Digital technology is part of many practices because it provides tools for dentists to provide accurate diagnoses and treatments, making it more approachable for patients to receive their care. For dentists, advances in technology provided more accurate outcomes, less guesswork when diagnosing conditions, and better communication with their patients when expecting treatment. For patients looking into dentistry as a career or for those generally interested in dentistry overall, it’s important to know how digital technology has influenced dental practices and their approaches to dental care.
How Has Digital Technology Influenced Dentistry?
Digital technology plays a significant role in many dental practices today, often because they’re able to provide more accurate imaging, scans, and analysis of any presiding oral conditions. For instance, dental imaging creates clear, precise images of the oral cavity in a 3D environment. These dental images can be viewed from any angle and can be easily transferred to other specialists or given to patients to point out problem areas and discuss treatment options. But dental imaging doesn’t just provide accurate scans – it also helps set expectations from treatment options, helping patients better understand the condition at hand and help control high expectations.
Digital technology, through its accuracy, allows patients to have a better overall experience because of the control over these expectations. An example of this can include teeth whitening treatments and veneer treatments, where dentists can provide previews of different tooth shades before performing the actual procedure. Digital technology creates a meeting place for both the dentist and their patient in ensuring expectations are met from a realistic point of view. Overall, digital technology can provide outcome previews, demonstrate multiple treatment options, set patient expectations, and help ease patients’ concerns and prevent overall treatment failure.
Dentists like Dr. Martin, are able to clearly visualize the differences in results, help remove or treat the affected areas and effectively plan out care in a professional setting. Some more examples of digital technology include:
- Computer-Aided Manufacturing: This form of technology allows dentists to fabricate dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, inlays, and onlays with computerized milling technology.
- Intraoral Scanners: These scanners help provide accurate images of the teeth and supporting structures and help guide patients for better brushing and flossing practices.
- Cone Beam Computerized Technology: Through CBCT technology, dentists are able to get a quick 3-D image of a patient’s oral or maxillofacial anatomy for implants.
- Digital X-Rays: Digital x-rays provide greater comfort than traditional x-rays and capture dental images through a sensor and process those images onto a computer screen for easy viewing and analysis.
Contact Dr. Martin For Additional Guidance
The results of all these types of technologies create a better experience for everyone involved. Through these innovations, they’ve provided greater success in all areas of dental treatment and provide higher quality assurance for patients with severe dental problems and concerns about their treatments. If you are curious about the impact of dental technology or need a regular checkup and cleaning, speak with Dr. Martin today to learn more.