Dental anxiety affects about 36% of Americans.
Thankfully, as technology in dentistry advances, patients are discovering that going to the dentist is a lot more enjoyable than it used to be. Dentist visits today are less invasive, with the help of digital X-rays, and lasers that can detect even the best-hidden cavities. Not only are dental visits more gentle than they used to be, but they’re also faster, and more productive.
If you’ve been dreading scheduling your next cleaning or check-up, then this article’s for you. In this guide, we’ll explore 3 types of technology that are helping patients feel at ease at the dentist.
How is technology used in dentistry? Read on to find out!
1. X-Ray Technology in Dentistry
First, let’s look at how X-ray technology in dentistry is continuing to evolve. Today, instead of relying on traditional X-ray methods, a lot of dentists are turning to digitalized X-rays. One of the best parts about going digital is that the X-rays wind up being more efficient.
Instead of using film, your dentist’s office will place an electronic sensor in your mouth to capture the image. Next, the digital image is scanned to a computer so it can be viewed. Since there’s no wait time for a film to be processed, the X-rays are ready in a matter of seconds.
2. Cavity Seeking Lasers
Next, let’s take a peek at the advancements regarding laser technology in dentistry. Previously, dentists had to use an instrument called an “explorer” to find cavities in your mouth.
Using the explorer, they’d poke around your mouth to see if there are any potential cavities and tooth decay. The cavity exploration process is uncomfortable, tedious, and not always efficient.
Thankfully, now a lot of dentists are making the switch to high-tech 3d laser scanners to improve the patient experience. The lasers are capable of detecting decay in the grooves of your chewing surfaces.
If it’s been a while since your last dental visit, go ahead and schedule a cleaning today. By catching cavities early on, it’s easy to fill them before they grow into a bigger problem that requires a root canal or extraction.
3. CAD and CAM Updates
Moving on, updates in CAD/CAM will help you have fewer dental visits. CAD stands for computer-assisted design, and CAM stands for Computer-aided machining. Together CAD/CAM helps dental offices and laboratories manufacture things like crowns.
In the past, when you needed a crown your dentist would have to make a mold of your tooth and create a temporary crown. Next, your dentist would send the mold off to a dental laboratory and you’d have to wait while a permanent crown was made. However today, thanks to CAD/CAM technology, a machine can make your crown right there in the dentist’s office on the same day!
Enjoy Miles of Smiles
Understanding the advancements of technology in dentistry means being able to feel at ease during your next dental visit. Remember, the sooner you can catch a dental issue, such as a cavity, the easier it’ll be to fix it.
If you haven’t had a cleaning in the last 6 months, go ahead and schedule one with a local dentist today. When you schedule your appointment, double-check that the office uses lasers to detect cavities and not an outdated exploration tool. For more ways to make life better, check out the rest of this site.