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The Future of Dentistry: Using AI to Improve Patient Care

As technology continues to advance, dentists are discovering new ways to improve patient care and practice management. One of the most promising technologies for the dental industry is artificial intelligence (AI). By leveraging AI-powered tools and software, dentists can improve diagnosis accuracy, increase efficiency, enhance patient care, and optimize practice management. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of using AI in dentist offices.

 

1. Improved Diagnosis Accuracy

One of the key benefits of using AI in dentistry is its ability to analyze vast amounts of patient data and identify potential issues that may not be immediately apparent to a human dentist. AI algorithms can analyze X-rays, scans, and other diagnostic data, making it easier to identify potential problems and develop more accurate treatment plans. This can result in faster and more effective diagnoses, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes.

  1. Increased Efficiency

AI can help dental practices to operate more efficiently by automating routine tasks such as appointment scheduling and patient communication. This can free up more time for dentists to focus on providing quality care to their patients. AI can also help dentists to work more efficiently during procedures, reducing the time it takes to complete treatments and improving patient satisfaction.

  1. Enhanced Patient Care

By using AI-powered tools, dentists can provide more personalized care to their patients. AI can help dentists to analyze patient data and identify patterns that may indicate potential issues. This can allow dentists to take a proactive approach to patient care, addressing issues before they become more serious. Additionally, AI can help dentists to communicate more effectively with their patients, providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their oral health.

  1. Improved Practice Management

AI can help dental practices to manage their operations more effectively by providing insights into patient behavior and practice performance. For example, AI can analyze patient data to identify trends in appointment scheduling or treatment types. This can help dentists to make data-driven decisions that can improve their practice’s performance and profitability.

  1. Enhanced Patient Experience

The dental experience can be stressful for many patients, but AI can help to alleviate some of that anxiety. By using AI-powered tools such as virtual reality, dentists can provide a more engaging and immersive patient experience. This can help to distract patients during procedures, making the experience more comfortable and less stressful.

In conclusion, AI has the potential to transform the dental industry by improving diagnosis accuracy, increasing efficiency, enhancing patient care, optimizing practice management, and enhancing the patient experience. By embracing AI technology, dentists can stay at the forefront of innovation and provide the best possible care to their patients. The future of dentistry is bright, and AI will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping it.

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Protect Your Investment: The Importance of Denture Cases for Your Oral Health

Dentures are a common solution for those who have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or other reasons. They are an investment in your oral health and overall quality of life, and it is essential to take good care of them to ensure they last as long as possible. One critical aspect of caring for dentures is having a proper storage case.

Denture cases are specifically designed to protect dentures when they are not in use. They offer several benefits that can help preserve the integrity of your dentures and prolong their lifespan. Here are some of the reasons why denture cases are so important:

  1. Protection from damage: Dentures are fragile and can easily become damaged if they are dropped or knocked around. Denture cases provide a safe and secure place to store your dentures, protecting them from accidental damage.
  2. Hygiene: Denture cases are also crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene. Storing dentures in a case prevents them from coming into contact with bacteria, germs, and other contaminants that could cause infection or other oral health problems.
  3. Convenience: Denture cases are designed to be compact and easy to carry around, making them ideal for travel. They provide a convenient way to transport your dentures while keeping them safe and protected.
  4. Preventing warping or distortion: Denture cases are typically designed to keep dentures in their proper shape. This can prevent warping or distortion of the dentures, which can cause discomfort and affect their fit.
  5. Avoiding loss: Lastly, denture cases can help prevent loss of the dentures. When not in use, dentures can easily become misplaced or lost, and having a case provides a designated spot to store them.

In summary, denture cases are an essential accessory for anyone with dentures. They provide protection from damage, help maintain good oral hygiene, and prevent warping or distortion of the dentures. They are also convenient and portable, making them ideal for travel. Investing in a high-quality denture case is a small but crucial step in ensuring the longevity and proper care of your dentures.

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What’s the Deal with Sleep Dentistry and Should I Offer It?

What’s the Deal with Sleep Dentistry?

What makes you anxious?

For a large swath of the population, the answer is: the dentist.

Which can make an already-intricate profession even more so. Navigating a patient’s sensitivities and nerves is a challenge that many medical professionals aren’t really equipped for. That’s why sleep dentistry or, more accurately, sedation dentistry, has become quite popular over the last few years. 

What is sedation dentistry?

Sleep or sedation dentistry is the act of relaxing a patient for procedures ranging from teeth cleaning to full extraction. There are quite a few techniques to choose from which will rely heavily on the procedure itself and the patient’s true level of dental anxiety.

