What Impact Does the Latest Dental Technology Have On Treatments?

As an experienced dentist, one of the most impactful pieces of technology we've incorporated into our practice is digital scanning and 3D imaging. This technology has transformed how we plan treatments, especially for procedures like crowns, implants, and orthodontics. With digital scans, we no longer have to rely on messy, uncomfortable molds for patients. Instead, we get precise, real-time images of a patient's teeth and jaw. This has not only improved the accuracy of our treatments but also made the process much more comfortable and efficient for our patients.

The introduction of laser dentistry has also been a game-changer. It allows us to perform procedures with less pain and faster recovery times. Whether it's for gum reshaping or cavity treatment, the laser offers a minimally invasive option, which patients really appreciate. These technologies have allowed us to provide higher-quality care, reduce treatment times, and give patients a much better experience overall.

Probably the best technology step we've taken in the past 10 years is going all-digital. With a cloud-based practice management system and digital records, access to all the patient's information and progress has helped in many ways. The biggest help I've noticed is communication, including with the patient, insurance companies, and other dental professionals. We can easily review in the office or even over Zoom/internet with patients why we prescribed certain treatments and how they are progressing. We can easily help the patient visualize any concerns they have and address specific questions about treatment easier. This was especially helpful with our Invisalign and braces treatments, as digital scans made before and during treatment make it very easy to show changes we have made and why. Working with other professionals has also become much easier. Gathering records to send can now be done in minutes with only a few keyboard clicks, instantly giving the other Dr. access to information that we have. Submitting claims to insurance companies is much more efficient as submissions, communications, and EOBs are all in one place rather than a pile of papers that can easily be lost or misplaced.

Dental technology makes everything better! We took an outdated practice and implemented intraoral cameras, CBCT, intraoral impression scanning, electric handpieces, and practice management software. For both the patient and the dentist, the result is more predictable and efficient treatment.

Cameras allow us to not only document better but gain trust and commitment from the patient after they see their issue explained through a large, color image. CBCT allows us to see hidden issues, plan RCTs and implants better. Digital scanning eliminates the discomfort of PVS impressions and also increases accuracy and predictability. We check our post-prep scans for margins and clearance—having the ability to discern 0.1 mm on a screen—is better than any look with the naked eye. Our results speak for themselves—we rarely have to do adjustments or have crowns break, and our seat appointments are less than 15 minutes. Electric handpieces allow us to work quicker with fewer strokes. They may be a touch quieter than some air-driven, but that is not the selling point. We can prep everything faster, which makes the patient in the chair for less time—a win-win for both of us.

Lastly, having robust, up-to-date practice management software makes a world of difference in how your practice is being run by your staff. So many aspects of patient communication and processes were fragmented in the past, whereas now the big companies have brought scheduling, billing, communication, etc., all under the same platform. This keeps patient information more at the fingertips of who needs it, increases quality of patient care, and increases efficiencies in scheduling and billing.

Next stop, 3D printing. Cheers!

CBCT and intraoral scanner were recently added to our clinic. We can plan our implant treatments in detail before surgery. Thanks to the surgical guides we have made, it has enabled us to perform a treatment much closer to perfect positioning. Also, thanks to intraoral scanners, our treatment speed and accuracy have increased.

For our patients who have lost all their teeth, the fear of being toothless is a great source of anxiety. However, we help them leave this fear behind, thanks to advanced technologies, such as CBCT and iOS, that we use in our clinic. Thanks to these technologies, treatment planning is done precisely, and implants are placed with millimeter precision, thanks to the guide plate. Thanks to a temporary prosthesis throughout the treatment, our patient was never toothless, so she both eliminated her aesthetic concerns and continued her social life uninterruptedly. As a result, our patient gained not only a new smile but also self-confidence and quality of life. In our clinic, we offer not only treatment but also psychological support to our patients, enabling them to overcome this difficult process more easily.