The Latest Advancements in the Teledentistry Industry

In an article published by Biomed Research International on various aspects of teledentistry, the article concluded that most dental professionals have “adequate insight and a positive attitude” towards the application of teledentistry.  The use of technology and telecommunications has revolutionized most industries, with the dental industry being no different. From the incorporation of virtual reality and 3D printing to getting a complete teeth alignment treatment in the comfort of your own home, dentistry has managed to keep up with technology to provide more convenient and efficient treatment.

Introduction to Teledentistry

The term teledentistry first came about in 1997, with its roots linked to a project that was set to assess the dental health of servicemen of the United States army back in 1994. Fast forward to the present day where the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus had caused a surge in the already popular industry. 

Since teledentistry involves live video conferencing, the virtual transfer of medical documents and dental imaging as well as remote patient monitoring, at-home teeth alignment is an excellent example of how the field has made such leaps in regards to dental care. Since the entire process can be done from the comfort of your living room, the procedure works entirely remotely without having to compromise on the quality of medical care received.

At-Home Teeth Aligners

The patient will initially receive a kit to create a 3D mold of their teeth, this mold is then sent back to the company who will utilize the expertise of dental professionals to create clear plate aligners that will be sent back to the patient. There are usually a series of plates that allow for the gradual rectification of misalignment, and the average treatment time is around 6 months if worn correctly and all guidelines are followed.

Despite the fact that this is all done without ever having to visit a dentist office, patients will receive professional dental advice with their progress closely monitored by expert dental professionals. Thanks to digital conferencing, patients receive one on one consultations via online platforms. This allows for any questions or concerns to be addressed whilst the treatment can be accessed to confirm success or decide on a reassessment.

The tracking of a patient’s progress is done  completely through teledentistry technologies. Treatment details can be tracked and monitored online with photo uploads of progress that is then evaluated by a dentist or orthodontist. A team of dental professionals will therefore be able to have access to your progress at any given time should the need to access them arise.

At-home aligners have become increasingly popular, not only for their flexibility and easy access but also because they are significantly more cost effective and the clear aligners are less detectable than traditional metal braces. The aligners are also removable, which makes it easier to clean both your teeth and the aligners. This helps to avoid the difficult task of having to maintain oral hygiene with metal brackets fixed to your teeth.

It is important to note that not all at-home teeth aligners are created equally with the same quality of remote support and attention to detail. Therefore it is vital to conduct enough research on the various brands available to determine what will be the best home teeth straightening kits for your individual needs. 

Look for reviews that have been done by real customers of the various brands as this will most likely provide the most accurate rating of each product. Smile Prep’s Honest Smiles Program is a great resource for credible reviews and can be found on their YouTube channel.

Final Thoughts

The teledentistry industry has developed in leaps and bounds since its inception and based on its progression one can safely assume that there will be exponential growth in the future. Which makes it easier for everyone to have access to professional care. 

At-home teeth alignment goes beyond just cosmetic care as it can help in the prevention of more serious health risks. The remote treatment provides more accessible and affordable options to traditional metal braces and yields positive results that will keep a smile on patients face.