices and laboratories, easier access to patient information, and so much more.
As you can see, digital dentistry has improved the dental industry and patient experiences in many ways —and this isn’t even half of it! As we can expect, in the next five to ten years, workflows and processes will advance even further as more technology is integrated into the profession.
Digital dentistry is highly important as it enables dentists and other dental professionals to enhance the service experience of all patients. From less wait times, to more accurate, comfortable oral procedures, technological advancements are meant to expedite your points of contact with your dental office while improving your oral health. At the same time, digital dentistry is also essential as it provides dentists with the tools that empowers them to identify, diagnose, and treat their patients earlier on. This can not only improve the effectiveness of the treatment, but it also ensures that patients have a more relaxing and streamlined recovery period from start to finish.
Technological breakthroughs in dental software, manufacturing processes, and oral imaging have ultimately provided dental professionals with the ability to replace traditional methods with ones that are more efficient, minimally invasive, and more comfortable for patients. However, there are several other benefits that should be known. Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages that both dental professionals and patients experience when dental offices implement advanced technologies into their daily workflow:
Accurate procedures and results
As we said, digital dentistry practices offer a higher level of accuracy in diagnosing and treating patients. From 3D scanners, to CAD/CAM imaging and manufacturing tools, to more controlled anesthesia, technological tools and softwares help simplify more complex procedures to significantly reduce the level of human error. As a result, patients are able to experience results that are more predictable and more effective in improving their overall oral health.
Enhanced patient comfort
Furthermore, digital dentistry also provides patients with experiences that are more comfortable. No more sticky teeth impressions, painful injection sites, or other uncomfortable methods and materials that are uncomfortable.
More cost effective
With enhanced workflows and efficient dental procedures, dental offices are able to improve their overall productivity while being more cost effective. This allows you to treat more patients day to day.
Efficient communication
Moreover, with digital dentistry, dental professionals and offices are able to enhance their overall communication internally and externally. By removing the need for physical oral impressions, x-rays scans, and other paperwork, dental offices are able to easily access and send information to others digitally using the internet.
As you can see, with digital dentistry, the future is now. This is why it is important that dental professionals and offices invest in these technological advancements as they come, as it will not only help them provide better care to patients, but it will also ensure that they do not get left behind.
Whether you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, or have an appointment with your dentist in the near future, understanding what your experience will be like as a patient can provide you with peace of mind beforehand and during your appointment.
When’s the last time you booked a dental appointment? At City Oasis Dental, we strive to provide patients with high-quality dental and oral care. With years of experience and the use of innovative technological practices, City Oasis Dental can help you improve your oral health and create a beautiful new smile. With family dental services, Invisalign, and dental implants, patients in the downtown Toronto area can rest assured knowing that their experience with us is important and that they will be treatmented with the utmost respect and kindness in a comfortable environment from the moment they walk through the door.
Therefore, if you require dental assistance from a dental office you canrely on, book an appointment with City Oasis Dental by filling out our online form or by giving our dental staff a call directly at 647-980-1200 for more information.
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