Sedation can be:

  1. Minimal: The patient is awake but relaxed. Can be administered with nitrous oxide inhalation or low doses of pills like Halcion, taken orally one hour before the procedure.
  2. Moderate: The patient is conscious but likely will not remember most of the procedure. Higher doses of Halcion or diazepam are taken one hour before the procedure. The drug can also be given through IV which allows for continual adjustments.
  3. Deep: The patient is borderline unconscious but easily awakened. Intravenous sedation is most commonly used in this case.

And then there is general anesthesia in which the patient is totally unconscious.

Who benefits from dental sedation?

Patients who have a very low tolerance for pain, incredibly sensitive teeth, an inability to sit still, or are scheduled for a significant amount of work are candidates for dental sedation.

When deciding whether or not to incorporate sedation dentistry into your practice, it’s important to be prepared with the following information:

  • An individual’s full medical history
  • Appropriate dose for age and health status (including weight and sleep disorders)
  • The training and/or certifications necessary to administer sedatives
  • The pros and cons of hiring a dental anesthesiologist to outsource the administration
  • The possible side effects of each method

Should I offer sleep dentistry?

With more patients requesting sedation services, it’s a good idea to investigate your options. If you’re comfortable (and licensed, if necessary) to administer sedatives, consider adding it to your offerings. If not, look into the benefits of hiring or contracting an experienced dental anesthesiologist.

Learn more about PlastCare USA and stock up on the products you need for your office!

Sources used: Dental Sedation: The Anxiety-Free Option for In-Office Procedures, Dentaly; Sedation Dentistry: Can You Really Relax in the Dentist’s Chair? WedMD

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Before You Fill that Easter Basket! Can Chocolate Be Good For Your Teeth?

Is chocolate good for your teeth?

It seems that no candy is actually “good for” your teeth. There are, however, candies that are “better than others”. So if you’re interested in the most mouth-friendly Easter basket, move to the section of the store that sells dark chocolate. Pure dark chocolate with no sugar added which are now often found in the form of “cacao nibs” or “raw chocolate”. The flavor is sharp and bitter and may take some time to get used to, but once you do, you’re open to a whole host of health benefits!

What are the benefits of pure chocolate on the teeth?

  1. Fights plaque: The polyphenols in cacao beans reduce the formation of biofilm and production of acid, according to the NIH. In other words, pure cacao has an antibacterial compound that fights plaque and an ability to prevent sugar from turning into damaging acids. This, in turn, stops cavities from forming.
  2. Fights tooth decay: In addition, CBH, a compound in chocolate, is effective at fighting tooth decay due to its ability to harden tooth enamel and may soon be proven more effective at doing so than fluoride. Mark Burhenne, DDS mentions in his blog that he predicts CBH to one day be incorporated in toothpastes and mouthwashes but we are still a few years away from approval. 
  3. Reduces inflammation: Chocolate is able to reduce inflammation, so it could help those that suffer from periodontal disease and gum swelling. 

What kinds of chocolate do I buy?

Since raw chocolate isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (cup of chocolate?), work your way up by starting with chocolates that are at least 70% cocoa. Ghirardelli and Lindt offer anywhere from 72 – 90% cacao, making them better choices for your teeth. Since the sugar count is much lower in bars with higher percentages of cocoa, they are better choices for your health as well.

This is not to say that eating chocolate all day is the answer to pesky dental issues. Incorporating small amounts of pure, raw chocolate can certainly be helpful but there is a limit to which is it good for your health. Consume in moderation and enjoy the benefits of this superfood, which far surpass the health of just your mouth.

If you want to include a broader variety of candies in that basket without completely ruining your (or the recipient’s) mouth, consider one or two pieces of sugar-free candy and candy that has nuts to break up some plaque. Avoid sour candy, lollipops, and sticky candies like Tootsie Rolls. Finally, wait 30 minutes before brushing to avoid pushing the bad stuff deeper into your teeth and gums.

Learn more about PlastCare USA and stock up on the products you need for your office!

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The Best US States to Open Up a Dental Practice in 2023

Photo by Tyler LastovichTyler Lastovich

Are you opening your first practice? Have you been running your own office for years and are finally considering relocation? Depending on your goals, the United States has plenty of locations for a dental business to thrive and generate a nice income. Here are the best states to open a dental practice in 2023.

Where do dentists earn the most?

Delaware
The average yearly salary for a dentist in Delaware hovers just below $280,000, the taxes are low and most of the population has insurance. It’s a small state with an easy connection to Philadelphia. During the summer, you can spend your days off on one of its many beautiful beaches.

Wisconsin
The population is generally wealthy, healthy and insured. Salaries are competitive and average somewhere in the mid-$220,000s. The cost of living is very affordable and you’ll have access to some of the best continuing education at University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Dentistry. Plus, cheese.

