2 Devices That Might Transform Your Future Dental Visits

Dentist Articles

Wouldn't it be nice if a trip to the dentist was as pleasant as getting your hair cut at your favorite salon? Although it might sound like a figment of your imagination, dental professionals are constantly developing cutting-edge technologies to make your dental appointments more pleasant. Here are two devices that might transform your future dental visits, so that you can look forward to brighter days:

1: Remineralization Lasers

If you are like most people, the whirr of a dental drill and the accompanying smells are enough to make you skip your semi-annual dental checkup. Unfortunately, unless you want to let that tiny cavity spread into a gaping hole, allowing a dentist to drill away a portion of your rotten tooth might seem like your only option—until now.

Believe it or not, scientists have discovered a way to help your teeth to heal themselves. When your teeth decay, they lose essential minerals that protect dental surfaces. The more of these minerals that go missing, the more susceptible your tooth is to the damaging effects of decay. However, by using a laser that transmits a low electrical current, dentists can coax calcium and phosphate particles back into place, remineralizing your tooth. In addition to providing a gentle option for people who hate dental drills, remineralization lasers also offer these benefits:

• Drug-Free Treatment: If you prefer a holistic approach or you take a lot of other medications, you might not love the idea of anesthetic shots or taking additional drugs. Fortunately, because remineralization lasers offer dentists a way to perform drug-free dental repairs, you won't have to worry.
• Cost and Convenience: In addition to being painless and drug-free, remineralization treatment is predicted to cost about as much as a traditional filling and take about the same amount of time. By taking advantage of this incredible technology, you might be able to have your child's cavities repaired during their lunch break, without dealing with tantrums on the way back to school. 

Although it might seem like a technological advancement like this wouldn't be available for a decade, researchers predict these lasers could be available to dentists within the next three years. 

2: Inter-Oral Cameras

If you have ever taken a peek at the assistant's table before a dental appointment, you may have spotted a sharp, pointy object called an "explorer." These instruments are typically used to scrape away tartar and to check indentations for the sticky signs of oral decay. However, scientists have also developed a highly-effective, pleasant way for your dentist to check for problems.

Inter-oral cameras are small, high-powered cameras that can scan the surfaces of your teeth to check for cavities, fractures, and unusual gum lines. Here are a few ways these incredible devices might make your trip to the dentist more successful in the future:    

• Early Detection: Some inter-oral cameras are so effective that they can spot cavities as small as 50 microns, and damage that is as far away as 5 millimeters from the surface. This means that your dentist might be able to spot that brand-new baby cavity lurking between your teeth—before it creates a painful dental abscess a few years later.  
• Tight Spaces: Since inter-oral cameras are so small, they might also make it easier for dentist to inspect patients with tight oral spaces, such as children and the elderly.
• Dental Records: After a scan has been taken of your teeth, your dentist might even keep it on file for future reference. This information might help you to target trouble spots or track improvements from dental procedures.   

Being familiar with the latest advancements in dentistry might help you to bravely try procedures, and enjoy your experience.  Click here to investigate dentists in the VA area.

28 April 2015