Patients who have been to the dentist in recent years might have noticed some changes in technology. Whether it’s more advanced X-rays or using a laser to take mouth impressions, dental offices are quickly becoming technologically advanced. This article will explore some of the most common digital technologies at dental clinics. To see this technology in person, make an appointment with a local Waco dentist.

1. Digital X-ray

Digital X-rays are an innovative imaging technology that leverages digital sensors instead of traditional photo film. The shift to digital radiography allows data to be quickly transmitted to a computer without an intermediate cassette, as was required by conventional X-ray machines. This advancement allows dentists to take X-rays and view the results alongside the patient in minutes instead of hours or days.

Digital imaging can see into a tooth, meaning dentists can easily detect areas of decay that may necessitate a root canal, helping patients understand potential root canal costs upfront. There are obvious benefits for dentists in that they can easily see a high-quality view of the patient’s mouth, jaw, and teeth, but a digital X-ray also has lower radiation levels for the patient, making it a win-win.

2. Intraoral scanner

Patients who have ever needed mouth impressions might remember it being a subpar experience. The hygienist would scoop putty into molds for the top and bottom teeth, having the patient bite down into the putty while it slowly hardens. Between the foul taste and inability to get a full breath, dental impressions were an area just begging for technology to take over. And with the intraoral scanner, it has. An intraoral scanner is a handheld device that glides along teeth, creating a 3D image that can be used to make impressions. As the hygienist scans the teeth, they get real-time feedback about any areas that need to be re-scanned, ensuring a full visual that can be printed and turned into retainers, bite guards, whitening trays, and more.

3. Computer-aided design (CAD) software

While computer-aided design (CAD) software has long been used in the architecture and automotive industries, the technology is finally making its way into dentistry. Dentists can leverage the software to create dental restorations, including crowns, veneers, dentures, and more. When a dentist takes an intraoral scan of a patient who needs dentures, the images are sent to a CAD program where a technician will design the appropriate dentures to accurately fit the patient’s mouth and solve their dental problem. If the dentist approves the CAD software designs, they can print them using yet another technology that’s changing the game for dentists.

4. 3D printers

Alongside an intraoral scanner and CAD software, dentists can use 3D printers to develop some dental appliances in the office. While 3D printers have a high upfront cost, the ability to create certain dental restorations quickly without sending them out to a lab can be a major financial benefit. A 3D printer begins with a block of rough material, which in dentistry is often ceramic, metal alloys, or composite resins. Since the CAD software allows for precise measurements, dentists can tweak the design to ensure it will fit the patient perfectly before printing.

The bottom line

Dental technology has come a long way in recent years, increasing the efficiency and affordability of many dental procedures. Those interested in technology can ask their local Waco dentist about the latest technology they've adopted and what's next on the cutting edge of dental tech.