There are numerous aspects of our daily lives that have been changing since the pandemic began. Among them is the press to implement concepts like teledentistry as a standard part of care. Telehealth is far from being a new concept and has been around as long as the telephone. Advancing technology and the pandemic have just served to make its implementation an imperative instead of a slow climb. There are numerous specialties that can make use of teledentistry services. Even the field of orthodontics can effectively provide care using teledentistry processes. We’re going to explore how.
Transitioning From The Office To Teledentistry
One of the primary imperatives of the dental industry is ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need. Dentistry isn’t alone in trying to achieve the ideal of necessary care for all patients. Our life can be impacted by poor oral health in a surprising number of ways. Our lives can even be endangered by infections starting in the oral cavity in serious cases. A more common concern is the impact it has on our mental health. Those with poor oral health have a tendency to experience low self-esteem.
This is just the beginning of the consequences of not receiving proper dental care. Those who experience dental health concerns are shown to have their academic performance impacted. Combine this with increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s, and it’s clear that providing equal access to dental health care is a priority concern. When you consider that nearly half of all United States citizens don’t have sufficient dental insurance, this is clearly of great concern.
There are millions of dental patients throughout the country who are in need of orthodontic care. As previously mentioned, the cosmetic benefits are just the beginning. Misalignment of the jaws and teeth can result in temporomandibular joint disorder and various dental conditions. Misaligned teeth have additional spaces where plaque and debris can build up and contribute to decay. They also make wear and tear on the teeth uneven, can impact our ability to speak clearly, and can even impact our ability to eat properly.
Making teledentistry available to everyone is one way that the dental industry can ensure that everyone has access to the necessary care. To this end, there have been special platforms developed to provide greater access to teledentistry. Advances in dental science have also made new treatment options available that are effective remotely. An example is clear aligners. When combined with at-home dental impression molds, it becomes possible to create and execute a treatment plan without visiting your dentist’s office.
Teledentistry provides the following benefits to patients and dentists alike:
- No need for patients to try DIY trends to get needed care
- Easier scheduling and fewer missed appointments
- Improve dental care access to those in remote areas
- Greater convenience for follow-ups and treatments
- Access to care is easier and safer
Teledentistry has been so successful that a growing number of insurance companies and states are authorizing it as a means of treatment.
Discover Teledentistry With Your Dentist
To begin taking advantage of teledentistry services, it’s important that you reach out to your dental provider. They’ll discuss the forms of teledentistry they provide and what types they will be adding in the future. Every year sees the introduction of additional forms of dental treatment that can be performed using teledentistry.
