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Dental Technology of Today

About Dental Technology of Today

In today’s world, technology ensures the world works efficiently. At Digital Doc, we believe that diagnosing patients at your practice should be easy. That’s why we’ve designed the best dental technology products on the market. Our high-quality devices are minimally-invasive, fast, and effective. Investing in your practice using Digital Doc technology will ensure that patients receive the best treatment possible. Below, we explore some of the best dental technology of today that is used for diagnosing, restoring, and treating patients.

Handheld X-Ray Device

Digital Dental X-rays are a common diagnostic tool used in dental practices. They are an essential tool that allows you to evaluate your patients’ jaw bone and teeth. They can also be used to diagnose bone mass loss that results from gum disease as well as diagnosis cavities. Many dental practices use XTG digital handheld dental x-ray devices because:

They use less radiation as compared to traditional x-rays
They don’t require film and produce the finest picture quality.
The images captured can be enlarged or enhanced easily.

There are two types of x-rays that are commonly found in dental practices. The first is the extra-oral x-ray. As you may know, this is when x-rays are taken on the outside of the mouth, specifical x-rays of the jaw and the skull. These x-rays are used to observe the growth of jaws in regard to teeth as well as diagnose problems with the TMJ or identify any affected teeth.

On the other hand, intraoral x-rays are taken inside the mouth. Similarly, these are used to examine the tooth roots and the surrounding bone as well as in cavity detection, monitoring teeth development, and checking jawbone overall health. The most common intraoral x-rays include:

Panoramic x-rays that capture all your teeth in one shot. This type is used to diagnose a jaw problem, plan for implants, or plan for wisdom tooth extraction.
Occlusal x-rays detect abnormalities in the bottom or top of your mouth.
Bitewing x-rays check for cavities between teeth.
Periapical x-rays usually focus on two teeth as a whole, from the roots to their crowns.

Intraoral Cameras

Gone are the days where you have to poke around in your patients’ mouth with a mirror and a headlight. Today, intraoral cameras like the IRIS X80 Liquid Lens Autofocus dental camera take diagnostics and patient education to a whole new level. The IRIS X80 effortlessly captures crystal clear images of your patients’ teeth, gums, and other structures inside their mouths. Our friend Dr. Dave Moghadam, a family dentist in Easton, PA, says that intraoral cameras is truly a game changer for any doctor looking to increase case acceptance.

Transillumination Devices

Transillumination Devices, such as the LuM Sub-Enamel Illumination device, make caries detection very easy. This is because you’re able to see a clear view of tooth structures in a way that isn’t possible with just a dental camera.

The advancements of dental technology, as seen from the few examples above, have resulted in positive changes to the experiences of dental patients while also making the work of dentists and assistants even easier. So, if you, too, would like your practice to enjoy the benefits that the latest dental technology can offer, contact Digital Doc today.

What is Your Dental Practice Worth?

What is Your Dental Practice Really Worth?

While many homeowners know how much their homes might be worth in the current market, the same cannot be said for dentists, not in terms of homeownership but about their practices. It is estimated that more than 90% of dentists have no idea or even rough estimate of the value of their practices. So, what is your dental practice worth?

Knowing your dental practice’s worth helps you keep your options open regarding retirement or planning your next career move.

To learn the value of their practice, Digital Doc suggests that dentists should:

Get a Professional Practice Valuation

To accurately determine the potential value and profit margin of a practice, one requires industry-specific skills and expertise. This is why it is essential to contact a professional who specializes in dental practice appraisals.

Before choosing, though, you should also consider the price of an appraisal. While dental practice appraisals are an important tool in retirement and career planning, a thorough appraisal requires special insight. It is a time-consuming process, which may bump up its cost significantly. Practice appraisers may charge an average of $5,000. If you would prefer not to spend this, you should source an expert appraiser that doesn’t require a high fee.

