The Role Of Technology In Modern Emergency Dentistry
Technological advancements affect almost every aspect of our lives. The role of technology is significant, affecting everything from how we communicate to how we work to how we entertain ourselves.Technology also affects how we receive medical care. It’s significantly impacted modern emergency dentistry, providing dental care professionals with modern resources that enable them to provide optimal dental care.
How Dentistry Has Evolved
Hundreds of years ago, patients sat on the floor while having their teeth extracted. Reclining dental chairs are one example of technology improving patient comfort while making it easier for dental professionals to deliver care. Dentists had to adjust early versions of reclining dental chairs with a foot pump; thanks to the introduction of motors, motorized reclining chairs replaced foot-pump chairs.
Today, technology continues to transform modern emergency dentistry.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the benefits of virtual consultations have prompted dental professionals to continue offering this option. It allows patients with time or travel constraints and those who are ill to receive prompt dental care. Dentists take photos and scans they can use to diagnose dental issues and use apps to track patient health.
Imaging
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is another name for 3D imaging. Dentists use CBCT machines to capture images from multiple angles. The X-ray beams CBCT machines emit are painless. The machines reconstruct a 3D representation of your teeth, skull, and jaw, and your dentist uses these images to accurately diagnose your oral health and determine appropriate treatments for any issues detected.
Dentists use intraoral cameras to capture detailed photos of your teeth and gums. The difference between these and 3D images is that 3D imaging looks at the structures of your jaw and teeth, while intraoral cameras focus on the surface of your gums and teeth.
Design And Manufacturing Of Dental Devices
Technology has made designing and manufacturing dental appliances, such as crowns, dental bridges, aligners, and implants, easier. Once, dentists made molds of your teeth and sent them to manufacturers so they could construct the appliances you needed. Today, dentists can use 3D imaging scans to capture the same information.
Using scans is more efficient because it only takes a few minutes to capture the scans needed. The images can be emailed instead of packaging and shipping molds to the manufacturers.
Computer-Aided Design
Computer-aided design (CAD) refers to designing items on a computer instead of drafting by hand. CAD expedites the design process. It’s used in dentistry to design dental appliances. Since it’s more efficient, patients can avoid lengthy delays waiting for aligners, braces, and other appliances. Sometimes, it reduces the number of appointments patients need for treatment.
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) involves using computer-aided designs to produce the appliances. CAM reduces the time needed to construct dental appliances, such as crowns and veneers. CAM also improves accuracy when producing appliances, ensuring they’ll fit correctly.
Chairside Milling Machines
Dentists use chairside milling machines to create appliances onsite, allowing patients who need crowns, veneers, and other appliances to get those appliances in one appointment. These machines use CAD and CAM technology to produce appliances.
How Dentistry Is Currently Evolving
Technology continues to transform dental care. Today, AI is reshaping dental services.
The Use Of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting emergency dental care. Emergency dentists use AI-assisted triage to evaluate symptoms and determine which emergencies are most severe, enabling emergency dentists to treat the most critical emergencies first. As AI applications expand, AI could be used to assess scans and help diagnose oral health issues.
Urbn Dental Uses The Latest Technology To Improve Care
URBN Dental uses modern technology to deliver expert dental care. Embracing technology allows us to reduce dental care costs while improving our quality of care. We utilize every technological advancement to provide our patients with outstanding care promptly. Thanks to modern technology, we can reduce treatment times and recovery periods.
Emergency Dental Appointments And Walk-Ins In Houston
An emergency dentist office in Houston provides expert care for dental emergencies, such as dental abscesses, dislodged teeth, broken teeth, and broken dental appliances. Every URBN Dental office holds some appointment slots open for walk-in patients and those with dental emergencies. You’ll receive prompt, professional emergency care from highly-trained dental professionals who will resolve your emergency dental issues.
Urbn Dental Is Here For All Of Your Dentistry Needs
Those looking for dental care in Houston need look no further than URBN Dental. URBN Dental has several locations in Houston and an office in Katy where you can receive expert dental care. URBN Dental’s offices are open Monday through Saturday. Whether you’re looking for a new family dentist for preventative care, need a dentist who can provide orthodontic care, or need restorative dental care, our dental experts can provide outstanding care that will improve your smile and oral health.
Sources:
Guynup, S. (2016). How Technology is Changing Dentistry.
Hasselfield, B. (2024). Benefits of Telemedicine.
