Day: October 11, 2017

Best Questions to Ask When Choosing a Dentist

Posted on by Team DS

Dental care is one of the most important investments you can make. But how do you choose the professional who will be the best dentist for you?

 

Start by asking these questions:

 

 

1. What is your area of specialty?

 

Usually, your dentist will do a lot of different things. It can be anywhere from helping patients find pain relief to dental implants, cosmetic surgery and tooth removal. He or she may also be a jaw specialist who can correct teeth that need straightening. Some dentists specialize in helping people suffering TMJ, while others do not. Find out which one you need for your family’s particular dental work. It always helps to know these details in advance so that you can work with the right specialist.

 

 

2. What are the payment plans available?

 

A good dentist will make sure patients are aware of the payment plans and expectations. Some will allow cash payments while others prefer a combination of insurance plans and monthly installments. Before you decide on any dentist for an extended period of time, you should be aware of the dental plans and insurance options available. Also, try to get a quote for the treatment you need if it is more than just a routine check-up. Talk about payment plans and insurance before deciding to work with one dentist.

 

 

3. How long have you been in practice?

 

The best dentists are not only honest with their patients but will have a very good reputation in the community. Finding out a dentist’s history before deciding will put you at ease later on when you’re in the dental chair or undergoing an operation. Be sure he or she is honest with you, and don’t hesitate to do background checks.

 

 

4. How long can I expect to wait when booking an appointment?

 

Of course, one downside to choosing a popular dentist is that the wait list may be very long. If you try to schedule during a time of the year when your dentist has a lot of patients, you may end up suffering more from the pain of that toothache than anticipated. Make sure you understand how much time you need to make appointments with your dentist.

 

5. Do you deal with dental phobias? If so, how?

 

Some practicing dentists are trained to put patients at ease during an operation and to allay any dental fears or phobias. You may want to ask about possible therapies, if you think you need it. Ask about sedation or relaxation techniques that your dentist may be able to help with.

 

 

6. Do you take both adults and children?

 

Ideally, you should be able to take your whole family to the same dentist. This can help with the logistics of scheduling dental work for both children and parents at the same time.

 

 

7. Which types of equipment and technology do you employ?

 

It’s a good idea to know exactly how up-to-date your dentist is with operating equipment, techniques and tools. Finding one who stays on top of medical advances will ensure that what you are paying for is worth it. When considering the cost of dental care, you don’t want to skimp on dental quality work. Your dental health should be something that you prioritize, even over other needs or obligations.

 

 

Could Your Next Dental Restoration Come From a 3D Printer?

Posted on by Team DS

According to a 2015 article in Quartz, dentists were just on the verge of printing a tooth in minutes via 3D printer. We may not be there yet, but according to the Huffington Post, dental industry 3D printer sales increased over 75 percent from 2016 to 2017. So exactly how much is fact and how much is science fiction?

 

 

3D Printers, Digital Technology and the Dental Industry

 

Despite the futuristic images of new teeth being fabricated seemingly out of thin air at a dentist’s office, computer programs like CAD/CAM and laser technology have already been in use in many dental offices for over a decade. Also known as same-day crowns, CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) has allowed dentists to cut out the middleman and offer patients quick and affordable restorations like veneers and crowns in a single appointment.

 

Instead of taking a traditional physical mold of your teeth and sending it to an outside lab, CEREC technology allows dentists to take a digital image of your teeth and design the veneers or crowns using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing). The computer program generates a 3D blueprint of the restoration, which can then be manufactured while you wait, using an on-site milling machine. If you like what you see and the fit is right, you can walk out of your appointment with your new crown, no need to wait weeks on end and juggle your schedule to fit in the next appointment.

 

 

How Long Before Every Filling and Crown Is Made by 3D Printer?

 

Despite the pace at which technology is advancing and disrupting everything from how you shop for groceries to how your dentist fill your cavities, cutting-edge technology can be prohibitively expensive in the early years. But as access to 3D printers becomes more widely available, the possibilities for the dental industry are endless. In fact, with access to a 3D printer, anyone can technically create a set of aligners or a crown (although your dentist strongly advises against that!).

 

But as the market for dental 3D printing technology explodes, manufacturers are developing newer and sleeker models, which will eventually help to bring down costs and get the machines into more dental labs, if not necessarily into the dentist’s office.

 

 

What We Can Look Forward To

 

As common restorations like crowns, fillings, veneers and even braces become cheaper and easier to produce, they will presumably become more affordable and widely available for consumers. And then there’s the convenience factor. It’s hard to say how many people choose to walk around with damaged teeth or dental imperfections due to the time and effort involved in committing to multiple trips to the dentist to fix a chipped or cracked (but otherwise functional) tooth.

 

The same goes for bite and alignment problems and other dental problems that can impact your oral health. With close to half of all Americans missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists, the market for fast and cheap access to 3D-printed teeth is certainly there.

 

It’s difficult to say how long it will be before 3D printing completely takes over the dental industry and every practice begins to manufacture their own restorations in-house in the time it might take you to sip a tooth-staining latte from Starbucks. But according to industry professionals, 3D printing technology is like a bullet train that has already left the station, en route to making cosmetic and restorative dentistry more efficient and affordable. Stay tuned.