How Dentistry is Evolving: Why Getting a Filling Today Is Better Than It Was in the Past
Let’s face it – most people don’t enjoy going to the dentist. Having a filling is largely considered quite an unpleasant experience, but the fact is, most of those conceptions and fears are rooted in the practices of the past.
Modern dentistry offers a far better experience for the patient. From the tools and materials used to the great speeds and efficiency dentists employ, it doesn’t have to be the daunting trip many think of it as.
In this short article, you’ll learn of three reasons why getting a filling today is far better than it was in the past!
New Tools and Methods for Less Discomfort
Pain and discomfort are the biggest reasons most people are anxious about going to the dentist and having a filling, but fillings are, more often than not, a largely painless experience these days.
Today, dentists prioritize minimally invasive techniques. Take laser dentistry, for example: through the use of high-powered, specially equipped lasers, there’s no noise compared to the loud drills of the past, and there’s also less need for lengthy anesthesia because they cause less irritation to the gums.
The numbing agents used in dental practices have also become much better, and through the use of equipment like intra-oral scanners, accuracy can be greatly improved as dentists can get a much better visual representation of the area they’re working on.
More Technologically Advanced Filling Materials
There have also been great technological leaps in the filling materials used in dental practices. One of the most impressive developments is one-shade bulk fill composite: these newer composite filling materials allow tooth color and texture to be matched to the person’s enamel to the point that the two are indistinguishable – dentistry is improving significantly in the aesthetic sense as well as the technical.
Better products such as these also allow dentists to work quicker and with a greater degree of efficiency. Instead of having to choose from an assortment of different products to match the patients tooth perfectly with the material, they can reach for a single product that takes away all the guess work.
A Greater Focus On Patient-Centered Care
Having a great outcome on basic procedures like fillings isn’t just about the technology that’s being used – dentistry as a whole has evolved in the way of adopting a more patient-centered approach to care, which by default, leads to a better outcome and a more satisfied individual – regardless of the tech being employed.
There is now a much greater emphasis on educating and advising patients on how to take their dental health into their own hands, whether it be dentists taking the time to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, to recommending certain products and offering in-house discounts for them.
Wrapping Up
If a patient visits a reputable dental clinic in 2024, they should rest assured that they’ll have a far more relaxed experience than the idea they’ve conjured up in their head. Like most areas of medicine, dentistry continues to be refined and bettered over time, and that means that patient care will only continue to improve.
