I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
Dentists are doctors specially trained to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the teeth, mouth and oral cavity. In Australia, their practice is regulated by the Dental Board of Australia. Family dentists take care of all members of the family irrespective of age, from the kids to the seniors. They attend to a wide range of dental needs.
They advise parents on how to take care of new teeth in children and the importance of getting kids to brush their teeth twice daily. Another important role of family dentists is to identify young children that may require interceptive orthodontics and assist the parents in finding an orthodontist. Conditions such as crowding are easier to treat if there is early intervention.
At the age of 6 for example, the jaw is still developing and the teeth are still growing. Functional arches and jaws that are not in the correct position can be fixed or improved with functional appliances. Interceptive orthodontics is the name of the dental speciality that provides orthodontic treatment for children and the family dentist is in the best position to assist in finding a suitable specialist for such treatment for the child.
Regular dental check-ups at the family dentist help adults keep potential dental problems at bay. If tooth decay is picked up early, the problem can be resolved by dental filling. More expensive treatments such as the crown or root canal therapy may be required if the problem is allowed to fester. If a dental crown is required anyway, modern techniques now make it easy for the dentist to install a perfectly fitting crown fashioned from a mould made by a dental technician from the impression of the patient's teeth.
Loss of enamel exposes the dentin underneath and this can lead to tooth sensitivity. The family dentist can help protect the dentin by performing a bonding procedure. A tooth-coloured material is applied to the surface of the teeth and hardened by a special light. A natural looking surface of the tooth replaces the lost enamel and protects the dentin underneath. Similarly, the family dentists can help restore a youthful smile. A cracked or chipped tooth can be restored in a way that make them appear completely natural again.
Croocked or malaligned teeth can be embarrassing for some.The family dentist can help straighten them by applying braces, but patients concerned about the appearance of traditional metal braces can take advantage of a new technology that enables straightening to be achieved with the use of aligners. They are removable and treatment can still go on as planned provided they are worm for a minimum number of hours per day as specified by the manufacturers.
Family dentists assist the seniors maintain a functional set of teeth by giving appropriate advice for maintaining good standards of oral hygiene. Dentures are arranged when they are necessary but modern dental implants can be arranged as an alternative to the older method of tooth restoration.
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