You don’t think much about your teeth until you don’t have them. If you’re like most people you have an inherent fear of the dentist.
Australian dentistry has come a long way since your father’s day. The modern dental office is a relaxing place filled with all kinds of high-tech wizardry.
Read on to find out what the latest advancements are in dental technology.
Tele-Dentistry
The recent pandemic brought major changes to the dental industry. Tele-dentistry came into wide usage for certain types of dental appointments. This trend is expected to continue to grow.
Dental professionals are relying on technology to communicate with patients for check-ups and follow-up appointments. This offers the convenience of virtual visits from home making regular dental visits available to more people in a cost-effective manner.
Dentists are using mobile apps to schedule, follow-up, and educate patients on dental problems and treatments.
Tele-dentistry cannot replace face-to-face appointments for diagnosis and treatment, but it does facilitate patient communication and engagement. Patients save travel and waiting time, and it provides greater access to patients with mobility problems.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental aesthetics has emerged as a big trend. Individuals are becoming more focused on their appearance and cosmetic dentistry is booming.
Treatments designed to improve a person’s smile, teeth whitening and veneers are among the most popular cosmetic dental treatments.
Cosmetic dentistry offers solutions to address typical issues such as misaligned, chipped, discolored, or irregularly shaped teeth. Fortunately, Sydney residents can easily find excellent dental care. If you are looking for a Chatswood dentist, there are many to choose from.
3-D Printing
Many dentists are already using 3-D printing. Younger dentists are adopting this technology, to save time and money.
It is most often used to create diagnostic models. By producing diagnostic models on the spot, dentists no longer have to send physical moulds out to a lab. More advanced and sophisticated printers can be used to fabricate aligners, dentures and crowns. CAD/CAM technology and intraoral scanners provide a level of precision not possible previously.
Intraoral scans take digital readings and measurements of a patient’s bite so that a 3-D model can be produced. These scans can be sent instantly either to a 3-D printing lab or to the dentist’s own in-house lab.
In addition to digital models, 3-D printers are used for surgical guides, digital dentures, and night guards.
Dental 3-D printing has proven to be cheaper, less time-consuming, more comfortable, and provides better clinical, medical, and aesthetic results.
Advanced Dental Implants
Dental implants are a highly popular dental technique to replace missing teeth. The technology of dental implants has changed in several ways.
Titanium has been the industry standard. It has a proven track record of biocompatibility and strength. Zirconia offers a closer colour match to natural teeth than titanium, making it ideal in situations where aesthetics are important.
A new material PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is lighter in weight and more manoeuvrable. It is often the choice when patients want something more comfortable.
Advancements in implant materials have transformed modern dentistry.
