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dental equipment

The Use of Digital Tech in Dentistry

When contemplating the change to digital dental in your practice, the choices can be confusing for the dentist. Dental radiography has evolved from film and chemical developers into a highly technical process that involves various types of dental x-ray machines, as well as powerful dental software programs to assist the dentist with image acquisition and diagnostic analysis of the acquired images. When making the decision to purchase x-ray equipment, the doctor needs to research the available options thoroughly, in order to make an informed choice for the “right” machine for his or her practice.

Digital radiography is a type of X-ray imaging in which the images are transposed digitally onto computers or other devices rather than being developed onto film. Instead of using electromagnetic radiation and chemical processing to record an X-ray onto film, digital versions use digital sensors to record images onto an image capture device, which then creates a digital image file. This file can then be used by medical staff members, and the file can be attached to a patient’s medical notes for future reference.

Dental X-rays are one of the most important part of your regular dental treatment. You use the specialized imaging technology to look for hidden tooth decay – also called cavities – and can show dental issues such as abscessed teeth, dental tumors, and cysts.

While many patients see their dentist in-office, others require the dentist and equipment to go to them. Those who are incarcerated, home-bound, in nursing homes, working in underdeveloped locations or stationed on military bases are just some of the patients who may benefit from having access to a portable dental x-ray. Teeth problems could not only be painful but could also cause many health problems. Waiting to access an in-office machine may not be an option depending on the condition.

If the practice is concentrated in endodontic and implant treatment, then a CBCT machine is the most practical method of providing the doctor with diagnostic tools such as mandibular canal location, surgical guides, and pre-surgical treatment planning with the assistance of powerful 3D dental software applications. The patient is benefited by the reduced radiation exposure provided by these machines.

dental equipment, Intraoral Camera

The Use of Dental Intraoral Camera on Oral Pathology

The dental equipment is constantly searching for ways to improve how we can diagnose and treat conditions in the oral environment. The ability to diagnose various types of oral pathology in their earliest forms is a huge benefit to both patients and dentists.

The dental explorer is said to have an accuracy of about 25%, and traditional radiographs have been reported to be about 68% accurate, but the tooth structure has to undergo enough damage for the lesion to become visible and by that time the patient is definitely getting a filling. These traditional lesion detection modalities are simply not capable of spotting small, early pathologies. But new technologies are now available to help clinicians locate and quantify potential problems in the gingival tissues as well as the teeth.

Of course clinically identifying an issue is just the first step. A patient must understand the trouble and consent to treatment, and one of the best tools to get patients engaged emotionally with their oral health care is an intraoral camera. When a patient can see a problem, he or she becomes more emotionally involved in the situation and engaged with finding a solution. With these patients the dental team doesn’t have to sell the patient on a treatment, they only need to find a time in the schedule to restore the problem and a financial plan that works for the patient.

While there are options for lesion detection and intraoral imaging, only a handful are able to combine both technologies into a single device the way has with the intraoral camera system. The camera combines the imaging prowess of a top intraoral camera with unique diagnostic illumination modes that can help identify suspected carious lesions or evaluate periodontal health.
When capturing intraoral images, it helps to have flexibility so you are able to get the specific shot you need for the case at hand. When using the camera I’m able to choose from four magnification levels so I can shoot an extraoral patient portrait or smile, or intraorally capture a full arch, a single tooth or even fine detail on a tooth surface.

Many intraoral cameras can do that, but with a combination system I can also switch to a diagnostic setting and in the case of the camera I can use 450 nm blue LED wavelength which makes potential carious lesions stand out from the healthy tooth structure in a way that is easy for not just a clinician but also for a patient to see and understand. With the camera this extra diagnostic capability goes even further with a periodontal screening setting that can provide images to help patients understand the periodontal issues discovered by their hygienists.