Dental technology is constantly changing. Every year there is a new item that is better than the last one for the dentist to try. Just about all this new technology is based on how to make it easier for and more comfortable for the patient and the dentist. Things have changed so much over the years from the type of anesthetic used to the way the dental staff dress! As patients, we spit out the water that was sprayed in our mouths into a cuspidor and drooled like a baby because we were so numb. There was no mention of being comfortable or painless injections. As dentist trends and advances in technology started becoming sought out by the dentist it became a fad to offer clean and pain-free dentistry. Dental materials, anaesthetics, instruments, and other sterilization techniques have advanced so much in the last few years that most of them are not fads but things the dentist will try to ease the pain and discomfort of dental care. The purpose of this article is to discuss these changes in detail.
New Technology
New technology is available for most all products in dentistry but most recently, laser technology has been used in eye care, back surgery, and other minor surgeries such as cauterization. It has been being developed for dentistry for a few years now and is finally being implemented in some procedures. The dentist and staff can take classes to learn how to use the machines. Some minor decay can be removed with the laser or reshaping the gum line can be done because it will cauterize the tissue as it cuts and reshapes. Laser usage is fairly new to dentistry but it is being developed every day. Dental procedures are basically the same but how they are administered is the key to what patients want. The fads or trends seem to change every few years.
The dentist will either follow those trends and go with the flow or they will pick and chose what they want to do to attract new patients and make their existing patients more comfortable. The dentist even offer incentives such as free whitening and spa treatments with several incentive plans that will be offered by the dentist as the treatment plan is completed. As always, insurance companies are ever changing as well so the need to keep up to date with treatments and procedures is imperative to getting insurance payments in a timely manner. Education is important as well to the dentist and the staff.
Going Digital
The internet is another area of change in the dental practice. Creating a social media account is a huge way to advertise for free. Having a website and informational platforms for patients exclusively is a way to make the patient feel like it is special information just for them for signing up to their dentist office’s platform. Making live videos of new technology being used in the dentist office is starting to catch on. The dentist personally addressing certain issues that a patient may have will link the patient to him or her. Youtube videos of oral hygiene instruction or self-help videos are all the rage today for kids and people wanting to avoid going to the dentist for minor problems. The patient can type in any subject in the search menu bar and come up with an answer for their concern. From post-operative instructions to how to pick the right toothpaste for their need.
These videos and or postings can create a great sense of personal connection within the patient community. There is a sense of getting specialized treatment and familiarity when the conversations lead to the postings.
New Materials
Dental materials have been changing since they were developed. New materials make taking impressions more comfortable for the patient and easier on the assistant taking the impressions. The mixing of the material has changed a great deal. It used to be that the two types of material were a catalyst and a base. Mixing the two together made the impression material set up. The chemical reactions, as well as the warmth of the patient’s mouth, made the material set up. This could often times take up to six minutes making the patient gag while the assistant held the tray with the awful material oozing out of the tray and onto their hands and then if the impression didn’t have the required anatomy present, they would start over with the whole process. Changes in this area of dentistry were very welcomed by both patient and assistant alike. The development of materials that: set up quicker, have a pleasant odor, and nice flavor are the ones that patients enjoy if they have to have such procedures done. Even 3D printing can alleviate some procedures that require extensive impressions, drilling, and less time in the dental chair.
Advancements in Dental Implants
Dental implants have been around for quite a few years but have recently become more available as the technology has been streamlined and easier to accomplish with new techniques and developments. Fixing a missing tooth back in the day would mean that two natural teeth would have to be altered to fit a bridge between them. Placing an implant will only remove a small amount of the bone not reconstruct the other teeth. For denture placement, using an implant will help secure it to the dental arch for better retention. Dental implants are another newly advanced procedure in dentistry for the upcoming year.
Financing Options
Creating in house financing is another change in the dental community as the fees for service increase there is a need for financing the cost of the dental procedures. Even if an insurance company is involved there are still deductibles and fees that aren’t covered or simply only covered at a certain percent. The out of pocket costs can be expensive for the patient and hard to come up with. Financing options or care plans are a great way to introduce a customized patient comfort zone. Not all the pain is from the actual procedure.
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!
All the changes and advances in dentistry are for the better. If the dentist doesn’t want to progress forward and keep up with the ever-changing technology, then they just won’t be up to date. Some patients like this stability, however, newer more advanced techniques are better for the new generation. That toothache or missing tooth replacement procedure has changed plenty of smiles and confidence levels around the world. Dentistry has come a long way forward in the last 100 years. Let’s see how much it changes in the next!
Orsatti Dental in San Antonio is constantly pushing the envelope and introducing newly released technologies and techniques that improve the overall quality of their patients’ care. From humble roots and a dream to an established San Antonio Dentist, Dr. Orsatti and Orsatti Dental provide compassionate dental care!