Health care is going digital, and dentistry is no exception.
Digital technology is decreasing the quantity of time people spend in the
dental professional's chair, providing dentists abetter view of the mouth and
enhancing toughed, commonly unpleasant procedures.
Most dentists have already switched to digital X-ray imaging as a way to
minimize patient exposure to radiation. New digital X-ray machines still use
radiation to produce an image, but have reduced radiation exposure by 50
percent, said Dr. Chris Hirt, a dentist at Turley Dental Care and a Montana
Dental Association board member.
In most cases, digital X-ray images are more accurate. And without a need
for time consuming chemical processing, the images maybe viewed within a few
seconds.
The new 3-D Cone Beam takes digital imaging a step further. The diagnostic
imaging technology can reveal the shape of the teeth, jaw and supporting
structures, including nerves and blood vessels.
"It's especially helpful in planning implants," Hirt said.
"With greater precision, the implants are less invasive and patients have
a shorter recovery."
Thanks to improved technology, implants have become the standard solution to
missing teeth. The base of the implants are made of a titanium alloy that is
anchored into the jawbone and then capped with a natural looking porcelain or
metal tooth.
"It's the closest thing to a tooth replacement because it's not
dependent on other teeth holding it in," Hirt said. "It's placed
right into the jaw."
Digital imaging has also replaced the gooey putty that has been used for
dental impressions. With specialized equipment and software, the teeth are
mapped and a 3-D model is created from the images. With the model, dentists can
use CAD-CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology
to manufacture a permanent crown. Crowns used to require two to three visits,
but can now be done in one visit, Hirt said.
"We've found in our practice that it's been a tremendous resource for
rural folks who can't travel for all those visits," he added.
Adults who want to correct and straighten teeth also now have more options
than ever.
One of the most popular methods for minor corrections is invisible braces.
The clear plastic trays are worn all day except during eating and brushing.
Patients say they are more comfortable than traditional metal braces and
because they're clear they usually go unnoticed.
"Another advantage is the ability to clean the teeth," Hirt said.
"Sometimes it's a struggle keeping the teeth clean with all that
hardware--wires and brackets--on the teeth."
More extensive straightening is done by orthodontists who have also seen an
uptick in the number of adult patients they see. A nice smile with clean
healthy teeth can not only improve a person's self esteem, more studies are
connecting oral health to overall health, Hirt said. For example, studies have
shown that poor oral health has been linked to heart disease and low birth
weight.
"Your teeth are more than just something pretty to smile with,"
Hirt said.
A fear of dentistry shouldn't keep anyone away from important dental
appointments. There are a range of options for sedation, with patients being
able to choose between oral or IV sedation to ease anxiety. Dentists who offer
sedation are specially trained for the methods they use. Sedation allows more
people to access the help they need.
"If there's one thing I can say for certain, there's never been a
better time for dental treatment," Hirt said.
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