Are you old enough to remember when a visit to the dentist included a very cold environment, with hard plastic chairs in the reception area, a wall with a sliding glass window separating you from the employees, a bowl to spit into next to the dental chair, and worst of all, that smell? Seriously, where did that smell come from?
If you are old enough to remember these things, then you have also seen the amazing changes that have occurred in dentistry. Like so many industries, dentistry is continuously changing to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Now it’s not unusual to walk into a dental office and feel like you just entered a spa, with oversized sofas and chairs, refreshments and snacks, pillows and blankets while being treated and more.
Technology Advancements
But these advancements go much further than just your comfort. Dentistry has seen an amazing amount of changes in technology over the past few years. Some of these advancements include: digital x-rays to dramatically reduce radiation exposure, Cerec technology to make crowns right there while you wait, digital impressions so you don’t have to put all that goo in your mouth, Velscope technology to see potential cancers before they are visible to the naked eye, even lasers to help whiten teeth, fill teeth, and treat gum disease. The list goes on and on.
If you have been afraid to go to the dentist, like so many others, maybe it’s time you gave it another try to see all the changes that have occurred first hand. It’s definitely a lot easier, less painful, and hopefully more enjoyable than what you may have experienced in the past. Unfortunately, I can’t say the smell is completely gone!