Digital Dentistry: What You Need to Know

Nothing compares to face-to-face interactions and the human touch in healthcare. And dentistry is no different. However, digital dentistry is now an important aspect of this industry — and it’s here to stay.

In recent years, the dental industry has changed a lot thanks to new technology. From patient check-ups to the tools dentists use, digital dentistry is making everything more efficient, personalized, and easier to access. Let’s explore how technology is reshaping dental care and the benefits it offers to both dental professionals and patients.

Patient Engagement in the Era of Digital Dentistry

Engagement Platforms and Marketing

There are specific, concrete ways that digital dentistry is evolving and we see this in patient engagement.

Something to note about patient engagement is that, over the last few years, patients have now come to expect  more than great oral healthcare. They also expect a great patient experience. And, this is where digital dentistry has a big role to play. There are so many ways that a patient engagement platform can transform efficiency when communicating with your patients, including:

• Automated appointment reminders, both by email and text 
• Digital forms that can be filled out at home
• Message blasts to keep patients informed about sudden changes
• Referral management that facilitates patient tracking

Another meeting place of digital dentistry and patient engagement is in digital marketing. Platforms that can help you manage your online reputation are a key part of growing your practice. A strong online presence, coupled with patient reviews and educational content, boosts credibility and attracts new patients.

Teledentistry: Expanding Access to Care

Teledentistry became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to grow. It allows patients to consult with dentists remotely, which is helpful for those who can’t visit a dental office due to distance, mobility issues, or time constraints.

Through secure video calls and digital images, dentists can perform consultations, post-treatment checkups, and even evaluate emergencies. This virtual care model reduces the need for physical visits, making it convenient for both patients and dental offices.

Leveraging Technology and the Digital Workflow

3D imaging was one of the trends that Intiveo predicted for 2024. This is a very exciting evolution in digital dentistry and has been in use for a few years, and it only continues to grow as a tool for dentists and oral surgeons.

Traditional dental impressions can be uncomfortable and less accurate. Modern digital scanners provide a non-invasive way to capture 3D images of a patient’s teeth, leading to better-fitting restorations like crowns and bridges.

Scanners and imaging technologies are part of this equation. They offer detailed images of bones, soft tissues, and nerve pathways. This is especially useful for complex procedures like dental implants and root canals, reducing complications and ensuring better outcomes.

But, it’s not just 3D imaging and scanners!

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing have revolutionized the creation of dental restorations. Dentists can design and fabricate crowns, bridges, and veneers right in their office, reducing turnaround times and allowing for same-day restorations. This technology ensures greater accuracy, durability, and aesthetics in the final product, enhancing patient satisfaction by minimizing the number of office visits required.

An interesting profile of cutting edge dental technology was featured recently in this article in Dental Town. The dentists used a digital workflow and technology to:

• Repair a denture that had been fractured in two places
• Fabricate a new denture
• Leverage 3D scanning and digital smile analysis to accurately create dentures
• Complete the process in three appointments

Often, patients experience dentistry as less invasive and more efficient with the use of digital dentistry.

Digital Dentistry is Already Here

Practice management solutions have been in use at dental and oral surgery practices for many years now. These tools integrate scheduling, billing, and patient communication. Dentists can access patient history, appointments, and treatment plans while managing insurance claims and financial records all on one platform. Like with patient engagement platforms, this digitization improves internal efficiency and enhances patient care. Plus, many patient management solutions and engagement platforms integrate with each other.

And it’s not just patient management solutions. Electronic health records (EHR) are also part of the digital dentistry landscape. Gone are the days of managing paper records. EHR systems allow dentists to store, retrieve, and update patient information seamlessly. This not only reduces errors but also improves patient outcomes and workflow efficiency.

The Future of Digital Dentistry

For dental practices, adopting digital dentistry is a part of staying competitive, improving patient outcomes, and optimizing operations. 

Digital dentistry will continue  transforming the dental industry by making it more efficient, personalized, and accessible. Both patients and dental professionals benefit from the precision, convenience, and enhanced care that digital technologies bring. 

Resources from Intiveo

Intiveo offers several resources to support dental and oral surgery practices as they engage their patients including guides, self-assessment calculators, template packages, and more. You can also tune into our podcast, The Patient Experience Blueprint. 

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Curious to learn more about how Intiveo can elevate your practice? Book some time with our team.