Having a professional valuation done for your practice requires a lot of assessment as well as documentation. These may include the following;

The current balance sheet
Tax returns and profit and loss statements for the last three years
List of employees, complete with salary or wage information
Active patient roster
New patients the facility has received in the last year
Production is broken down by procedure type and provider
Office hours
Dentists’ biography
The insurance plans accepted
Photo documentation of equipment, such as the best dental cameras and office
A copy of the lease (where applicable)
Accounts receivable aging report

After getting practices appraised, dentists can then:

Weigh Their Options

The two main reasons why dentists need to know the value of their practices is career planning and retirement. Having this information on hand gives them the option of either selling their practice before they retire, which can be equated to the liquidation of an asset, or transitioning their practice while making a career move.

Knowing the value may also help make decisions and investments that may double or even triple the practice’s share value and overall value.

Make the Best Decision for Your Practice

There are many factors that affect the value of a practice. A professional appraiser may factor in the following to help determine the value of your practice. This includes:

Practice availability in the community
The location of your practice
The building type, e.g., retail center or standalone building
Regional growth
Signage
The number of active patients, i.e., those who’ve visited the facility within the last one and a half years
Retention rates
Patient attraction
Value of dental equipment, e.g., intraoral dental cameras, and portable dental x-ray system.

What to Expect During Your Practice Valuation

The appraiser may include the practice type in the appraisal, whether it’s a specialty practice that relies on referrals or general practice. The appraiser will also note the number of new patients that visit your practice on a monthly or annual basis and assess whether these patients move on or stay with the practice. This helps determine an attrition rate.

The value of dental equipment, ranging from handheld dental X-ray devices to the best intraoral sensor, is determined by the condition of the office and potential resale pricing. Additionally, profit margins and practice revenue trends are also considered. Dr. Chris Green, a Parker, CO dentist, says many appraisers focus on the most recent year as well as the last three years. This is why many dentists who plan to sell their practice are advised not to reduce their activities before the sale.

The information an appraisal provides enables you to make informed decisions on how you would like to proceed or let go of your practice. Additionally, the sooner you find out the value of your practice, the better.

There’s not necessarily a perfect time for having your practice appraised, so you should have one done when your books are in order. This will make it easier to gather the information required.

So, what is your dental practice worth? Why spend another month without knowing the value of your practice? Get that appraisal done ASAP!

Tips for Taking Proper Digital Radiographs

Tips for Taking Proper Digital Radiographs in Your Practice

One of the most important advancements in dentistry is digital radiography. It saves time, and it’s less labor-intensive, has reduced radiation exposure, and makes patient diagnosis a breeze.

Radiographs are similar to dental x-rays, with the only difference being the digital sensor. Digital Doc’s Blū digital x-ray sensor captures crystal-clear images instantly. This makes radiographs an essential part of any dental practice. To make sure that you are using your new dental sensor properly, our Digital Doc team shares the following tips for taking proper digital radiographs.

Operating Your New Digital X-Ray Sensor

Below are a few tips on how to comfortably and properly take digital radiographs.

Maxillary Anterior

When taking a radiograph of the maxillary anterior segment, use a rolling scoop motion to position the sensor in the patient’s mouth. Make sure that you place the dental x-ray sensor parallel to the long axis of the teeth. After moving the sensor’s cable to one side, have the patient bite down onto the bite block. Once stable, you can press the exposure button.

Mandibular Anterior

A radiograph of the mandibular anterior segment may be a bit uncomfortable for the patient. To help with the discomfort, tell your patient to place the tip of their tongue to the lingual of their lower jaw incisor teeth. You can then use a rolling scoop motion and place the sensor on top of the tongue before rolling it into an upright position. The tongue acts as a cushion for any tender or sensitive soft tissue. Once the dental sensor has again been placed parallel to the teeth’s long axis and the bite block centered on the mandibular central incisors, the patient can then bite down on the block. When stability is achieved, you can press the exposure button.

