New Technology in Dentistry
What’s new in dental technology? From no pain to less time in the chair, discover what’s happening in the world of dentistry today.
- Chart Digitization. No more paper to organize. Chart digitization also helps offices stay earth-friendly.
- Dental Lasers. Sure beats the drill! Experts say that the laser will “reduce bleeding, risk of infection and discomfort, and allow for faster healing and speedier procedures.” Something we all want. Check out the details here: http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/884966-1.html.
- Dental Implants. No more dentures! The thought was a dream once but now has become a reality. Replace not only the crown but the root.
- Digital X-rays in 3D. See it all at every angle and with every detail imaginable. Transfer the data to a video monitor and view your teeth in all of its glory inside the examination room. Digital x-rays also admit 90% less radiation.
- DIAGNOdent Decay Detection. Find out if you have cavities quickly using this laser instrument that checks your teeth pain free.
- Healozone. No injection, the stuff (Ozone) takes care of your early tooth decay in one zap. Read the article here: http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fun_dentistry.html.
- Invisalign. Invisible braces! Amazing! Straighten teeth without the railroad tracks. Or, if you want to be daring, choose a color.
- OraVerse reverses numbness following your exam. No more numb lips!
- Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning takes care of stains, bacteria and plaque buildup with no scraping or pain.
- VELscope helps your dentist to “visualize abnormalities in the mucosal tissues of your lips, mouth and upper throat,” states the VELscope website. Doctors can see your overall oral health in less than 2 minutes.
- Waterlase uses water and laser for dentistry procedures. It is “more comfortable” “more convenient” and “more precise” states laserdentistry.com.
New technology is truly a wonder. What more could a patient want than greater comfort, no pain and even more time in a busy day to do what they really want?
Best Dentistry Blogs for Patients
You need some help but you’re not ready to call the dentist—yet. What can you do minimize tooth pain, get rid of swollen gums, and keep your breath fresh?
These blogs will help you before you decide to make that needed trip to the dentist.
- The “Dental Hygiene Blog” helps you to better understand bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, lip lesions and more. Why do you have yellow teeth, for example? And what can you do about wisdom teeth pain? http://www.sanedentist.com/common-dental-problems/.
- Think a natural remedy might work to solve your tooth pain? Try “Christiana’s Home Remedies.” Tooth abscess? Gum boil? Christina may be able to help you. Additional information on allergies, acne, and depression is also offered on this blog. http://www.christinas-home-remedies.com/tooth-abscess.html.
- Get as close to the real thing without stepping into the office when it comes to dental care on this blog. The “Dental Health Site” assists you with everything from bad breath and canker sores to problems with yellow teeth. Get the latest information on oral thrush, plaque and tartar and tooth decay. http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/.
- “Smile Again Dental Blog” takes the cake or at least, the carrot, when it comes to great information. Learn more about cold sores, orthodontic treatment, toothbrush use, dental implants and more on this blog. “Smile Again Dental” is more about giving you information to help your oral health, and less on trying to get you to come into their office—unless, of course, it’s time.
After reading one or more of the above blogs, you may decide you can’t “wait” to see the dentist, though your legs and heart may be telling you otherwise. The good news is that you can help yourself with many of the issues at hand before making that needed trip.
Best Dentistry Blogs for Dentists
You’re a dentist. And whether you enjoy oral surgery or orthodontic care, these blogs will assist you in not only creating a more interesting practice, but better service for the patients you count on.
Here’s the list:
- Dental Blogs.com provides dentists with the latest dental related news, management tips, even ideas on how to Tweet. Get the latest on procedures, products, and business trip ideas. Review podcasts, video, and subscribe to the RSS feed. http://www.dentalblogs.com/
- Dentistry’s Business Secrets. Learn the secrets of a profitable and service worthy business. Get the grit on attracting new patients, dental oriented reviews, events and marketing. Get a Google Placement Local Listing and see patient numbers increase. http://www.dentistrysbusinesssecrets.com/.
- Are you a pediatric dentist? Then you’ll want to check out this Pediatric Dentistry blog written by Dr. Dean Brandon, pediatric dentist. Learn more about fluoride water, braces, medblogging, and more. Hundreds of topics on this great blog. http://cyberdentist.blogspot.com/.
- Modern Dental Marketing does what it says; helps you with the ins and outs of marketing to see more customers through the creation of an outstanding dental blog, logo, or newsletter. Get some help from Modern Dental Marketing or read the blog to discover what you can do on your own to improve the visual appeal of your business. http://moderndentalmarketing.com/tag/dentistry-blogs/.
- Are you interested in endodontics? You’ll not want to miss this blog. “The Endo Blog” assists dentists regarding clinical practices. Endo has room for education as well as discussion. Be a part of their discussion forum and discuss your interests in treatment and research. http://www.theendoblog.com/.
- The Digital Dentist speaks to dentists interested in upgrading their technology systems. Learn about the free “Dental Care Finder,” free webinars, and more. http://thedigitaldentist.blogspot.com/.
