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Dental Industry Changes within the Marketplace

The dental industry is changing rapidly due to new technologies and new materials. New technologies include:

Digital
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Lasers
Composites / Amalgams
Implants
Chemotherapeutic Agents
Cosmetic Dentistry

Digital

Charts. Enables a dentist to save space and store large hard copies of files. Although the software may be expensive at first, overall savings exceed the cost.
Photos. Digital photos allow a dentist to make a more accurate diagnosis of their patient’s oral needs.
X-rays. Digital X-rays allow a dentist to transfer images via the Internet to other specialists and consultants. Digital X-rays allow patient mobility in that they are able to visit a specialist or consultant without having to take their X-rays with them or having them re-done. When a patient moves, X-rays can be sent to the next dentist.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Claims received from EDI increase efficiency between the patient, provider and the insurance company. There are fewer attachments with EDI claims and better security of the attachments when they are sent to the insurance carrier.

Lasers

There are two types of lasers, Smile and Water lasers. Smile lasers are typically used for bleaching purposes.
Water lasers have many uses including sealant removal and re-bonding, etching for composites, shallow decay, micro dentistry and tunnel preps. Water lasers are also used for initial incisions, biopsies of soft tissue lesions, removal of composite fillings, incise and drain.

New materials used by the dental industry include composites, chemotherapeutic agents and cosmetic dentistry.

Composites / Amalgams

Costs differ between composites and amalgams. Overall, amalgams are less expensive than composites and usually last longer. Amalgams tend not be as aesthetic as composites.
Dental Amalgam, which is a mixture of mercury and other metals, mostly silver, tin and copper, is still the most widely used restorative material for direct posterior fillings.
The mercury in amalgam chemically combines with other metals to render it stable and therefore safe in accepted dental applications. It should be know that there is absolutely no credible scientific evidence linking amalgam to any known human malady other than the rare case of actual allergy.
Generally the selection of composite over amalgam should be driven by esthetic or increased expense of the patient.

Implants

Implants are quickly becoming the treatment of choice in specific cases. One case in particular is single implants between existing teeth. The alternative treatment would be either a bridge or a removable partial denture. The implant has a longer lifespan. The initial cost is more but the adjunctive treatment to the adjacent teeth is less. This means such issues as recurrent decay, root canals and fractures on adjacent teeth are less likely because of the alternative treatment.
Implants will become more affordable and treatment will become less involved in the future. Presently, you place the implant and wait four to six months for stabilization. It looks like implants will be one unit with an abutment and a crown that can be placed immediately.

Chemotherapeutic Agents

It has been recognized that the bacteria in the mouth, if uncontrolled, can cause definite systemic medical problems; low birth weight, early births and cardiac problems. Chemotherapeutic agents used as a rinse, or placed between the tooth and the gum, have been shown to significantly decrease bacteria in the mouth. The use of antibiotics for people with heart valve problems and joint replacement surgery has become mandatory to prevent serious medical problems.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Bleaching, veneers and composites are becoming increasingly popular in today’s society. The trend will continue to increase in this area as individuals are looking to have the “perfect smile.”

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