Technology touches almost everything we do daily. The same is true for dentistry: the way our mouth and teeth are examined and treated has changed considerably over the past 10 years. Digital X-rays, high-speed cameras, and 3-D printing are examples of the rapidly changing way dentists care for their patients.
Diagnosing
The first thing we usually do in a dental office is get our teeth X-rayed. Most offices now do this digitally rather than using film. Digital X-rays provide better and clearer images that can be enlarged and adjusted easily. The X-ray unit can even be portable. They utilize less radiation than film X-rays and can be viewed immediately on a computer.
Another diagnostic tool is the Dental Cone Beam CT scanner. This special X-ray is used when regular ones won’t work. The Dental Cone Beam produces three-dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, bone, and mouth in a single scan. These images are used for placing implants and during difficult root canals or complicated extractions.
Treatment
Technology has not replaced the dental drill but many other procedures have changed. Many offices utilize a high-speed digital camera to record images of our teeth in order to design and make crowns and dentures.
This high-speed camera replaces the putty that dentists used to use to make molds of the mouth. The digital image is more accurate and more comfortable for the patient than the putty impressions. With the proper computer software, the crown or denture can be immediately designed in-office by the dentist on a computer and then transmitted to a 3-D printer that works in conjunction with the digital impressions and Dental Cone Beam images to create dental appliances.
New technology is making the delivery of dental care more accurate, comfortable, and efficient. Applications are rapidly expanding in the dental office. Check with your dentist to see what is new in their office and what is expected in the near future.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