Posterior Mandibular

A posterior mandibular segment x-ray can be uncomfortable for your patient. You can therefore use a foam cushion or gauze to provide some comfort. Ensure the cushioning you use is compatible with your digital dental sensor before use. To take the radiograph, retract the patient’s cheek using either an instrument or your finger and guide the intraoral sensor into the mouth, placing it between the teeth and the tongue at a 45º angle. Steadily move the sensor back till it’s level will the posterior teeth, either molars or premolars. Repeating the process again, move the cable out of the way, have the patient bite down on the bite block, and press the exposure button once stability is achieved.

Posterior Maxillary

The radiograph of your patient’s posterior maxillary segment employs the same technique as above, the only difference coming in during the positioning of the sensor and its angling. Unlike in the posterior mandibular segment x-ray, the best intraoral sensor is angled to capture the apices of the roots.

More Tips for Taking Proper Digital Radiographs

Apart from these detailed suggestions for taking digital radiographs, you can also:

Ensure you use the correct dental x-ray alignment

Correctly positioning your receptor as well as your handheld x-ray beam, ensures that the images come out clear. If either one or both are not positioned correctly, the teeth may appear overlapped, shortened, or elongated in the x-rays.

Ensure you include the patient’s whole mouth with the dental x-rays

Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, says that he often takes full-mouth x-rays. If you are required to take a panoramic x-ray, include all the mouth sections, even those with missing teeth, such as when wisdom teeth have been removed.

Refrain from bending the x-ray film

Bending the receptor or film may result in unclear or distorted images. To counter this, either use rigid digital receptors as they cannot be bent and are made using hard plastic or use a receptor that best fits the patient’s mouth size when they bite.

Adjust exposure when taking an x-ray

For an x-ray to produce a properly exposed image, it should be noted that a larger mouth requires more light as compared to a smaller mouth. You should, therefore, adjust your exposure settings depending on the patient’s mouth size. As compared to a larger adult, a petite adult or child may require a lower setting. Failing to set your exposure correctly may produce images that are over or underexposed.

Make your patient comfortable

A patient who is uncomfortable tends to reposition themselves or move while the x-ray image is being captured. Those movements may cause the images produced to be poorly defined or blurry. You can help keep your patient still by:

Ease their gag reflex. This can be done by telling your patient to hum, breathe deeply through their nose, or refocus their attention.
Providing your patient with neck and head support before you capture the x-rays using your XTG portable dental x-ray.

Following these tips will ensure that your radiographs are of good diagnostic quality. If you need more help operating your new dental sensor by Digital Doc, our support team is happy to help. Are you interested in upgrading your dental sensor to Blū? Schedule your free virtual demonstration today.

How Dental Technology Pays for Itself With Marketing

How Dental Technology Pays for Itself With Marketing Efforts

It is a matter of necessity for dental practices to regularly upgrade their technology so that they can serve the needs of patients better, faster, and more cost-effective. However, it is also a fact that some dental technology can be pricey, so careful thought has to be put into marketing that newly acquired technology so that more patients can benefit from it, and the equipment can pay for itself. Here are some suggestions that you can put into consideration so that your new dental technology pays for itself with marketing.

Think Marketing from the Get-Go

At Digital Doc, we recommend that you think about the consumer side of the technology before invest in it. Before investing in technology, consider the following:

Is there a consumer demand?
Will this technology help you stand out as a dental practice?
Will the technology have a positive impact on your bottom line?
What’s the ROI rate?

Is The Dental Technology Unique?

In our experience, most patients who visit dental offices live within a 7-mile radius from that office. Research some of the dental practices within your general area so that you find out if any of them are using modern dental technology.

If you are lucky enough to be the first to own the technology, you will have an edge over your competition because you can market this unique part of your practice.

How Can Your Patients Benefit?

There is little justification to acquire dental technology that doesn’t offer any real value to patients. Therefore, you need to ask yourself how patients stand to benefit from that new technology before you make the decision to invest in it.

For example, when you acquire a handheld dental x-ray device, your patients will be grateful because of the amount of radiation that they will be exposed to will drastically reduce. Additionally, high-quality x-ray images are available right away, and this means that an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can be offered sooner.

