Evolution of Dental Practice Due to Digital Technology

Dentistry, like every other area of our lives, is benefiting from the constant development of technology. Modern advancements in digital devices and processing software, as well as the development of new aesthetic materials and powerful manufacturing and prototyping tools, are causing profound changes in the dentistry industry.

Modern dental treatments have reduced the discomfort and anxiety felt by patients. Digital tools, when placed in the hands of highly trained and experienced dentists, are making dental treatments safer, more accurate, and less painful.

Changes Brought by Digital Dentistry

Although conventional dental care was effective for many years, the dental business transition to digital has begun. In the future, as technology continues to advance rapidly, digital dentistry will be even more effective and user-friendly, enabling dentists to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively than they have in the past. 

Here’s how technology improves your dental visits.

1. Intraoral Cameras

Using an intraoral scanner allows your dentist to spend less time taking impressions, reducing time and discomfort. Since taking traditional mold impressions is a tedious and uncomfortable process in any dentist’s workplace, intraoral scanners can make it faster and easier.

Your dentist can quickly generate 3D data of your mouth by scanning your oral cavity with a portable intraoral device. Dental prosthetics such as crowns and dentures can then be accurately fashioned from the data obtained in this examination.

2. Digital X-Rays

X-rays continue to play a significant role in many aspects of the day-to-day operations of the dental business. However, conventional x-rays required the development of films. This procedure was time-consuming and expensive, requiring dental offices to retain and physically distribute copies of the records.

That is no longer the case due to direct digital radiography. This cutting-edge method of X-ray examination generates digital radiographic pictures on a computer screen in a very short time. This means that you don’t have to wait longer for your X-ray results.

3. CAD/CAM Design and 3-D Printing

Both dentists and customers find the time spent waiting for restorations made in a laboratory to be highly frustrating. The lab gets goopy impressions, and while you wait for your final restoration, you have to deal with uncomfortable temporary solutions. Innovations like computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing and three-dimensional printing can help reduce these concerns. Click here to learn more about this procedure. 

Your dentist can now make many restorations in-office, from onlays and crowns to complete prostheses. They can be designed, fabricated, and implanted on the same day, saving time for both you and your dentist.

4. Dental Lasers

Dental drills are just as scary as needles. In many instances, the drill can be replaced by a dental laser instead. They can immediately cauterize wounds, which stops bleeding, lowers the risk of infection, alleviates pain, and speeds up the healing process. In addition, they can treat gum disease, remove soft tissue, reveal impacted teeth, and get teeth ready for fillings.

Aside from digital dentistry, another growing branch of dentistry is cosmetic dentistry. This involves procedures such as dental veneers, teeth whitening, and dental implants to enhance a patient’s smile. 

5. Digital Patient Records

As with any medical field, dentists must keep thorough patient notes. A dentist’s ability to maintain accurate records is crucial to providing good patient care and follow-up. However, paperwork can be a major load for dental clinics.

As a better and more efficient alternative, digital document keeping is the way to go. Patients’ accurate, up-to-date information is easier to keep and access at the point of care. Additionally, it allows the safe sharing of health records with patients or other dental clinic in New York City, reduces paperwork and administrative costs, and improves patient data privacy and security.

Conclusion

Because of the dependability and consistency of digital imaging systems, dentists can use them to diagnose diseases, anomalies, and other dental conditions. Since you will receive better care and get faster treatment, your dental health will improve, and you will be less likely to experience complications. Overall, digital dentistry may be the right choice, but you should consult your dentist first.