What exactly is digital dentistry, and how does it improve my dental care?
Like many industries, dentistry is shifting towards a digital world. Patients may have questions about how digital dentistry will improve dental care? What exactly does the word digital mean in dentistry? The advancement and miniaturization of computer hardware and imaging techniques have significantly opened new avenues to streamline and improve patient care.
What does the digital mean in digital dentistry?
Digital dentistry can describe any new dental technology or medical device that utilizes computers instead of mechanical or electrical devices. The use of digital technologies in dentistry can improve and automate some steps that may have traditionally been performed manually. These improvements can reduce mistakes and allow your dentist to focus on complex procedures.
What are some examples of digital dentistry?
Intraoral Cameras
Lightweight digital intraoral cameras can give a dentist the ability to examine a patient’s mouth thoroughly and digitally capture pictures instead of using a mirror. Digital images can help a dentist communicate and show the patients areas of the mouth or teeth that may be problematic during their oral examination. The captured images can be saved to a patient’s digital medical records, making follow up visits more efficient.
3D dental X-rays
In more advanced cases where precision X-ray imaging is insufficient, dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) can produce an even more precise image of the whole mouth including teeth, nerves, and jaw bone structures in a single scan. Using traditional X-ray imaging would require multiple evaluations. A three-dimensional (3-D) image can is generated from a single scan. Images obtained from cone beam computed tomography can improve treatment plans.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
Computer-aided technologies in dentistry have significantly improved implant dentistry techniques and manufacturing crowns. For example, before a dental implant procedure, the dentist can scan an image of the implant area to determine how the implants should be positioned and angled. The needs of patients are unique, requiring dental prosthesis to be precisely placed, improving fitment and comfort. Computer-aided manufacturing of crowns can be designed and manufactured on the same day visit and color matched to the surrounding teeth. Crowns designed with digital technology is comparable to the quality and durability of traditional techniques. Computer-aided digital technologies can significantly reduce the time you spend in the dental chair.
These are only a few examples of how digital technology is changing the way how dentistry is practice. Be sure to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to schedule your next dental appointment.