It is easier for you to market dental technology if you can show your patients the benefits. In no time, your initial investment will pay for itself!

If you really want to know what your current patients think about dental technology, post an online survey. That way, you can gauge how important it is for their dentist to use high-quality dental technology. Additionally, you can also keep records of how many patients are unhappy about the way a certain procedure is done. Consider using this data when investing in new technology.

You can also ask your followers on social media what they think. Ask them if they would rather go to a modern dental office or a traditional office if they’d rather have the best dental equipment at their dentist or mediocre equipment. Doing market research will give you concrete information upon which you can make an investment decision.

How Will You Promote the Technology?

At this point, if investing in new technology is best for your dental practice, then contact Digital Doc for a virtual demonstration. Our team will help you get started!

Whether you’ve decided on IRIS dental cameras, handheld x-ray, or dental x-ray sensor, it’s important to start creating buzz around your new tools.

Create Value Statements

One way to promote the newly acquired portable dental x-ray is by coming up with as many value statements as possible so that your staff uses those statements while interacting with patients. Role-play by your staff can be a great way to get familiar with promoting technology to patients.

Advertise Modern Technology on Your Website

You can also update your website so that every site visitor learns about the technology you’ve just acquired. Most dental marketing experts will recommend using modern dental practice keywords as well as adding a technology page to your website.

Go to Social Media

Use Facebook Live to share with your friends and followers the process of unboxing the new technology. Go a step further and even upload videos of your staff members using the portable dental x-ray system on one another so that your patients can see how it works. Our friend, Dr. O’Grady, a dentist in Denver, CO, does a great job of marketing his dental practice.

Online Reviews for Your Practice

Request for online reviews on your Facebook or Google My Business page. Those reviews will serve as social proof that your technology offers a better experience for patients. Ultimately, attracting more patients to experience the best dental services possible.

How the XTG Handheld X-Ray Can Help Your Practice

handheld x-ray can help your practice - Digital Doc

How the XTG Handheld X-Ray Can Help Your Practice

How the XTG Handheld X-Ray Helps Dental Practices

It doesn’t matter whether your dental practice currently uses digital or film X-ray sensors. The XTG handheld X-ray device will fit right in and bring advanced radiology right into your operatory! This portable X-ray system can be worn like a cross-body bag or guitar, or you can mount it on a tripod within the operatory. The choice is yours.

However, many dentists prefer to use the shoulder strap so that the x-ray device rests on your hip. In this way, you can walk around your operatory or from one room to another. At just 5.2 pounds, the portable dental x-ray system is the lightest in its class. Therefore, you should have no worries that you will suffer any aches and pains while using this device.

Besides, this handheld dental x-ray is designed to be used with only one hand, so you can switch to using your left or right hand in the course of the day just for its variety! In this article, we share how the XTG handheld x-ray can help your practice.

Benefits of Using the XTG Handheld Dental X-Ray

Reduced risk of radiation exposure.

Traditional x-ray equipment isn’t just bulky but carries a higher risk of radiation exposure. As patients become more conscious about their safety, it helps to invest in an XTG portable dental x-ray device. Patients will appreciate the new x-ray device that drastically reduces the amount of radiation to which a patient is exposed without compromising the quality of the images captured.

Ease of use.

Once our Digital Doc team helps you set up the XTG portable x-ray system, all you have to do is plug it in and start taking clear x-ray images. You’ll save more time with the XTG because it’s so user friendly. In other words, just about anyone can operate this device.

Higher case acceptance rates.

The images taken using the portable dental x-ray system can be instantly displayed on a patient education monitor. Dr. Ben Kacos, the best dentist in Shreveport, LA, agrees that it helps if the monitor is large (think 50-plus inches) to see the high-quality x-ray images clearly. As you point out the areas of concern to a patient, that individual will be in no doubt regarding the necessity of the treatment plan that you propose since they will have seen for themselves the magnitude of the defect.

The list of benefits of using the handheld dental x-ray system goes on and on. Dentists enjoy using this x-ray device because it offers better care to patients, improves workflow, and increases case acceptance. Contact us today and schedule an in-office or virtual demonstration of how the XTG can be beneficial to your dental practice.

