The technology dentists use to clean their patient’s teeth clean and help keep their oral health under control is vastly different from a few decades ago. With major advancements occurring every day, even the tools used a couple of years ago are now considered outdated and obsolete. One of the more recent developments is 3D imaging, and it has made monumental strides in the dental industry at large.
With it, dentists can now take a virtual picture of their patients’ mouth, allowing them to see imperfections and detect problems like never before. In the old days, doctors were forced to rely on their personal judgment for diagnosis purposes. Even the most skilled of dentists were restricted by their inability to see beyond what the naked eye would allow.
The rise of x-ray technology served as an answer to this problem, and gave doctors access to parts of the mouth (e.g. beneath the jawbone, dental crevices, etc.) that they never before could. However, the main downside to x-rays, which are still used in many medical offices across the globe, is that they expose patients to radiation. 3D imaging has inevitably led to a reduction in this practice, which is the beneficial health-wise and at the same time delivers more accurate results.
Why Dentists are Using 3D Imaging
- Faster Procedures – Standard x-rays require adequate prep time before they can be used. Since 3d imaging utilizes computer technology, the entire process can be completed in as little as a few minutes. Instead of waiting a few days to hear back about the results, you can view the images and discuss them with your dentist immediately.
- Digital Sharing – The great thing about using digital files instead of hard copies is that they can be shared between dental professionals with ease. If your local dentist recommends that you visit a specialty doctor for your particular diagnosis, they can instantly send the images to that person for review. The results can also be emailed directly to your insurance provider to facilitate the treatment process.
- Greater Control – You can only see so much on a printed image. 3d pictures, on the other hand, can be zoomed in and virtually enhanced to provide a crystal clear assessment and error-free diagnosis.