While Thanksgiving comes but once a year – and what an occasion to indulge with scrumptious food and (usually) excellent conversation – people should appreciate the leaps that an important field,dentistry, has taken over the course of a mere decade.
These technological improvements make keeping their teeth, which are such an important part of their conversational and eating abilities, functioning well enough to enjoy this day and many others. People are not THAT far removed from putting paste on a stick and using that to brush their teeth.
Here are just a few of the advances in the dental field that both patients and dentists should be thankful for.
Digital X-Rays
Patients tend to dread having traditional X-rays. It involves having to have a cumbersome lead apron draped over them and having to have a whole series of them taken can feel like a chore even if it’s once a year. There is also the wait for the X-rays to be developed.
That is not the case with digital X-rays. They use a lot less radiation (up to 90%) than traditional. The results are instantaneous and the dentist can even enlarge the images to get a better look. This makes diagnosing things even easier.
Digital X-rays are also far more environmentally friendly since they don’t require the special chemicals that traditional X-rays need to be developed . They can also be shared much efficiently between dental offices rather than having to be mailed. That’s a plus for everyone at the office.
No Metal Crowns
Metal crowns and also porcelain-metal crowns, while quite durable, have some serious shortcomings – either they are not that aesthetically pleasing (which is why they tend to be in the back of the mouth if chosen) or they can actually wear down the teeth that bite down on them.
That’s why porcelain crowns are better. They look good in one’s mouth and are more than just serviceable when it comes to biting and chewing. Their color matches the teeth in the patient’s mouth and blend in quite nicely.
Lasers in Dentistry
Lasers can be used several ways in this field, and they can be much better than the items they replace. Dentists find them much more efficient and they can eliminate some of the post-surgery requirements “.
One use for them is to help the dentist find cavities that they might not have seen before. This should be used in conjunction with a visual inspection, since it cannot be used on teeth that already have fillings.
Another use is to laser out part of the cavity when it comes to putting in a filling or doing a root canal. A drill may still be needed for certain parts of the procedure. They can be a part of the dentist’s toolkit when they are doing gum reshaping or even just whitening the teeth.
The best thing about this is that it reduces pain and bleeding by a good margin and can also keep stitches from being needed in some cases.
Same-Day Dentures
Time was, people had to wait for a good amount of time without teeth while their dentures were made. With the creation of same-day dentures, that’s not a problem. The patient bites into a mold before their teeth are extracted and then dentures are made.
It’s largely a stop-gap method, since the patient is going to have to have a reline done once their gums heal from the extraction, but it’s still a great way to get used to dentures while not having to gum food for a while. They can be thankful for that.
Overall, there is a lot to be grateful about – and as the dental field continues to develop and expand new technology over the years, even some of these things may seem quaint in the not-too-distant future.
The staff at US Dental Medical are always eager to learn about what’s around the corner. They also love how these above things have improved the whole experience for both dentists and patients. Should patients want to discuss more about this, they can make a call for an appointment: 614-252-3181.
Published By:
US Dental and Medical Care
949 E Livingston Ave,
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: (614) 252-3181
Website: https://usdentalmedical.com
