Residents on the Gold Coast who have undergone dental treatment recently will no doubt have realised that over time, dentistry has come on in leaps and bounds.
Incredible advances over the last ten years have meant that dentistry can be more comfortable and patient-focused.
With the onset of major changes in the digital world, a wealth of innovative new digital technologies, such as the groundbreaking All-on-4® method, are disrupting the established dentistry world.
Digital dentistry has sped up dental processes, such as 3D digital printing and intraoral cameras. Smart technology has improved admin and dental record keeping and provides modern comforts for patients. It has helped create Innovative dental implant procedures, such as the All-on-4® method.
What is Digital Dentistry?
Today's digital dentistry makes the whole dentistry process better, faster, easier, and more comfortable for the patient.
The world of digital dentistry can offer far fewer invasive treatments and, crucially, focus on prevention.
In a nutshell, digital dentistry on the Gold Coast and right across the globe use computer-aided and fully controlled components to carry out dental processes.
Smart technology
Rather than using mechanical or electrical tools, digital dentistry is more efficient for carrying out restorative work and vital diagnostics.
Smart technology, such as dental CAD/CAM, was introduced in 1971 by the ‘father of dentistry’, François Duret. This digital method produced surgical guides and also computer-aided crown production.
As more digital information is developed, smart technology is the future of dentistry.
How Has Traditional Dental Surgery Changed?
The field of dentistry and its changes are generally visible in today's centres the minute you step through the door.
From the most basic dental surgery to state-of-the-art dental clinics using breakthrough technology, you will no doubt have noticed that the environment is far more focused on care and comfort and is customer-centric.
With nearly a staggering ten million people visiting dental centres and clinics, according to recent research, many Australians will have witnessed some of these digital changes first-hand.
Digital extras
Many dental centres are now embracing the technological world. Offering neat little extras, such as TVs on the ceiling, headphones, eye masks, WIFI and iPads.
The onset of a digital explosion has created dental surroundings that are more digitally aware. Dental surgeries that specialise in the treatment of children will often have various digital video games to help relax and entertain their patients.
Digital technology brings state-of-the-art methods to dentistry
From a warm and safe environment to state-of-the-art technology, the team at Next Smile Australia use the most up-to-date digital technologies to elevate your oral health.
An advanced, ultra-modern centre with a comfortable and relaxing consultation space uses the most cutting-edge digital technology to provide innovative dental implants.
All-on-4® is a cutting-edge method of providing patients with dental implants which look and feel like natural teeth and, crucially, without the need for a bone graft.
What Are Some Examples of Digital Dentistry?
With the evolution of dental implants from seashells to titanium, there’s no doubt that dentistry has come a considerable way.
So now that we’ve discovered how the world of digital dentistry can offer you dental implants with advanced technology, let’s find out more ways the digital world can improve your dental experience.
Information management
A dental record historically was typed up as a physical copy stored in office filing cabinets. The onset of the digital explosion has made this type of record-keeping a thing of the past.
Updated digital systems have improved dental centres across the Gold Coast, Australia and beyond by
- Providing records quickly to dental professionals
- Improving workflow
- Making scheduling and appointment making more streamlined
- Simplifying the process of sharing patient information between centres if necessary
Digital x-rays
Historically a dentist would use radiography using X-rays to make a diagnosis or get a complete image of a patient's teeth.
Those images are created using X-ray energy, which creates images similar to photographs.
However, new digital dentistry advances can produce imagery using a phosphor plate or electronic sensor. They are placed in the patient's mouth with the image captured and then sent to a computer to view or share.
One of the chief benefits of this digital dentistry is the reduced radiation exposure prevalent with the older methods of obtaining images.
3D printing
3D printing is a digital technology that has seen many industries taking advantage of its advancements.
In the world of dentistry, 3D printing can be used to speed up many processes and enhance procedures.
This new technology means dentists can create physical models from digital images to create permanent and temporary appliances and even surgical training guides.
A machine called a Cone Beam Computed Tomographic machine (known in the dentist world as CBCT, allows dentists to take realistic 3D images of your teeth and jaw.
Creation of replacement teeth
Before digital dentistry advances, a plaster mould was needed first to make replacement teeth. This was then sent to a lab to create the real thing.
As the onset of digital dentistry became more prevalent, CAD/CAM technology pioneered by Duret replaced this older method.
Using this digital technology, a photograph is taken of the tooth, an impression is made digitally, and replacement teeth can be created much faster without needing a digital mould.
The CAD/CAM technology can then make the final replacement simply by using digitally scanned data instead of plaster models.
This means new teeth can be created much more quickly as teeth no longer have to be sent to a lab.
Intraoral cameras
These modern versions of the tiny round mirrors dentists used historically to examine patients’ teeth can be easily and more simply shared with dental teams and also the patient.
The magnification of these cameras can blow up the image of your teeth to huge sizes so dentists can more easily explain procedures and care processes to patients.
It’s a much better way for dental clinicians in Australia and everywhere else across the globe to better identify any potential oral health issues.
How is The Field of Dentistry Changing?
Technology is advancing rapidly, and any dental health professional who harnesses these advances will be able to offer their patients the best care.
Digital dentistry is constantly providing dental professionals with ways in which they can help you in faster, safer, more comfortable, and more reliable methods than they ever have before.
In Summary
Next Smile Australia has a network of dedicated clinics that use All-on-4® advanced treatments which provide patients with full-arch rehabilitation following the cutting-edge Malo Gold Standard protocol.
This scientifically proven method has helped our experienced dentists on the Gold Coast to provide all our patients with outstanding levels of technology and care.
Designed by Dr Paul Malo, we use quality component technology for the state-of-the-art All-on-4® method, providing dental implants with exceptional results. With our insured dental lab, we can offer your All-on-4® teeth from start to finish.
Contact us here for more information or to join one of our online webinars.