Being a great dentist means more today than being able to handle the tools of the trade. One must keep informed of the latest developments in technology as well as know how to use technology to improve and grow their business. Make a decision to make a change today by perusing a few of these blogs.
Best Careers in Dentistry
Image via Wikipedia
What are the best careers in dentistry? What do they pay? How do you know what dentistry niche is right for you?
These ideas will help:
- Dental Assistant’s provide care for patients; are involved in office and lab duties. Training is obtained from dental assisting programs and is offered in community and junior colleges and trade schools. The median pay rage for dental assistants is $33,230 a year.
- Dental Hygienist’s usually work as part of a team and look for problems within the mouth including gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer. Professional cleaning is also provided by a dental hygienist. Training is offered through community and career colleges. The average pay for a hygienist is about $30,000 per year.
- Dental Technician’s or Lab Technician’s build prostheses’ for patients. Work with dental appliances in reconstruction and repair. Create crowns, partial dentures or bridges. Training is offered through dental lab technician programs. Get a degree from a community college or a bachelor’s degree from a university. The average pay for a dental lab technician is between 30,000 and 40,000 per year.
- Oral Surgeon’s take care of defects, injuries and diseases of the mouth. Four years of dental school must be completed as well as four years of surgical hospital residency to become an oral surgeon. Oral surgeon’s make over $260,000 a year.
- Orthodontist’s take care of irregular teeth in relationship to the patient’s jaw. Orthodontist’s attend dental school, receive a bachelor’s as well as a doctorate degree. A post-doctoral orthodontics program must be completed as well as clinical rotations, or work experience. The median salary for an orthodontist is $142,870 a year.
Other careers in dentistry include pariodontistry, (working with the gums, bone, tongue and cheeks) as well as pediatric dentistry (working with children). Often, through study in your chosen college, university or dental program, you will discover your niche in dentistry—and that’s when you need to take a closer look.
Keep your Teeth Healthy as an Adult
You know the rules, the way to brush and not to brush. Still, as you get older, those little cavity suckers seem to be eating your mouth out. You’ve had root canals, pulled teeth experiences, and even gingivitis. For years you have been told to floss, but you haven’t. You have been told to visit the dentist twice a year from the dentist as well as your good old insurance policy, but do you?
Here’s what you can do to keep your teeth and gums in the pink!
- Choose your toothbrush carefully. You probably don’t want hard bristles. Soft bristles help you to brush without hurting your gums.
- Brush twice a day. Use a toothpaste with flouride.
- Floss at least once a day. Take the weekend off if you’d like to, but resume on Monday.
- Or invest in a Water pik toothbrush. A lot like flossing, but far more fun. Around $50.
- Gargle with mouthwash after brushing. Keep your breath smelling fresh, and give your teeth and gums an extra kick.
- Visit the dentist twice a year. Even a small cavity is a better experience than a large one.
- Whitening your teeth doesn’t keep your teeth any more healthy, but whitening does make your teeth look healthier. Try this free home whitening remedy here: http://www.essortment.com/all/whitenyourteet_pry.htm or ask your dentist what she recommends.
Knowing the rules of teeth brushing, as you know, if only half of the battle. The difficult part comes in the doing. Start out small. Perhaps floss twice a week to start, or floss only at night when you’re not in a hurry. Find a way to remember what you’ve started; whether it is sticking a handy reminder on your vanity mirror or keeping the items for use out on the counter until you have it down.
Keeping your teeth healthy may not appear easy at first, but like everything else you start and somehow manage to finish, healthy teeth will come in time, and you’ll be glad you did it.
Keep your Children’s Teeth Healthy
Your children tell you they have brushed their teeth when they haven’t, they paint the counter with their toothpaste in favor of brushing with it, and they use every excuse in the book not to brush.
My favorite?
“I did it yesterday.”
Here’s how to keep them brushing:
- Give out a reward. We’re not talking food here; they’ve just brushed their teeth. We’re talking more about a jar filled with stickers or small toys—the ones you can get at the dollar store.
- Make a chart. When your children have brushed for an entire week without fail, they can dip their hand into the tooth brushing jar.
- Purchase a musical toothbrush. All the rage, musical toothbrushes sing a little ditty until the brushing should be over. Musical toothbrushes can be found at your local grocery store as well as online. Options include “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King,” “If you’re Happy and you Know it,” and more.
- Even if your children aren’t allowed sugary snacks, they still must learn how to brush so as to avoid tooth decay. At their next visit, if your child is not offered plaque disclosing tablets that show where he has brushed and where he hasn’t, ask for a few. For a week, use the tablets as a motivation for exceptional brushing. When your child has a mouth without any red spots, he will know he has won the prize from the jar.
- Keep a dentist’s poster of your choice on a mirror above the sink. Ask for a free one at the dentist; they often have them, or purchase a poster here: http://www.zazzle.com/dental+posters.
- Pick up some children’s flavored toothpaste.
Keeping your kid’s teeth healthy can be a real trick, but it will be a real treat for you the next time you take them to the dentist if they don’t have any cavities because you’ve used some of the above ideas to keep them brushing.
