Improved dental technology makes appointments quick and easy.
Remember when it took you weeks to research a subject at the library? The internet and Google have changed all that. Now, that weeks’ worth of research can get accomplished in hours.
There’s no doubt Google has changed our lives. That’s not the only aspect of our lives technology is revolutionizing, though. It’s also making trips to the dentist easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
Read on to learn 10 ways dental technology has improved patient care and experience.
1. Effective Pain Management
It’s in our nature to seek out pleasure and avoid pain. With that in mind, it only makes sense for dentists to want to manage a patient’s pain. The dental field has options when it comes to pain management. Here are some of the most common techniques:
- Local anesthetics (numbing agents)
- Analgesics (pain killers)
- In-office sedation when the procedure is major
During most procedures, you should only feel pressure rather than pain.
2. A Fast and Accurate Diagnosis
In the past, it was difficult to determine the inner condition of each tooth. Now, X-rays give a clear picture of how your teeth and gums are doing.
Over the past several years, X-ray technology has improved tremendously. Now, your results appear on a computer within seconds. Digital X-ray cameras continue to be more accurate and smaller each passing year. On top of that, newer technologies are safer. The American Dental Association confirms that radiation exposure from digital X-rays is low. Newer digital imaging technologies reduce radiation exposure by 40–60%.
This type of dental technology makes the diagnosis process easy, fast, and efficient. Who doesn’t love that?
3. Less Invasive Procedures
Dental technology has allowed for minimally invasive treatment options. There’s no drilling involved in air abrasion or sealants, for example. Both of these options help restore teeth with the least amount of discomfort possible. Cerec machines and iTero Scanners are also helping patients feel more comfortable. These machines make impressions of your teeth with 3D scans.
When given a choice, most patients prefer less invasive procedures.
4. Saving time means saving money.
As the old adage goes “Time is money,” right? New dentistry technology is consistent in saving time for both dentists and patients.
Patients are much happier when they don’t have to wait for a diagnosis. They also don’t want to waste time waiting for an expert to look at their X-rays. Now, new X-ray technology allows dentists to see results in an instant. Here are a few other types of dental technology that are saving patients time:
- No-needle anesthesia
- Laser dentistry (no drills)
- Digital impressions
- 360-degree digital imaging X-ray machines
- Handheld X-ray machines
- 3D printers
These tools all lead to a better patient experience.
5. Automated reminders keep patients informed.
Six months is a long time between dental visits, and a lot of life happens in that time. It’s all too easy to forget about dental appointments, but technology is changing that.
Now, dentist offices can use automated reminders to keep patients informed. This may come in the form of automated calls, text messages, or e-mails. Patients appreciate this type of effort because it helps them keep their appointments.
Dentists can also use this technology to enhance your experience even more. They can send out thank you notes after a visit or even happy birthday messages.
6. Building Trust
Who do you think patients trust more—an educated dentist or the internet? The answer may come as a shock, but the modern-day human trusts computers more than dentists. New dental technologies in the office build trust between the dentist and the patient. Patients feel more confident knowing their diagnosis is informed by a body of work created by a broad number of health professionals.
7. Personalized Care Plans
The average time between dental visits is often six months. While this works for most people, it’s not a care plan that should be applied across the board.
Some individuals take care of their teeth very well and have no inherited or existing difficulties with oral health. Are you one of them? If so, the six-month guideline likely works for you.
Are you a smoker? Do you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or soda? Do you suffer from gum disease? If any of the above apply, then you may need a more personalized plan.
You may need to schedule a visit every three months. Your dentist can help make smarter recommendations, thanks to new technology.
8. Fewer Dental Visits
In the past, a lot of damaged teeth meant several trips to the dentist. Today, technology allows for much faster procedures. Most procedures, like crowns, can be done the same day you visit the office. Dental scanners are making faster treatments possible. If you need advanced care, everything can be accomplished in one surgery. You also won’t have to suffer through months of temporary solutions.
9. Staying up-to-date increases a patient’s confidence.
When you visit your dentist and see modern-day tech, it most likely makes you feel more secure. A dentist office that invests in the latest dental tools and technology shows it cares about its patients.
It also proves that the office invests in your health.
10. Choices, Choices, Choices
There aren’t too many people who enjoy getting told what to do. As humans, we like to have choices—or, at the very least, the illusion of choice.
That’s another way dental technology has helped improve a patient’s experience. In the past, people felt compelled to obey a dentist’s recommendation, even if they didn’t agree with it. Now, dentists can provide patients with valuable information and give them the ability to choose. This freedom of choice leaves patients feeling more comfortable and satisfied.
How Dental Technology Is Paving the Way for the Future
The dental technology available today continues to help improve a patient’s experience. Despite that, there’s always room for improvement in the field. In fact, scientists are now working on ways for us to regrow lost or damaged teeth!
You shouldn’t use that as an excuse to not keep your teeth clean, though. Without proper maintenance, everyone’s smile will suffer. Reach out to our office now to request an appointment. Together, we’ll develop a care plan for your teeth that’ll keep your smile bright and glowing.