Where are dentists needed the most?

Florida
The yearly salary for a dentist in the sunny state of Florida averages around $275,000. With less than 1,000 dentists in the entire state, as per Cloud9 Software, the competition is slim. Insurance is a drawback, not many residents prioritize dental. If you can jump this hurdle, you will have access to warmth and sun for the majority of the year.

Arizona
There are currently less than 450 registered dentists in Arizona. Similar to Florida, a majority of the residents either rely on Medicaid or forgo insurance altogether. However, the population is generally health-conscious and dentists are in high demand. In Prescott, the average salary is around $200,000 per year. Arizona boasts an affordable lifestyle, plenty of golf, hiking and sunshine.

Where do dentists have the highest quality of life?

Vermont
Vermont is not only beautiful, its cost of living is significantly lower than the country’s average. Here you can ski or hike on your days off without giving a second thought to the cost. Should you choose to live in Burlington, you can expect your salary to flirt with the $275k mark.

Hawaii
One of the best states in the USA to open a practice, Hawaii actively needs more dentists. For example, in Honolulu, more than 70% of residents regularly visit one of just 350 dentists on the island. The average salary maxes around $170,000 and the quality of life is one of the highest in the country.

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The Importance of Same-Day Dentistry and How to Offer It.

Everyone wants something, and they want it yesterday.

In such a fast paced world, how does a dental office keep up with patient expectations?

By offering same-day dentistry.

Eliminate the lab and do everything in the office.

What does that mean, exactly?

Let’s face it, people are busy. They don’t have time to go back and forth from the dentist to complete one procedure. They look for alternatives if they’re forced to wait months for an appointment. Patients want to be in and out with their problems solved.

Traditional dentistry is falling to the wayside in lieu of digital dentistry. This convenient approach to the practice is faster, accurate and much more comfortable for the client. It is also more cost-effective in the long-term.

What do I need to become a Same-Day-Dentist?

Known as CAD/CAM (which means computer-aided design/computer assisted manufacturing) this dentistry method enables dentists to design and create prosthodontics and sometimes in less than 1 hour! Dentists can then use a 3D printer to make dental crowns, teeth bridges, veneers, onlays, inlays, dentures, and dental implant-supported prostheses while the patient is waiting.

The technological components of CAD/CAM are growing by the day, and already include software, digital scanners and printers. Here is a video of a chairside milling machine at work.

While switching from traditional to digital dentistry is an investment of both time and money, it is proving itself to be the future. Same-day dentistry is becoming an essential component to a forward-thinking practice.

In the meantime, learn more about PlastCare USA and stock up on the products you need for your office!

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The Trend of Convenience in Dentistry: 5 Simple Ways to Make Patients More at Ease

Patients want to book dental appointments from their phones.

The trend of convenience is taking over dentistry.

Since the pandemic, the population has become more accustomed to the trend of convenience. It’s more common than ever to grocery shop from the kitchen or visit a therapist from your home office.

The desire for ease is permeating the medical industry and is especially noticeable amongst boomers and seniors, who constitute a huge chunk of dental clientele.

Meaning, if you operate a dental office, it is imperative to incorporate comfort into every procedure you offer, from scheduling to surgery.

It might seem like a huge undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. Incorporating CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing, artificial intelligence will certainly lead to a smoother day to day, but there are faster, more economical ways to get started now.

Here are a few suggestions to integrating the convenience trend into your dental practice:

  • Make the intake process easy and quick. Patients want to book from their phones. Finding your contact information, scheduling an appointment and arriving at the office should all be as seamless as possible. It will encourage follow ups and increase word-of-mouth advertising.
  • Reduce waiting time and offer digital distractions, like interactive games for both adults and kids, to make the wait time pass more quickly. Going traditional is never a bad idea either, so remember to stock up on coloring books, up to date magazines and crossword puzzles for the waiting room.
  • Provide entertainment in the exam room itself. This is trending big time and many dental offices are setting up Netflix and the like to keep patient anxiety at bay during difficult procedures.
  • Teledentistry is huge. Be sure to offer virtual services. At minimum you can educate the patient on short term solutions to any issues. At maximum, you can reach clients you wouldn’t otherwise have met. Believe it or not, many patients are willing to travel the extra mile (or many) for a dentist with whom they feel safe.
  • Include a Chat Bot on your website. Ideally the bot is available 24/7, but if it’s not a reality, at least have a chat option for patients to write in during office hours. Less people are willing to make a call these days, and you don’t want to lose a patient simply because they don’t feel like talking on the phone. Don’t lose sight of the trend of convenience in dentistry!

Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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