Benefits of a Dental Sensor

5 Benefits of a Dental Sensor

5 Benefits of a Dental Sensor: Blū By Digital Doc

Dental x-rays are an essential part of routine dental exams. Not only is it important to examine the external areas of teeth, but it’s important to examine the internal areas as well. There is no denying that traditional dental x-rays have helped many people. However, advancements in technology have allowed engineers to create products that provide instant, HD digital imagery. Going digital can take your practice to the next level, but what exactly are the benefits of a dental sensor?

1. High-Resolution Imagery in Your Office

Dental technology bridges the gap between doctors and patients. How so? By providing crystal clear imagery, you can show your patients the problem rather than tell them about the problem you see. It’s hard to say yes to expensive procedures when the problem isn’t apparent in low-quality imaging. The HD imagery of Digital Doc’s Intraoral Dental Sensor–Blū–will support your prognosis and justify your treatment plan.

2. Increase Efficiency

The x-ray portion of a routine exam can be the most time-consuming part of the process. With intraoral dental sensors, minimal setup and minimal adjustments are required. This decrease in setup time increases overall office efficiency and allows you to spend more time on what actually matters: the patient.

Traditional dental x-rays take several minutes for the image to develop. An intraoral dental sensor allows you to capture an image and produce it within seconds. Even Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, agrees that this saves the dental offices and patients valuable time. For example, if retakes are needed, the dental provider will know right away. In some traditional x-ray cases, the provider won’t know retakes are needed until after the patient has already left the examination room. Saving time is important for dental offices AND the patients!

3. Decrease Patient Radiation Exposure + Reduce Your Waste

It’s not a secret that x-rays expose patients to radiation. Dental sensors take away 70% of this risk. With digital dental sensors, you no longer need radiographic film or processing solutions. The processing solutions are harmful to the environment, and the film can be wasteful. At first, dental sensors seem costly, but in the long run, eliminating the needs for traditional x-ray materials and the disposal fees that come with it saves dental offices time and money.

4. Comfortable, Portable, and Durable

Traditional x-ray methods can be uncomfortable for patients. Not to mention traditional x-ray machines take up a lot of space. Digital Doc’s Blū Intraoral Sensor comes in the perfect size, making for the best patient experience possible. When purchasing your Blū Intraoral Sensor, you can choose from a 1.0 and 2.0. Each sensor is about 4.8 mm thick, with the dimensions of 31.3 mm X 42.9 mm.

5. Digital Doc Support

As an industry leader, it’s our job to provide you with high-quality products and premium support. Implementing your new dental sensor will be easy with the help of Digital Doc Support. Our virtual training will teach everyone how to maximize these benefits in your office. If you have any questions or concerns about your Digital Doc products, you can always count on us.

Blū with Digital Doc

At Digital Doc, we design products with the dentist and patient in mind. Not only do we create easy-to-use products, but we create products that produce easy-to-understand imagery.

The Blū intraoral dental sensor exemplifies these design principles. Our talented team of engineers created a product that can bring your practice to the next level. Don’t believe it? See for yourself and schedule a free virtual demo today.

Facts About Teledentistry

Facts to Know About Teledentistry

Teledentistry refers to the use of communication technologies (interactive video, audio, and data, for example), electronic imaging, and information, combined with technologies that allow users to forward or store data related to the provision of dental care. Consultations, education of patients, provision of treatment, and the transfer of dental health information can all be facilitated through teledentistry.

This trend has been gaining momentum with the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has made it necessary to minimize contact with people who aren’t members of your household. Convenience, cost-effectiveness, and adapting to the technological changes in all fields have all helped to drive teledentistry forward. Here are some proven facts about teledentistry.

More Affordable Than in-Person Dental Visits

The use of teledentistry has resulted in greater efficiencies. For example, travel times have reduced, and dental offices can share their staff with other offices. Consequently, the cost of providing care has gone down, and these cost savings are transferred to the patients in the form of lower bills.

