Technologies that Truly Move the Needle
Dentistry has undergone significant transformation thanks to groundbreaking advancements in imaging, lasers, and the tools that drive practice growth and patient satisfaction
When we think of new technology, our mind will often go straight to the cost. The shiny new equipment or material may look and sound great, but will it make enough of a difference to justify the expense? The answer depends on a number of variables. Granted, there’s software that can help you streamline processes; sleek digital imaging systems to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning; and new and advanced materials that can make procedures less tedious or technique-sensitive. But, for many dentists, the effort involved and the unknown outcome render it not worth the risk of the investment.
However, every now and then—maybe once, twice, or a few times during their careers—dentists will discover something so immediately impactful that they realize their practice has turned a corner. It’s an investment that pays for itself in quick fashion and sets down a transformative path for both patient and practice.
Seeing What We Couldn’t Before
For Dr. Todd Snyder, a lecturer and cosmetic dentist in Laguna Niguel, CA, one of those game changers has been in the area of caries detection. By incorporating caries detection systems into the diagnostic process, Dr. Snyder figures he discovers about 25% to 30% more caries. This enhanced ability to find pathology and treat patients earlier has allowed for more minimally invasive treatment, paved the way for longer-lasting fillings, and increased case acceptance.
“I'm amazed at what we don’t find using traditional radiographs,” he said. “And any time I lecture or talk to other people who have used it, they will typically agree and say, ‘It's amazing what we haven't seen.’ It’s literally like someone turned the light on. I'm surprised that more people don’t have it.”
Of course, such systems can do more than reveal caries. They can show patients the need for treatment. One of the systems Dr. Snyder leverages for patient education is the DEXIS CariVu, which uses patented transillumination technology to help identify occlusal, interproximal, and recurrent carious lesions and cracks. Healthy tooth structure appears light while caries appears dark, making it easy for patients to better understand the diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
"It's literally like someone turned the light on. I'm surprised that more people don't have it."
-Todd Snyder, DDS, FAACD, FIADFE
“The CariVu is great because the patient can see something for once. You see a big black mark on the tooth, which would be harder for them to understand on an x-ray when you’re trying to tell them about what’s there,” Dr. Snyder said, adding that it’s a win-win for patient and practice. “It pays for itself instantly within a couple weeks.”
A Beam of Light in the Practice
Another technology that is raising the bar for dentistry in dramatic fashion is the laser. According to the most recent dental technology census conducted by Integrated Media Solutions, parent company of Dental Product Shopper, lasers are now used in 40% of dental practices, where they aid in periodontal therapy, restorative and cosmetic procedures, and in-office whitening. Dr. Jeff Briney, a Dana Point, CA, clinician who speaks internationally on his approaches to surgical, laser, and restorative dentistry, has been using lasers in his practice for over 10 years for periodontal therapy, gingival contouring, and drill-free preparations.
“Hard- and soft-tissue lasers have been an impressive addition to my armamentarium, giving me the ability to do so many procedures—whether it is perio, endo, surgical, or restorative,” said Dr. Briney. “They have raised the bar to a new standard of care for our patients.”
Dr. Snyder noted that lasers have undergone a remarkable evolution since he first lectured on them in the 1990s. “Lasers just continue to evolve and get better,” he said, adding that the diode laser has transformed from a unit the size of a microwave to a pen-sized device or a cordless tabletop system. The CO2 laser—he uses DEKA—can cut through tissue with amazing speed and efficiency. Then there’s the Gemini, Ultradent’s dual-wavelength diode laser. “That one’s phenomenal for cutting soft tissue,” Dr. Snyder said. “When I used it on a patient for the first time, I was like, ‘This is great! It's like a hot knife through butter.’”
One perk that lasers bring to practice is their ability to take the place of local anesthetic. Dr. Joshua Howard, who uses an array of cutting-edge technology at his practice in Dover, NH, says he rarely needs anesthesia when using a laser to prep small to medium restorative cases. “It also has been especially great for our pedodontics cases,” he added. “Imagine how happy the parents are when they see you don’t even need to give ‘the dreaded shot’ to their child!”
Once you’ve used a soft-tissue laser on a patient, according to Dr. Snyder, it’s a revelation. “You’re like, ‘Why did I ever have to deal with cord andbleeding and scalpels and everything else?’ I'm amazed that more people haven't used these.”
Same-Day Dentistry
Of course, the technologies that make a difference in one practice may be completely different than those at the office across town. For Dr. Sully Sullivan, a fifth-generation dentist in Brentwood, TN, and the host of the “Millennial Dentist” podcast, the CAD/ CAM workflow has made a world of difference. “Same-day dentistry is the No. 1 requested service in our practice. Patients value their time, and we see more and more patients choosing our office based on the ability to get crowns prepped, milled, and seated the same day."
CAD/CAM systems have been adapted in roughly 1 in 4 dental practices in the U.S., and standalone digital impression systems are being picked up at an even faster pace. “I’ve been surprised by how much more digital impressions have been adopted vs. a full CAD/CAM workflow,” Dr. Sullivan said. “Digital scanning takes the process one step further by eliminating impression material, but in-house milling takes it the whole way.”
A True Practice Builder
If there is one technology that represents the greatest equipment purchase ever at Dr. Sullivan’s practice, it’s CBCT. The investment in 3D technology just makes sense from a business standpoint, he said. “It’s one of the few things we, as dentists, can invest in that creates cash flow in month one,” he said. “A $2,000 monthly payment can be easily made by just 1 extra implant or 2 extra root canals.”
While extraoral 3D imaging is known for helping with specialties such as implant planning and endodontics, it also is useful for the so-called “bread and butter” dentist who can better diagnose and determine the proper course of treatment. At his practice in Springfield, MO, Dr. Nicholas Hein uses the Planmeca ProMax 3D Classic to obtain complete information on the dentition in the minutest detail. “A lot of general dentists, probably the majority, don’t do specialty work in-office, yet they’re the ones who would benefit from this technology the most,” Dr. Hein said. “When you are involving multiple providers, you have to communicate what’s important about the patient, their history, and any particular concerns about the case. If general dentists want to quarterback the patient’s treatment, then CBCT technology becomes critical for their ability to do so.”
Changing for the Better
Dentistry, in general, may look a lot like it did years ago, but technology and the advancing chemistry of materials have paved the way for better, easier, and faster oral care. Dr. Snyder, whose online dental education program can be found at www.LEGION.dentist, noted that much has stayed the same—for example, the use of resin-based materials to restore. However, dentists have come far enough to be able to laugh about some of the things they used to do, such as mixing impression material by hand and loading it into a syringe.
“If you look at the ability to diagnose with different technologies, to fill faster and easier, to isolate, create a contact, to scan, and for endodontic procedures to find more canals—everything has changed substantially from where we were,” Dr. Snyder said.
