Are you someone who shudders at the thought of seeing a dentist? If so, take heart. Thanks to several important changes in dentistry, visiting a dentist is not as scary as it was years ago. Just as the healthcare industry continues to change, so does the dental market. Because of major advancements in dentistry, the experience of going to the dentist today is different than it was two or three decades ago. In fact, it’s not the same as it was only five years ago. Here are some of the top trends in dental news for 2017 that can make visiting a dentist more pleasant.
An Increase in 3D Printing
One of the hottest dental trends is the use of 3D printing. In fact, according to a recent huffingtonpost.com article, many dental parts, such as orthodontic and prosthetic components, are 3D printed. Thus, dental services are more customized as well as convenient and affordable. Another advantage of this technology is that it helps to bring back manufacturing jobs from abroad. Also, the 3D printing trend makes fabrication and application more accurate and efficient.
Increased Digitization
Digitization, which is the procedure of converting data in digital formats, has improved many facets of dentistry. These aspects include lasers, dental photography, CAD/CAM imaging, electric and surgical handpieces, shade matching and other areas. Just about all the aspects of dentistry have become digitized. As a result, even insurance billing and patient communications are more efficient.
More Comfortable Dental Procedures
Because dentists are aware of the negative stigma linked with dental procedures, they’re making their treatments more patient-centered and as comfortable as possible. Consider how there’s an increase in using dental sedatives that help in keeping patients more relaxed and calm during treatments.
Dentists are taking courses that show new ways for doing the most popular dental procedures so that their patients are more comfortable. Furthermore, they’re using new ways to communicate dental technology to their patients that help in improving dental experiences.
The Popularity of Dental Implants
Dental implants continue to be trendy. This procedure entails removing one or more teeth and replacing them with dental implants. Basically, dental implants are titanium screws that are rooted and drilled into a patient’s jaw bone. As the jaw bone naturally grows around an implant, the screw becomes securely embedded. A dentist then places a dental crown on top of the screw that serves as a visible tooth.
Root Canal Improvements
Only a few years ago, most dental patients freak out when being told they need a root canal. But today, there’s no need to be uptight. Because of vast improvements in technology, even root canal therapy is easier for both dentists and patients.
For example, instead of using stainless steel files for cleaning out root canals that are prone to break and not remove as much infection, dentists now use nickel titanium files, which are stronger and less likely to fracture. Local anesthetics that are used now for root canals can make a root canal pain-free. Additionally, the modern dental instruments used today give dentist more control in shaping a root canal.
Important Role Dentistry Plays in Solving Sleep Breathing Issues
Probably, the most important trend in dentistry is that the medical community is now recognizing that dentistry plays a crucial part in resolving sleep breathing issues. Consequently, there’s a rising interest among dentists for using oral appliance treatments for treating sleep problems, such as sleep apnea and snoring.
Do you need high quality, affordable dental care? Call the dental professionals at Valley Dental Care, where we specialize in comprehensive family dentistry. Please contact us and learn more about our wide range of dental services, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, preventive dentistry, dental hygiene, gum disease therapy and other services.