Technology has impacted nearly every industry around the world, and that includes the dental industry. Thanks to the rise of technological advancements, going to the dentist is now safer, more efficient, and more comfortable than ever before.
Dr. Paulo Viana, the dentist at the helm of Viana Dental, has witnessed this firsthand. The primary focus of his dental clinics, which are located in London and Komoka, Ontario, has been to use new technology to decrease pain and increase safety and comfort for each and every one of his patients. This makes him the perfect person to describe all the different ways that technology has positively impacted the dental industry.
Electronic Patient Records
Electronic patient records are a technological advancement that have helped the dental industry immensely and yet it’s something you may not have thought much about as a patient. Whereas in the past, records were physical pieces of paper stored in an office, now they are stored online, easily searchable, and accessible. This streamlines the entire process of going to the dentist, whether you’re visiting for a routine checkup or an emergency. The speed that is afforded to dental clinics owing to electronic patient records is especially helpful in emergency situations where time is of the essence. For example, Dr. Paulo Viana of Viana Dental shares that they had a patient run into their office after breaking a tooth during a football game and his team was able to pull up this patient’s record in mere seconds. From there, they were able to inform the patient about their dental coverage and the potential cost that would be incurred prior to receiving the treatment.
Comfortable Features
According to Dr. Paulo Viana, the priority at Viana Dental is first and foremost to ensure the health and safety of each and every one of their patients. But second to that, the team strives to make the dental experience as comfortable as possible for all patients and this is an area that technology has really helped with. For example, it is common for many modern dental offices to have exam chairs with built-in massage features, television screens with Netflix or other streaming services that you’re able to watch from your exam chair, noise cancelling headphones for lengthier procedures, and even heated blankets. These features are especially helpful for children, who may have trouble sitting still for a long period of time and dislike going to the dentist. All in all, visiting the dentist is not what it used to be, owing to the many creature comforts that now exist there.
Digital X-rays
Most people remember going to the dentist, especially as a kid and having to get an impression, which meant biting into a slimy, unpleasant substance. This practice is a thing of the past thanks to technology. Now, digital x-rays are the norm. In addition to being more convenient and less intrusive than x-rays of the past, Viana Dental shares that compared to traditional 2D x-rays, digital x-rays offer much faster retrieval and higher quality of images, while being safer with less exposure to radiation.
Dr. Paulo Viana on Laser Dentistry
Another way technology has positively impacted the industry is through laser dentistry. Laser dentistry is a newer phenomenon, but one that is taking off owing to its high efficacy and less invasive method. Lasers are especially useful when it comes to treating more serious dental health issues. For example, Viana Dental commonly uses laser dentistry to treat gum disease. With this new technology, your dentist has the ability to target specific tissue that has been affected by the disease without hurting any of the healthy tissue. Overall, the procedure is much less invasive, less painful, and far shorter in length, which benefits patients of all ages.
