How Teleorthodontic Care Makes Dental Visits Easier
There has been a not-insignificant number of changes in the way we live our lives since the pandemic started. The first steps were the use of masks and social distancing. Over time, it altered the way we work and how we receive medical care. Certain forms of medical care adapted to this change easier than others. Those that traditionally required physical visits, such as dental care, changed slower. Over time, however, there were methods found to provide effective care while limiting the amount of time patients spent in the dental office. Even orthodontic care has been able to take advantage of teledental services.
How Teleorthodontic Care Makes Dental Visits Easier
It was somewhat surprising how quickly dental services adapted to using teledentistry in their practices. It started out with simple phone calls, but soon dentists started taking advantage of options such as video calling. Teleorthodontics was a bit trickier. Traditionally dental care required a visit to the office to take measurements and get imaging in preparation for the treatment. Innovation and a reimagining of the process made it possible to accomplish these goals remotely.
While receiving x-rays still requires a visit to the office, applying older technology to get molds remotely was possible. Patients are sent a dental impression kit that they use in the comfort of their own homes. These kits are then sent back to the dental office and used to create a physical model. This model is examined for any obvious concerns and is then applied to developing an effective treatment plan. In the best-case scenarios, these models are used to design clear aligners that are then sent to the patient. Your dentist can accomplish all of this without the patient needing to visit the office.
If traditional braces or other orthodontic care forms are required, your care may require a physical visit. However, teledentistry helps with this by reducing the foot traffic into the dental office. Once the braces are put in place, this new technique comes into play again. Your dentist can perform check-ups on the progress of your orthodontic adjustment via video call. You can communicate any concerns you have, such as dental pain, and still visit the office if it’s deemed necessary.
There are some notable benefits to using teledentistry for your care. For example:
- There’s a reduced need for visits to the office
- Appointments can occur at times that are convenient for you
- It’s easier to get care while living in remote areas
- Most follow-ups no longer require an office visit
These are some of the reasons that have made teledentistry become an increasingly popular option among patients and dentists. Even insurance providers are finding teledentistry to be beneficial for their coverage. This has led to an ever-increasing number of policies, including teledentistry under the plans.
Connect With Your Dentist About Teledentistry
Contact your dentist if you’re wondering if teledentistry will work for you. They’ll be able to inform you of the options they have available and how they implement telehealth practices in your care.