Meets Patients’ Needs Regarding Modern Communication Methods

Patients are already comfortable with online banking, filing tax returns, buying physical and digital goods online, and even using internet-based navigation tools (GPS). Furthermore, research indicates that 3 in 10 patients first use their smartphones and computers to check online for diagnostic and treatment information, so it is only natural that such people would expect their dental care providers to offer teledentistry services.

Better Access to Dental Care

Approximately 2 in 10 Americans reside in a rural area, and access to a number of health services, such as dental care, is limited. Teledentistry can provide access to dental professionals. Understaffed dental offices can also benefit from clinicians elsewhere since there is no geographical limitation to the patients who can be served.

Reduce Time Spent Away by Employees

Research shows that while dental appointments rob employees of several hours from their workplaces, less than 20% of that time is spent at the dentist’s office. The rest of the time goes to preparing for the visit, as well as the commute to and from the dental office. Teledentistry saves a lot of time by eliminating the hours spent commuting to and from dental offices, as well as the time spent while waiting for their appointment.

Reserving In-office Appointments For Severe Cases

Teledentistry also has the added benefit of reducing congestion at dental offices so that only those patients who are in urgent need of in-person treatment get to see the dentist physically. The reduced congestion allows the dentist to use all the diagnostic tools, such as the best dental cameras, LuM transillumination device, and handheld x-ray device to diagnose and make the most appropriate treatment recommendations.

Improving Patients’ Dental Hygiene

Over the years, the number of people visiting dental offices has been declining steadily, and this trend is unlikely to reverse any time soon. Innovations like teledentistry can provide a link between patients and dentists without patients having to visit dental offices. In this way, patients get a chance to interact with dental health professionals on matters of at-home dental care (brushing, flossing, and diet, for example). Dr. Ben Kacos, a Shreveport, LA dentist, says that dental hygiene has been shown to improve as a result of these virtual interactions.

Same Quality of Care as In-office Visits

Studies have shown that there is no difference between the quality of care and treatment outcomes between patients who visited dental offices physically and those who received virtual services. Telemedicine is, therefore, as good as in-person care.

Upward Trajectory of Growth

The number of patients who received telehealth services has grown from 250,000 in 2013 to nearly 3.5 million patients in 2018. These statistics show that the number of people opting for these virtual services will keep growing, and the COVID-19 outbreak may have just supercharged the rate.

The field of dentistry has often been described as being slow to adopt new technologies, but the growth of teledentistry services shows that the sector is changing fast. It is now common to find dental offices spotting the best autofocus dental cameras, transilluminators, and other cutting-edge dental products. Teledentistry is here to stay, so find ways to make your dental office align with the needs of today’s dental patients and the direction of the industry.

Who’s in Your Dental Chair: Patient or Consumer?

Who's in Your Dental Chair: Patient or Consumer?

A Conversation with Brett Wilson, President Of Digital Doc

Brett Wilson, President of Digital Doc, was hosted on a webinar with Amy Logan Parrish, the Chief Development Officer at Jameson Management. We bring you the highlights of the topics discussed during the webinar. So, who’s in your dental chair, patient, or consumer?

How should dentists look at their patients?

Look at dental patients as consumers rather than simply patients. Dental offices need to pivot a little and stop looking at how many new patients they have attracted. Instead, they should put more attention into offering more services to their existing patients in order to grow the dental practice.

Be more intentional about paying attention to the fundamentals, such as focusing on the needs of each patient and what the office can do for that individual. By so doing, the office will grow as you do more to satisfy the needs of the patients who walk through your doors.

How can you personalize dental care?

Give patients a chance to know you as a person, not just professionally. For example, your hobbies, your family life and so on. This creates connections with patients, and such patients will be loyal buyers of the services that you offer at the practice.

A recent study shows that now more than ever, people now want customized service in every industry that they interact with, including dentistry. They want a relationship, not just being regarded as “Patient Number 2 for today.”

