Digital Dentistry: How Technology Is Transforming Dental Care in Melbourne
The city of Melbourne is one of the most advanced cities when it comes to research and manufacturing, among many other things. Compared to other cities in the world, they’re hailed as one of the ideal cities to retire in because of the quality of life. When it comes to the field of dentistry, they offer impressive services that are made even better with modern technology. For today’s article, we’ll discuss how digital dentistry and technology are transforming dental care in Melbourne.
Treatment planning and diagnostics are revolutionized.
Digital dentistry has been a game-changer for both dentists and patients alike. We’ve come a long way from practicing traditional treatment procedures to the present, thanks to the introduction of several innovations such as the following:
Intraoral scanners vividly capture dental imprints. Compared to the olden days when dental impressions were messy and uncomfortable, the advent of intraoral scanners has astronomically improved patient experience. This invention produces detailed and accurate 3D impressions of your teeth and gums—so you can say goodbye to elastomers, polyethers, and other uncomfortable materials that were traditionally used back then. Because of this, Toorak Dentists and other dental professionals can produce accurate impressions of your teeth, enabling them to make a more accurate diagnosis and precise designs of your dentures, dental implants, and the like, thus improving treatment procedures.
Computer-aided design and manufacturing improved efficiency. CAD/CAM technology is also tied to the innovation above that improved digital dentistry. Given the delicacy and uniqueness of each tooth, designing veneers, crowns, and implants has become much easier. Additionally, it also cuts the production time and eliminates the need for patients to return to have their dental plates.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) introduced crisp 3D imagery. Aside from your teeth, dentists also check your jaws and gums for potential problems. CBCT made this easier for them since this technology allows them to check the jawbone and other surrounding structures in your mouth by providing advanced 3D imaging capabilities. This innovation has made significant improvements in certain procedures like root canals, oral surgery, implants, and other guided surgery.
Minimally invasive procedures thanks to new technology.
If we compare the traditional methods to the current dental practices, the former is almost brutal, given how patients are expected to sit through such an ordeal. Now, preparation, procedures, and treatments have improved, which benefits both dentists and patients.
Laser dentistry. The introduction of lasers into the field of dentistry has been a game-changer; they’re used in different dental procedures like cavity preparation and gum surgery, the latter much needed for patients who want to address their gum diseases in their early stages. The gums are often overlooked by many, which can be pretty alarming since tartar buildup can develop quickly. This can be avoided as long as patients religiously practice dental healthcare and undertake healthy diets, preventing cavities and gum disease.
Compared to traditional methods, laser dentistry not only enables dentists to perform with such accuracy but there’s also lesser pain and minimal bleeding. Patients also report how their recovery period is shorter compared to when they underwent traditional methods.
Digital smile design. Another great contribution to digital dentistry is digital smile design. This feature allows patients to visualize their desired smile before proceeding with treatment. The image is borne out of digital imaging and software and allows dentists to create a personalized treatment plan to address their patient’s desired aesthetic. If you’ve been experiencing severe tooth decay and want to adopt a new smile through veneers or implants, you can now do so, thanks to digital smile design.
Guided surgery. Guided surgery is less invasive and decreases surgical time, thanks to the combination of 3D imagery and computer-generated guides. It’s commonly used in dental implants where success rates are much higher compared to the previous methods. For patients who require sudden surgery due to unlikely events, running straight to up-to-date dental clinics like an emergency dentist will help address your concerns promptly, thanks to this technology.
Patient experience has significantly improved.
Teledentistry. When the pandemic struck, many patients were forced to abandon their routine dental check-ups, and some had it worse; the implementation of no-contact and strict health guidelines forced them to endure their oral concerns. To address this concern, teledentistry was born, enabling patients to have easier access to oral healthcare via virtual consultations and appointments with their dentists regarding their concerns. Now, many patients opt for this alternative since it saves them the time, effort, and money needed for dental checkups unless they’re required to come in by the dentist.
Enhanced communication. In line with the above-mentioned, access to oral care has become more accessible, with a big portion of it thanks to digital technologies. These innovations allow better communication between patients and dentists, while 3D imaging and simulations help patients understand the procedure. As a result, they can make informed decisions about how to proceed with their dental health.
Reduced treatment time. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: one of the best things that came out of digital dentistry is reduced treatment time. This is a win, especially for patients who suffer from dental anxiety. Now, many dental procedures can be streamlined thanks to digital innovations, which not only reduce chair time but also translate to greater convenience.
Increased comfort. The traditional methods in dentistry use evidence-based practices and treatments that are quite painful and uncomfortable most times. But that’s not all; one of its biggest drawbacks is that it also requires a lot of time for preparation and material gathering. But thanks to digital dentistry, we have already said goodbye to these almost-brutal methods of treatment. We’ve eliminated the use of polyethers to get messy dental impressions because now, we have intraoral scanners to do the job. Laser treatment allows for precise treatment, minimizing bleeding.
But if we’re being honest, researchers and innovators have barely scratched the surface of what technology can do. With that said, we can expect more innovations and improved treatment procedures in the future, which will further improve the field of dentistry.