In the 21st century, very little is done in dentistry without technology. Keeping up with the latest technological advancement is an essential measure every dental practice would want to adhere to. On this healthcare journey, patients expect service providers to conform to the transformation.
The exciting part is that 4 in 5 dentists in the UK admit to the flexibility technology offers in their practice. Here is how technology is changing dentistry.
Next-generation diagnosis and treatment
The sound of whirling dental drills is gradually becoming a thing of the past. It is giving way to soft tissue lasers that cut through the gum with absolute precision. Currently, these medical-grade lasers are used for minor gum surgeries in the dentist’s office. However, there is hope for these soft tissue lasers as research continues. In the meantime, there is talk of hard tissue lasers intended to completely replace the traditional dentist drilling machine. These lasers are silent and likely to eliminate the fear some people associate with drills.
Furthermore, away from lasers, the introduction of biomaterials to seal dental cavities is a great discovery. A few years ago, a collaboration between the University of Nottingham and Harvard yielded life-changing results. The two institutions created an artificial biomaterial that stimulates cavities to self-heal. This groundbreaking discovery is expected to make a huge impact on root canal treatments. In the area of diagnosis, modern technology makes it possible to detect the early stages of oral cancer. This is made possible by the VELscope device, which analyses oral tissue changes. The exciting part about next-generation diagnosis is that it helps to improve people’s quality of life.
To learn more about dental equipment see the difference between serrated forceps vs non serrated forceps.
Smart scheduling
In a typical dentist’s office, you will find the receptionist who also doubles up as the administrative assistant. They are responsible for the day-to-day record-keeping, billing, filing, and booking clients for appointments. Admittedly, these responsibilities can become burdensome, increasing the risks of administrative errors. Some dental clinics would usually hire new staff to handle administrative work in hopes of preventing these mistakes.
Fortunately, smart scheduling reduces or eliminates such avoidable risks in dentistry. With the help of chatbots, dentists can schedule clients with precision. There are no conflicting appointment times, rebooking, or compensations, which usually happens when the office is compelled to apologise for a booking conflict. The introduction of smart scheduling technology has also helped reduce the burden on the dental office administrative staff, who double as receptionists.
Introduction of LED headlamps
One of the most striking features of a dental office is that bright light shining right above your head. Sometimes, this light can be too much for the patient’s eyes. This, however, is gradually getting replaced with ultra-modern LED headlamps. They come in the form of dental glasses attached to a headlamp. The most notable thing about this pair of dental loupes is the magnifying element. The combination of amplified images and LED light makes it convenient for the dentist and the patient. This proves how important it is for technology to serve both sides of the divide.
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