Logic vs. Emotion

How doctors present treatment options is very logical, but that’s not how consumers buy. Consumers (patients) buy based on emotions. As a dentist, ask yourself how you buy. Photos are a huge factor in connecting with consumers because photos appeal to their emotions. $12 billion is sitting in pre-approved dental procedures that patients don’t go ahead and get. That’s a serious case acceptance issue! Photos taken using the best dental camera can help you increase case acceptance.

Meeting the patients where they are

We’re living in an HD world. When you show patients an image that isn’t in HD, that image may not be good enough for the consumer, even if it may be good enough for you. Meeting patients where they are is interacting with them in the HD world they have been used to.

How teams can buy into the importance of investing in tech

Ensure team members can easily access a new piece of technology in order to get their buy-in. If they need to get out of a chair to look for something in the next operatory, then it will not be worth it for that staff member. Training is also important in getting buy-in from teams. Positive feedback (wow, you take such great photos), or you can use the carrot and stick method (I’ll be back once images are on the screen). Explaining how technology supports the vision of the practice also helps.

How to use photos to increase the bottom line

For example, a full smile image shown to every patient will make those individuals see things that they never see while standing in front of their mirrors at home. Many elective procedures can be accepted on the strength of those pictures alone. You can also review the first full smile image of each patient after they have been with you for a while. This can be huge as patients will see how far they’ve come, so they will be more loyal to you (and accept more procedures). Digital photos were taken using dental cameras also increase efficiency. For example, a handheld x-ray changes a lot in terms of the time needed to get the image compared to getting that same image using traditional x-ray equipment.

Teledentistry during the pandemic

Teledentistry can be handy at this time. With patients also losing jobs, suffering income cuts, and other economic effects of the pandemic, interacting with them online would make getting services more affordable, and it can keep the practice operational through the hard times.

Getting used to taking lots of great dental images

You can get really good at capturing lots of images in a short time (12 different images in 2 minutes, for example). Get some time, such as during lunch, and practice on each other in order to become proficient at it. This activity is also a good team-building technique!

Today, ask yourself what kind of experience you are bringing to your dental consumer. Is it SD (standard definition) or HD (high definition)? Is it that tiny screen in your operatory or a large screen that can display life-sized images? Think about the things in your practice that are overdue for an upgrade or transformation so that your patients can get the best consumer experience while at your office. So, who’s in your dental chair, patient, or consumer?

Technological Advancements in Caries Diagnosis

LuM Transillumination - advancements in caries diagnosis

Technological Advancements in Caries Diagnosis

The Many Technological Advancements in Caries Diagnosis

As any dentist will tell you, catching dental caries early gives a head start in their successful treatment, but it has not always been easy to accurately diagnose carious lesions. With technological tools like the LuM transilluminator, clinicians are now in a better position to detect lesions early and make appropriate treatment recommendations. Here are some of the technological advancements in caries diagnosis.

Ability to Document Caries Progression

Technological caries detection devices, such as the LuM Transillumination device, bring the power of today’s dental cameras to the fore. The caries detection tool gives dentists the ability to examine each lesion and capture images that are then referred to during subsequent patient visits. With the recorded images on file, a clinician is better able to make an accurate diagnosis regarding not just the presence of dental caries but their activity status as well.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Preventive Treatment

Gone are the days when the method of choice to deal with caries was the surgical intervention. Today, attention has shifted more towards preventive treatment, especially once the caries is caught early at the time when they haven’t gone deep or become wide.

People respond differently to treatment, and as a dentist, you are always providing the best treatment and overall experience possible. Caries detection tools address this need and offer insights on how effective preventive caries treatment has been.

If the dentist finds that the treatment doesn’t have the desired effect, he or she can promptly change treatment modalities before the carious lesions have a chance to progress into forms that will necessitate more invasive and costly interventions. Caries treatment is most helpful when the caries are caught early, and the best transilluminator, combined with the best intraoral camera, make that early treatment possible.

