Advanced digital technology for the best braces treatment

Have you heard the news, yet?

Braces have gone digital.

If you need to straighten your teeth, then the idea of spending a year or more with cold metal wires wrapped around your chompers might not sound too appealing.

But it’s time to change the way you view braces, because modern orthodontic treatment is not what it used to be.

Orthodontics became a specialty  branch of dentistry in the early 19th century, and the basic principles of treatment remain the same down to this day.

In a nutshell, orthodontic treatment is when a dental specialist fits you with appliances that put pressure on your teeth and the bones of your skull to create a beautiful smile and improve your bite function and facial appearance.

But while the goals and principles of modern orthodontic treatment remain unchanged, the treatment experience is now vastly different from what it was in years past. 

Modern orthodontics are more efficient, comfortable, and deliver predictable and satisfying results than the ortho treatments of decades past. The options for wearing straight teeth are endless. 

The secret to this improved braces treatment experience?

Digital orthodontics.

What Are “Digital Orthodontics?”

A game-changer for patients and orthodontists alike, digital orthodontics is a term that applies to the practice of modern orthodontic treatment using the latest digital technology.

Unfortunately, “digital orthodontics” doesn’t mean that an orthodontist can magically straighten your teeth using a remote control. At the end of the day, there is no way to physically move your teeth without applying physical pressure to them.

But going digital can make your treatment journey an enjoyable one. Treatment plans in digital orthodontics are proactive and treatment options are diverse. 

What is a “digital orthodontist?” 

A digital orthodontist is a dental specialist who skillfully blends their extensive education in traditional orthodontic care with modern digital technologies to provide the most advanced teeth-straightening treatment possible. Orthodontic offices utilizing this approach offer range of custom metal braces, modern aligners, Invisalign, lingual braces to new patients. 

Digital Technology Used by Orthodontists

When you visit a digital orthodontist to get help achieving the perfect smile, you’ll encounter one or more special technologies that will play a pivotal role in your treatment.

Five of the most popular digital technologies used in modern orthodontics include:

1. Touchless 3D diagnostic imaging

2. Digital X-rays

3. Virtual treatment planning

4. CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing)

5. 3D printing

6. Remote treatment monitoring

Let’s explore the benefits of these one by one.

1) Touchless 3D Diagnostic Imaging

What it is: Digital scanning technology that captures three-dimensional scans of your teeth.

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: An orthodontist can generate a three-dimensional model of your bite with a digital scanning wand in a matter of seconds without taking any messy dental impressions. The virtual image can be digitally manipulated with computer software to show you how your orthodontic treatment will progress.

2) Digital Dental X-ray Technology

What it is: Instead of traditional X-ray film, a digital sensor with a wire captures images of your teeth. 

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: The digital sensor needs less radiation energy to capture a picture, so this means that you are exposed to a lower dose of radiation. Many patients find that digital X-ray sensors are more comfortable than traditional film because they don’t have sharp edges. Additionally, digital images are captured instantly on the computer, so you can view your X-rays immediately after they are taken instead of waiting for them to be developed.

3) Virtual Treatment Planning

What it is: Any software an orthodontist uses to predict tooth movement and generate a preview of what the results could look like.

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: Virtual treatment planning software can help you visualize what your smile will look like once the braces come off. This can be a powerful motivator that helps you comply with your treatment instructions so that you get the best out of your braces. Such software can also help you get a close estimate of your total treatment time.

4) 3D Printing

What it is: 3D printing machines in orthodontic practices that produce custom-fitted appliances like clear aligners and retainers in a matter of minutes.

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: With a 3D-printed custom orthodontic appliance, your treatment journey will be faster and more personalized to your unique tooth alignment goals and dental health needs. 3D printing technology gives you access to a greater variety of discreet orthodontic solutions like Invisalign® and in-office clear aligners.

5) CAD/CAM Technology

What it is: Computer software assists in the design of intricate dental restorations and orthodontic components, like brackets and wires, and then carves these parts out of durable materials using the most precise and minute measurements.

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: CAD/CAM results in a personalized approach to your care. Instead of simply adjusting a wire, a digital orthodontist used CAD/CAM to design orthodontic elements that are unique to the shape of your smile and unique to the goals you want to achieve. CAD/CAM also saves you time as it ensures that your braces are designed and produced accurately and quickly.

6) Remote Treatment Monitoring (aka “Tele-orthodontics”)

What it is: Any communication platform or technology used to remotely evaluate your orthodontic treatment progress. This can include messaging a treatment provider, sharing and accessing diagnostic images and treatment records on a secure cloud storage platform, or having a virtual consultation via live video chat. 

How it makes orthodontic treatment better: Many orthodontic treatment check ups last only a few minutes. Instead of traveling all the way to the practice just so that an orthodontist can spend two minutes looking at your teeth, you can save time, spare yourself the trip, and enjoy the consultation from the security and privacy of your own home.  

Orthodontic Technology and You: Find a Digital Orthodontist Near You Today!

Thanks to digital technology, modern braces will make your treatment faster, more convenient, and more effective than you ever imagined. Additionally, digital orthodontics provide personalized healthcare through complete customization of traditional braces or clear aligners. 

Look up providers who offer digital orthodontics near you to experience the benefits and finally get that smile you’ve been dreaming of.

An innovative digital orthodontist in the Bellevue and Sammamish area, Dr. Rooz Khosravi is an advocate of modern orthodontics and an early adaptor in the field of digital orthodontic technique. Dr. Rooz recognizes the need to treat each patient as an individual who deserves and requires personalized care to achieve their smile goals. 

Yes, you can achieve that perfect smile, and digital orthodontics can help you do it! If you live in the Sammamish or Bellevue, Washington area, book a free consultation with Dr. Rooz today to get started.