How Technology Has Changed The Face Of Dentistry

If you speak to older generations about visiting the dentist, they’re likely full of horror stories from their childhood. From foot-powered drills to large, metal needles, it’s unsurprising that so many people developed a fear of the dentist from their experiences as a child or young adult. 

But luckily, times have changed and the industry has changed massively, with dentists looking for ways in which to reduce pain and discomfort, whilst improving the treatments they could provide to ensure patients were left happy with their smiles. Modern technology has overhauled the face of dentistry and brought in quicker and pain-free treatments, meaning that more patients are able to keep their natural teeth in better shape, for longer. Let’s take a look at just some of the ways in which technology has changed the face of dentistry. 

Personalised Treatments

Before you even sit in a dentist’s chair these days, you’ve likely already experienced a number of technological processes. From making an appointment to filling out digital questionnaires or forms beforehand, all these processes have been put in place to ensure that your dentist can give you the best, personlised treatment, rather than a one size fits all approach. 

Saying Goodbye To Outdated Treatment

Just a few decades ago, braces and orthodontic treatments were more closely related to torture treatments than they were healthcare procedures. Thankfully, technology has helped abolish these outdated treatments and has changed the face of orthodontics on the whole. Whilst traditional metal braces are still used for severe orthodontic cases, they are not the only treatment available. 

Saying goodbye to gag-inducing alginate impressions, dentists now use scanners to create virtual impressions of teeth, which are then sent off to create moulds for retainer-style braces, such as Invisalign. Beyond Dental, a Leamington Spa orthodontics dentist, uses 5D scanners to create impressions of patients’ teeth before starting treatment, which gives patients a before and after look at their smile – a huge advancement in dental technology. 

Natural Looking Materials

New technology in dentistry has allowed dentists to create more durable and natural-looking materials to be used in dental treatments. These new materials are better matched to fit in amongst your natural teeth, require less invasive treatments such as tooth removal, and ensure better overall oral health. For many years, dentists relied on amalgam fillings, which have now been replaced with more natural composite fillings, which is a biocompatible material that is more durable, free from mercury and more fitting with natural teeth. 

For patients who are looking for more extensive dental treatment, such as dentures or crowns, then they would typically be expecting to undergo long and extensive treatment. But again, thanks to technological advances in dentistry, this is no longer the case. For example, for patients undergoing treatment for dental implants in Leamington Spa, the whole process has been transformed. 

In many cases, just 4 teeth need to be removed in order for a full set of implants to be placed, if the teeth aren’t already missing. Not only does dental implant treatment use the best and most durable materials and quiet drills, but the time spent in the chair has been made more comfortable too, with TV screens in the ceilings, music playing and reclining dental chairs.