Motivating Patients

Transillumination tools like the LuM device also make it possible for dentists to speak the same language with their patients. By showing each patient the caries lesions on their teeth, you send a powerful message to the patient, and this will, in turn, provide a strong motivator for the patient to pay greater attention to their oral hygiene. Every dentist would love to attend to a well-educated patient (on matters of oral care), and these technological tools aid in that effort.

Reducing the Need for Radiological Tests

Over the decades, the field of dentistry has relied on radiological diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, to detect and monitor dental caries. However, such radiological tests have their own limitations and are not desirable in some situations. Dr. David Moghadam, a dentist in Easton, PA, explains that caries detection tools do an excellent job of detecting caries, and this reduces the need to subject patients to radiological tests.

This isn’t to say that radiology, and X-rays in particular, no longer have a role to play in caries detection or treatment. Rather, the existence of the LuM transillumination device and others like it increases the available diagnostic options so that a dentist will only order an X-ray when the situation warrants it, such as when additional information (visualizing the pulp chamber, for example) is needed while determining the progression and degree of activity of carious lesions.

For dentists looking to adopt these transilluminators, the cost is no longer such a big point of contention since these tools are now available at an affordable price point. Suppliers are also willing to work with you to smooth out the learning curve. There is, therefore, no better time to receive dental care than now since there is an abundance of tools to help in early detection and treatment. Digital Doc is proud to be a big part of this revolution, and we promise to continue offering the best dental cameras, the best transillumination devices, and a host of other dental technology needed to provide better care.

Introducing Blū Intraoral Sensor By Digital Doc

Introducing Blū Intraoral Sensor By Digital Doc

Blū Intraoral Sensor By Digital Doc

Are you tired of overpaying for dental tools that don’t work or end up breaking less than a year after purchase? We understand your frustration, which is why we specially designed Blū.

This advanced technology has taken years of perfecting, and we’re thrilled to tell you all about the Blū.

Must-Knows About the Blū Intraoral Sensor

The Blū isn’t like any ordinary dental sensor. Our Digital Doc team wanted users to have sharp, crystal-clear images that they could proudly show to their patients. With 27 PL/mm Theoretical, the Blū is now the best intraoral sensor on the market.

When designing any Digital Doc product, we always keep the doctor and patient in mind. Implementing this high-quality intraoral sensor into your practice is quick and easy. Blū is not only supported by over 25 software suites, but the support plan also comes with virtual training.

When purchasing your Blū Intraoral Sensor, you can choose from two sizes: Size 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor is about 4.8 mm thick and has external dimensions of 31.3 mm X 42.9 mm. It’s sleek and compact design allows patients to experience maximum comfort.

Using the Blū Intraoral Sensor to Increase Case Acceptance

Blū Intraoral Sensors are the best way to ensure patient comfort and top-quality care. Its small size allows dentists to comfortably provide coverage for digital x-rays, making the treatment planning process a breeze. If you want to easily show patients what you’re seeing, you need Blū Intraoral Sensors.

This is what Digital Doc President, Brett Wilson had to say about the new Blū Intraoral Sensor:

“This product fits well with our technology story, SEE More. DO More. As you may know, we added the XTG Handheld x-ray three years ago, and we could no longer ignore the request for a digital x-ray sensor. It is going to provide our customers with value and customer support, allowing them to truly advance their practice.

Patients expect high-end technology. They use them every day in the palm of their hand. Join us in giving this experience to them with the lineup of products from IRIS cameras, LūM transillumination, XTG Handheld X-ray, and now Blū Intraoral Sensor.”

You Have Digital Doc Support

If you’re worried about training your staff on how to use a new dental sensor, don’t be. With the help of our Digital Doc support team, you and your team members will receive virtual training right in your office. You’ll learn how to maximize the benefits of your new intraoral sensor, making the return on investment even more remarkable.

Purchase Your Blū Intraoral Sensor by Digital Doc

We can’t wait for you to get your hands on the Blū Intraoral Sensor. Contact your local distribution dealer or visit www.digi-doc.com to book a virtual demonstration today.