Did you know that one-third of U.S. adults don’t visit the dentist regularly?
People skip these appointments for reasons such as cost and access. Many people also cite anxiety as a reason for avoiding the dentist. As valid as these reasons may be, prolonged periods without dental care can lead to pain or long-term complications from poor oral health.
These days, dental trends include using technology to assist with everyday appointments and procedures. Assistive technologies reduce treatment costs, improve treatment accuracy, and even ease patient anxiety!
Keep reading to learn about five of these kinds of technologies and how they can improve the quality of your dental care.
1. Artificial Intelligence
More and more, dentists are relying on artificial intelligence to assist them with diagnostics and suggesting treatment plans for patients. By showing these algorithms countless data points, researchers are teaching them to identify signs of oral disease and complications.
This dental technology is made possible by the leaps and bounds we’ve made in artificial intelligence in the past several years. We also have more widely accessible data than ever before.
If this sounds like robots are taking over the world, don’t worry!! It’s quite implausible that the dental industry will be replaced by technology. However, tech works hand-in-hand with human practitioners to provide the best care possible.
2. Sonendo GentleWave
Anyone who has had root canal treatment knows that it is…less than fun. Thankfully, the Sonendo GentleWave system is here to make the process as simple as possible.
The technology uses advanced fluid dynamics to help your dentist provide optimal care to you during your procedure. The minimally-invasive system is highly effective, reducing or eliminating the need to schedule follow-up appointments.
3. Telehealth Appointments
If you’ve needed medical care at any point during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely that you’ve had at least one telehealth appointment. These can take place over the phone or via video call, as long as the platform used by your provider is HIPAA-compliant. This technology has been instrumental in getting patients the care they need while reducing in-person visits.
4. X-Nav Technology
X-Nav is a technology that helps your oral surgeon perform quicker, more efficient surgeries. The software guides your surgeon throughout the procedure, allowing more precise incisions than during unguided surgery. This leads to both less pain and faster recovery.
5. AR and VR
Both educational and clinical settings use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to improve patient care.
In schools, AR and VR allow medical students to experience as close to real-world situations as possible while they complete their training. They gain exposure to rare maladies and have more opportunities to practice routine care. They can perfect the latest dental procedures before even working with an actual patient.
In clinical settings, AR and VR are used more for the patient’s benefit than for the clinicians. For folks who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist, VR headsets provide a calming distraction while waiting or while having dental procedures done.
AR can show you what your teeth will look like after reconstructive surgery or with dental implants. This gives you and your surgeon more control over your appearance.
Which Dental Trends Are You Excited For?
As you can see, the latest trends in dentistry are full of potential. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, technology increases the quality of patient care while reducing costs for both providers and patients. We’re excited to see how these dental trends develop in the years and decades to come!
Want to know more about the kinds of dental care and oral surgery we provide? Contact us today to learn more!
