In addition to having necessary procedures like root canals, many patients decide to improve the aesthetic appearance of their smiles through cosmetic treatments. Modern technology brings speed, accuracy, and precision to many fields, including cosmetic dentistry. These technologies can eliminate many aspects of human error and procedure discomfort, promising to make cosmetic dentistry more appealing. This article explains how technology advances cosmetic dentistry and then explores some popular technologies dentists use to improve outcomes and enhance the patient experience.
Why is technology so crucial to cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry differs from medical dentistry because procedures are primarily about aesthetics rather than oral health. Some procedures may have a small degree of medical necessity, but looks are the primary goal in many cases. This makes accuracy, precision, and the patient’s experience a top priority. Technology can dramatically improve results and the patient’s experience in two ways:
- Increased accuracy: Technology can remove elements of human error, leading to more accurate and precise treatments. Fewer errors also reduce the risk of needing to correct the procedure.
- More patient comfort: Technological solutions may remove messier or more uncomfortable procedures, such as traditional impressions.
This benefits dentists by making them more attractive to patients, so both dentist and patient ultimately benefit from cutting-edge dental technology.
Four cutting-edge technologies that are improving cosmetic dentistry
Here are four exciting technologies that improve cosmetic dentistry by creating more accurate outcomes and a better patient experience:
1. Digital Smile Design (DSD)
Digital Smile Design (DSD) lets the dentist use computer-aided design (CAD) to digitally alter a mockup of a patient’s smile to show them how it could differ after a treatment. This helps the patient visualize how their smile would look after treatment before they move forward with the procedure, answering their questions and making it easier to decide if they want to move forward with the procedure. Meanwhile, it helps the dentist tailor treatment to the patient’s facial features, mouth structure, and expectations.
2. Laser dentistry
Laser dentistry offers a minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry option for a range of cosmetic and medical procedures. This reduces bleeding and discomfort during the treatment, shortens healing times, simplifies post-op care, and minimizes error through enhanced precision. Laser dentistry is often used in two cosmetic procedures:
- Gum contouring: Lasers can help reshape the gums to enhance appearance by evening out the gum line or reducing the amount of one’s gumline that shows while smiling.
- Teeth whitening: Lasers can remove discoloration and help restore teeth color and shine while minimizing potential tooth damage.
3. Intraoral scanners
Traditional dental impressions use molding material and an oral tray to get an impression of the teeth. These can be messy and uncomfortable for some patients. They may also lead to inaccuracies that require new impressions. Intraoral scanners mitigate these issues. An intraoral scanner is a handheld wand that lets the dentist scan the patient’s mouth to create a detailed digital image. This allows for a more accurate image while eliminating the for the patient to bite down into messy molding materials, enhancing patient comfort.
4. Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR)
Augmented and virtual reality are still in their infancy in dental applications but show promise. These technologies let patients visualize treatment outcomes ahead of time, closely mimicking what the outcomes would look like in reality. Furthermore, dentists can use AR and VR technology to visualize individual changes in a tooth’s shape, color, and positioning. This helps them plan treatment more effectively and gives patients a detailed look at the results.
The bottom line
The latest technological advancements in dentistry dramatically improve the field by maximizing accuracy, shortening recovery times, and minimizing discomfort during procedures. Digital Smile Design, laser dentistry, intraoral scanners, and AR and VR are just a few exciting technologies helping cosmetic dentistry make huge jumps. Patients considering a cosmetic dental procedure should look for a cosmetic dentist in Hialeah that uses some of these technologies. Even if they result in higher costs, paying extra may be worth it for a more pleasant experience and better outcomes.
