We had a lot of fun writing our blog post on emerging dental technologies a few weeks ago, so we decided to add a second part. Sometimes it's fun to look back on the time you've been alive and think about how quickly everything is advancing now. It's all changing so fast that you almost don't even notice it. This week, we'll slow it down and share a couple more thoughts on two dental technologies that are changing dentistry rapidly.
Digital Imaging: One of our favorite tools around the office is our intraoral camera. It's such a cool tool to use for diagnosis and for sharing what we see with our patients. We're excited to see other cool digital imaging technologies like panoramic x-rays and 3D X-rays become more available too. Perhaps what's most exciting about this technology, however, is where we go from here. It will be interesting to see in the coming years how innovators integrate digital imaging into surgical planning software, 3D printing, and a host of other emerging technologies. It's something that we believe is beneficial for patients, researchers, and practitioners alike.
Dental Implants: An old warning dentists use that has been floating around our profession for quite some time goes, "You only get one set of teeth." It's a simple statement with a lot of truth to it. The heart of the message is telling you to dedicate time to taking care of your teeth because they have to last you a while. Their function is to crunch, much, tear, and grind. They go through a lot of wear and tear, so a good upkeep routine is essential to making them last. With the advent of dental implants, however, this warning is only partially true.
Your biology limits you to one set of natural teeth, but this exciting dental technology can give you a great replacement should you lose a tooth to decay, trauma, or natural causes such as aging. They will help you maintain jawbone integrity and they function much like a natural tooth, which can make it easier to chew and speak after losing a tooth.
What's exciting about dental implants is how far they come, just in the time we've been practicing dentistry. The costs have come down, they have become less invasive, and the quality has skyrocketed. We consider art to be a very big part of dentistry, and with all the design tools and materials to work with, it's an artist's dream. We're keeping an eye on this dental technology not only to offer our own patients the best in care, but also to see what cool new design tools become available.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope our post makes you reflect on some of the ways technology has made your life better. If you enjoy our blog and technology, please consider liking or sharing our Facebook page with a friend!