Dental technology: Has your dentist made it to the 21st century?
Dental technology: Has your dentist made it to the 21st century
?
As we near the end of 2010, I can't help but think about how far dentistry has come. Many dental offices take care to utilize the most advanced technology available in order to provide their patients with the best treatment modern care has to offer.
One exciting piece of technology available to dentists today is called an intra-oral camera. This device helps your dentist detect any of your dental problems early, and early detection will help to prevent pain that can happen if the problem is left to worsen. For example, dental abscesses happen when a pus-filled swelling appears near a tooth. At the point where you develop an abscess, infection has set in and this infection will need to be treated before the tooth can be fixed. This can cause pain, discomfort and a delay in treatment while you wait for the infection to heal. Early detection aided by technology such as an intra-oral camera helps to prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort.
An intra-oral camera is a tiny digital camera that can be moved around your mouth easily and painlessly. The camera allows your dentist to spot problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye, such as cracks in old silver fillings or fractures in your tooth. The images taken by the camera are projected on to a television so the dentist can easily examine the pictures of your teeth and show them to you as well so that you can be well-informed of the status of your dental health.
Another exciting piece of technology that dentists can use today is called a Diagnodent. This device is used for laser cavity detection. With the naked eye, it can be difficult to locate and diagnose cavities, especially small spots of decay located in the pits and grooves of the back teeth.
The Diagnodent works by scanning your teeth with harmless pulses of light that bounce back to the sensor and alert your dentist when decay is present. The benefit of using the Diagnodent to diagnose cavities is that it locates decay at a very early stage, making it much easier for your dentist to repair your tooth. Smaller cavities are less costly to fill and more of your natural tooth is preserved versus having to have a large filling placed in your tooth.
Digital x-rays are also a newer technology being utilized by many dentists today. There are several advantages to using digital x-rays. They are much faster to complete than traditional film x-rays since there is no developing time. The images are instantaneously ready for your dentist to view. Patients also appreciate the fact that they are much safer since there is 90% less radiation given off than in traditional film x-rays.
People who are environmentally-aware also appreciate the fact that digital x-rays are more "green" than traditional x-rays. They do not harm the environment or cause any waste. Dentists also like the fact that the digital x-rays can be enhanced and manipulated on the computer to make viewing easier and clearer. The digital x-rays are stored electronically and can be e-mailed to your insurance company or a specialist you may need to visit.
Next time you visit your dentist, make sure to ask what new technology he or she finds most exciting and useful. Visiting a dentist who utilizes some of these new technologies will only benefit your dental health and help ensure you receive the best care possible.
Bright Side Dental is a dental group with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit www.BrightSideDental.com.
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