The thought of going to a dentist sends a chill down our spine. The mere thought of prolonged drilling, painful procedures and discomfort can stress a patient. How we wish there could be better and painless ways to conduct those periodical as well as surgical dental procedures at a dental clinic. Researchers and medical scientists around the world are working tirelessly to improve dental procedures.
Every growing technology is playing a vital role in major discoveries and breakthroughs in the medical field. Over the past decade or so, phenomenal advancement has been seen both in understanding health conditions and successfully treating them. There have been major developments in Dental technology as well resulting in better quality of treatment and enhanced comfort of the patient. So here are some of the best technological advancements in the field of dentistry that have changed the way dentists treat their patients.
Digital Dental imaging and X-rays
Dental X-ray is an important aid to identify the areas of tooth cavities, periodontal diseases; abnormal growth of a tooth etc. Digital dental imaging and X-rays are fast replacing the traditional methods. X-ray sensors in digital radiology produce high resolution computer images that the dentist can immediately access and proceed with the treatment. The dentists are increasingly adopting digital X-rays to better diagnose, treat or monitor the oral health of the patient. The digital dental radiographs are especially useful for root canal procedures and other orthodontic treatments. As compared to conventional radiography techniques, there is much less exposure to radiation in dental X-rays. In fact, the radiation exposure in a digital Dental X-ray is 1/6 th of the traditional film X-ray procedure. Digital X-ray images are easily transferable and accessible for future references, second opinions and insurance company claims.
Laser dentistry
Laser dentistry is the minimally invasive procedure for treating a variety of oral issues, such as cavities, gum disease or reshaping, root canal infections, oral tumors etc. Mostly, the laser dental treatments do not require anesthesia and trigger no pain. Laser dentistry can be classified under two categories, soft tissue and hard tissue treatment. Hard tissue treatment procedures include dental fillings, cavity detection, tooth preparation or shaping, while soft tissue procedures takes care of gum reshaping, frenectomy of attached gum muscles, nerve regeneration etc.
Laser dentistry is fast paced, incurs minimal hassle and can alleviate any bacteria or infection during the procedure, so that there is no further complications post treatment.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are slender, custom-built tooth-colored porcelain laminated shells intended to cover the front surface of a crooked or unappealing tooth. Mostly used for improving aesthetic appearances, the Dental veneers are capable of changing the shape, length, color of the teeth. The thin dental veneers are gaining popularity for many reasons than the convention thick veneers. These thin veneers are applicable with minimal preparation of the tooth and are attached to a bigger, sturdier natural tooth, as compared to the thicker versions.
Leading dentists around the world recommend veneers to enhance your smile. Though presently this procedure costs much higher than teeth whitening, with technological advancement we may soon see better and cost effective veneers.
Invisalign Braces
Invisalign braces are the best alternative to metal braces. These virtually invisible aligners fit snugly over the teeth, and ingeniously improve your smile. Invisalign braces gently and effectively straighten your teeth sans the hassle of wearing the metal braces. These clear, thin braces are also custom-trimmed for the gum line, to enhance comfort and appearance. Invisalign braces are FDA-approved and latex/BPA/gluten free. The braces are easy to detach and cleaned and do not require a restriction on eating habits. The straightening treatment with Invisalign braces generally gives results in 12 months for most adults; however, the actual time may vary from person to person.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed for the prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. These implants are a surgical fixture placed into the jawbone and fused with the bone to mimic a natural tooth. The goal of dental implants in dentistry is to restore healthy functioning of teeth, as well as aesthetics. The procedure of dental implants does not generally affect or alter the adjacent teeth. The dental implants can serve the purpose of replacing a single tooth or several teeth. According to the American Dental Association, two types of implants are considered as safe, viz. Endosteal implants and Subperiosteal implants.
3 D printed dentures
3 D printing is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. Researchers from Buffalo university are studying how this technology can be used to make custom made dentures. A superior drug mixture of Amphotericin B with acrylamide is contained in microcapsules.
The drugs are slowly released while the 3 D printer prints out the dentures. This innovative technology helps the dentures to be far more resistant to fungal or bacterial growth. The cost of dentures and the production would drastically come down if 3 D printing is vastly accepted by dentists. but how used?need 1-2 lines
These and many other innovations in dental technology are making the lives of people pain free and more comfortable. While some of these technologies are already in use, some others are yet to be introduced to the common user. So the next time you get into a dentist chair, remember better machines, technology and procedures are available to put you at ease.
