Technology has been reshaping the world across the entire spectrum. It has been growing, evolving, and changing with time. Similarly, dental technology has been changing rapidly over the past few years, and it can be hard to keep up with all of the new gadgets and tools that are coming out. Technology is also helping improve communication between the patient and the dentist and streamline the treatment process. It is helping to improve patient health and take care of beautiful smiles with Invisalign treatment. Here are a few tools and pieces of technology that are changing the landscape of dentistry.
Clear aligner therapy
Clear Aligner Therapy, or CAT, is a new alternative to dental braces. It works by using clear plastic aligners that you wear over your teeth to gradually move them into the right position. You can have CAT as an alternative to traditional metal braces or in conjunction with them. The main benefit of clear aligners is that they’re almost invisible. This means you can get the same results as traditional metal braces but with less social stigma and hassle! This is good news for everyone who has always wanted braces but has been reluctant due to their appearance. The average cost of Invisalign Treatment in the US is around $5,000, but it varies from state to state. For instance, the average cost of Invisalign Treatment in Utah is around $4,000, but Invisalign Treatment in West Coastal Florida costs as low as $3,000.
Intraoral scans
This new technology allows dentists to take 3D images of your teeth and gums. The images are taken by a small, handheld scanner that rotates around the surface of your mouth. These scans can then be used as reference points when designing a custom-made dental restoration or prosthesis. The process takes only a few minutes and requires no messy impressions or molds, saving you both time and money! Intraoral scans provide an accurate depiction of the condition of your teeth, allowing dentists to provide you with treatment options faster.
Electric handpieces
Electric handpieces are the next big thing in dentistry, and they’re changing the game. Electric handpieces allow for more precise work than manual ones because they’re easier to control, making it safer for both the patient and the dentist. The technology is also much more powerful than manual devices, so you can get the job done faster—and with less effort. Electric handpieces can be used for cleaning teeth, drilling cavities, and polishing them after treatment.
Cone beam CT scanners
Cone beam CT scanners are a type of x-ray that uses highly focused x-ray beams to produce cross-sectional images of the teeth and jaw. Cone beam CT scanners are used in dentistry to look inside the body and analyze soft tissues like muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments. The technology also allows doctors to see abnormalities with great detail and accuracy, which can help diagnose problems early on or even before they occur.
Rotary endodontic files
Rotary files are used to clean the root canal. They are made of hard metal and have a spiral shape that allows them to be rotated inside the canal. Rotary files work in conjunction with an endodontic irrigator, which is a machine that uses water pressure to push the file along its path while also flushing out debris. The rotary file is small enough to fit inside your tooth but big enough not to get stuck on every turn it makes through your canal. It can rotate at different speeds, depending on how far into the root you’re working. Its ability to vibrate (turn rapidly) makes it ideal for cleansing out tight spaces.
Guided implant surgery
Guided implant surgery is a technique that allows for minimally invasive surgery with 3D imaging of the jaw and bone. A cone beam CT scan is used to plan the surgery, which can be done in a single visit. The implant is inserted through an incision about 1 mm long and takes less than 5 minutes to place into the jawbone. This procedure typically requires no stitches or sutures as well! Conventional dental implants require at least two visits: one to place a post into your jawbone and another to place an actual implant crown on top of it (this process can take up to 4 hours). With guided implant surgery, you’re able to do all three steps—implant placement, post-placement, and crown placement—in just one visit!
CAD/CAM technology
CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology is used to fabricate crowns and bridges in a laboratory. This process allows for a more efficient way of making crowns and bridges, which results in fewer appointments for patients. The technician will take an impression of your teeth using a special tray that is placed against your gums. The impression is sent to the lab, where it’s scanned so that they can create exact digital models of your teeth. Your dentist will approve these digital models before they’re put into production, allowing them to make any necessary changes before anything goes into production. Once approved, CAD/CAM technology produces CAD-fabricated crowns or CAD-fabricated bridge frameworks, which are then sent back to the office, where they’re placed on your teeth by the technicians!
3D radiographic imaging
In dentistry, x-ray imaging is a painless, non-invasive, and low-cost way to diagnose and treat problems. An everyday use of x-rays is to determine the size, position, and number of teeth in a patient’s mouth. While this information can be determined from 2D images (like traditional film), it’s important for dentists to have as much information as possible when planning treatment. 3D radiographic imaging allows dentists to see the teeth in three dimensions without having any radiation exposure whatsoever! They can use this technology not only during diagnosis but also during treatment planning so they can make sure they’re making decisions that are best for each individual patient.
Conclusion
Technology is changing the dental industry, and it will continue to do so. From making the treatments invasive and faster to provide better solutions, technology is reshaping the landscape of the dental industry and is making the lives of dentists and patients easier every single day.
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