Dental anxiety and mistrust are among the leading reasons individuals avoid dental treatment. Approximately 36% of people in the U.S. have a fear of dental care, with 12% experiencing extreme fear. This leads to missed appointments, neglected tooth pain, and poor oral health. Fortunately, emerging dental technologies are significantly improving patient care and outcomes, helping to reduce the prevalence of anxiety and mistrust associated with dental treatments.
The prevalence and impact of dental anxiety
Due to its impact on overall health and quality of life, dental anxiety is categorized as a major public health concern. Each year, 40 million Americans avoid the dentist because of anxiety, resulting in serious consequences for their oral health. Individuals experiencing dental anxiety are more likely to have at least one missing or decaying tooth and are at higher risk of gum disease and early tooth loss.
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The fear of dental treatment affects a patient’s overall quality of life. One in three Americans aged 50-64 feel ashamed about the state of their teeth, and 38% report that dental conditions have caused them pain, difficulties with eating, or interference with their daily lives. With one in six individuals over the age of 65 missing all their teeth, it is apparent that improvements in the dental industry are urgently needed.
Establishing trust and understanding patients’ fears is critical for providing relief. Doctors can reduce mistrust by walking patients through the process, discussing their concerns, and presenting potential solutions. This allows patients to visualize and participate in their dental treatment. In addition to thorough communication, advancements in dental technology have revolutionized the patient experience.
Tech innovations are revolutionizing the dental industry
Innovations such as intraoral digital scanners and advanced radiology tools can significantly minimize dental anxiety. For example, intraoral digital scanners eliminate the discomfort associated with traditional dental mold trays, which are often used to capture replicas of patient’s mouths for implants, braces, and orthodontic procedures. These molds can be uncomfortable, and patients with fragile or loose teeth may worry that the mold could dislodge their teeth. Intraoral digital scanners offer a convenient alternative for patients with vulnerable teeth. The non-invasive scanner is a small, handheld device that is placed in the patient’s mouth and carefully moved across their teeth and gums to create a fully digital and more accurate image of the mouth. Dentists can also utilize extraoral radiology, including cone beam CT scans, to reduce the need for excessive sensors placed in the mouth. These tools enable patients to visualize every step of their treatment, providing security and confidence.
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Virtual smile design technology elevates visualization by allowing patients to see an image of what their appearance could look like following treatment. The process involves taking images of a patient’s teeth and smile and manipulating the data to design an improved smile. Patients can see an accurate representation of their future results, which incorporates their tooth shape, size, color and alignment. Additionally, the integration of 3D printers significantly improves efficiency for both providers and patents, by enabling dental providers to manufacture essential treatment components in-office. This technology not only streamlines the workflow for providers, but also aids the timeliness of patient solutions.This not only showcases the dental provider’s expertise but also helps patients make informed decisions with clear expectations.
These innovations contribute toward creating a safer and more comfortable environment while reducing possible triggers. Triggers can include the prolonged time patients spend with their mouth open, which may cause pain and discomfort for individuals with trismus or limited jaw mobility. Trismus can result from TMJ disorders, trauma, muscle or nerve dysfunction, or oral cancer treatments. Other triggers diminished by technology include lack of knowledge about treatment details and uncertainty around results.
Enhancing patient care
The integration of the latest technologies improves diagnostic quality and accelerates treatment solutions, decreasing the time patients spend in discomfort or pain due to dental issues. Modern oral scanning technology creates state-of-the-art imagery of the patient’s mouth, providing a detailed view of the condition of the teeth to better inform treatment plans. Improved reliability and consistency in diagnosing patients support dynamic, individualized treatment plans.
The adoption of patient-centric technologies enriches dental treatments, making them more personalized and tailored to patient needs. Dental providers can adjust their approaches based on individual concerns, dental history, and oral health demands. Cutting-edge materials used in treatments, such as dental implants, are customized to the exact specifications of a patient’s mouth, optimizing comfort and improving patient outcomes.
Workflows are now efficiently streamlined through the integration of these technologies, contributing to expedited results. Today’s patients are looking to avoid healthcare treatments that require multiple visits. In a survey conducted by Futuredontics, 30% of respondents said convenience is the top reason for selecting their dentist. While dental implants typically require 3-10 appointments, innovations in modeling synthesize dental treatments, providing access to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and dental labs under one roof. This model minimizes appointments and reduces the time patients spend in the chair, allowing them to feel more at ease with treatment decisions and boosting their confidence in overcoming their fears.
For dental professionals seeking the latest technology for their patient base, be sure to understand what exactly you need and properly vet the software or hardware before implementation. It’s important to understand how this will add value to your patients and staff. As healthcare providers, we are obligated to strive for the highest quality of care, and with the integration of the right advanced technologies, we can help alleviate dental anxiety and mistrust in the industry.
Picture: Nastasic, Getty Images
Theresa WangDr. Theresa Wang is the chief clinical & development officer at ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers. She received her doctorate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She then completed advanced training and certification in prosthodontics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she concurrently earned a Masters degree in prosthodontics and completed and published clinical research on dental implants. She has extensive training with the latest dental technologies and dental materials. Dr. Wang also holds an Illinois license as a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics. By combining her knowledge of the most current dental technologies with her particular aesthetic eye, she is equipped to design smiles that have substantial effects on her patients’ lives.This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.