** The following is adapted from a story which was originally published in Downingtown Neighbors Magazine.
The world has sure changed in the past twenty to thirty years, and so has the world inside dentistry! Expectations when walking into a dental office no longer have to be so stressful and anxiety-filled, thanks to improved technology and better financing, so you can feel comfortable at your next appointment.
One of the most important changes in our field comes with patient respect and autonomy. Doctors no longer make all of the decisions; at Angstadt Family Dental, our team helps educate our patients and allow them to make informed decisions that are best for them.
The Importance of Technology
The fears and sounds of the dental “drill” (or handpiece) are also minimized with new and more efficient handpieces. They are so quiet that even doctors sometimes question if there is something wrong with them! All the while working more efficiently, faster and more precise than ever before. The sound is no longer that piercing and high pitch sound of the past.
Another massive improvement is that of root canal treatment technology. Using single nickel-titanium files by “Wave-One Gold” from Dentsply Sirona we are able to complete root canal therapy in a fraction of the time! Teeth that used to take an hour plus to complete can now be completed in 20+ minutes, start to finish. It works with a reciprocating motion and single files, as opposed to spinning and multiple files. In this way it cleans the canals better and more efficiently. It’s also accomplished with less force, which results in reduced post-op discomfort for patients.
The new digital scanning and designing technology for dental crowns or caps is another way to decrease patient discomfort. Rather than sticky, droopy and bad tasting impressions of the past, in the right situations, we are able to digitally scan teeth with a camera the size of an electric toothbrush! From there, we can use computer software to design every last detail of a crown, bridge or inlay/onlay for our patients. Truly incredible and exciting for our doctors as well!
What About The Bill?
Of course there’s always the dreaded fear of the bill at the dentist. In today’s dentistry world with things like “CareCredit” and the Wells Fargo “Health Advantage Card,” patients are able to receive interest-free financing to help them pursue care. We also have an in-office “patient loyalty and VIP program” to help patients receive care that many stack with their own insurance to receive the highest level of care and spend less. Most practices will have a financing or payment options page on their website allowing new patients to get a feel for the options available to them.
Patients are also welcome to take advantage of a free and no charge consultation with the doctor by simply mentioning this article! And be sure to continue to check back in on our blog page throughout the month for more dental educational content.
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