Dentistry is an ever-evolving field, and many dentists have gone ahead to revitalize their services and give patients new opportunities for restorative treatment. Many dentists often try to use modern innovation and technology to improve their practices and provide the latest methods for crowns, implants, and dentures. However, to provide these improved methods, dentists working to improve their services for their patients by following the latest trends, studying the research behind them, and getting the training and certification needed to qualify and administer the treatment. But what treatments are there, and why do dentists more often than not try and go for the latest treatments?
The Increasing Need For Restorative Treatment
Restorative treatment is all about repairing and replacing damaged, chipped, or decaying teeth. These treatments aim to restore the function and appearance of people’s teeth to the point where those teeth can remain healthier longer. Thousands of dentists often specialize in restorative dentistry because there is a significant increase in the demand for these treatments. Why do people need restorative treatments? It’s often due to the high prevalence of oral health issues within the United States.
According to the CDC, adult oral health is at a significant decline due to varying factors, such as aging, poor diets, insufficient oral hygiene, financial difficulty, and misaligned teeth. When it comes to observing these issues:
- Tooth Decay: The CDC states that more than 1 in 4 adults have some variation of untreated tooth decay.
- Gum Disease: Half of all adults ages 30 or older show signs of gum disease, with around 9% having signs of severe gum disease.
- Tooth loss: Tooth loss is highly relevant among adults 65 and older through the combination of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Chronic Diseases: Other chronic diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes, can increase the risk of people having missing teeth.
As a result of aging and its effects on our oral health, restorative treatments work to retain and restore healthy teeth. Ultimately, it’s considered a multi-faceted challenge that needs innovation to truly enhance people’s oral health and prevent diseases.
The Latest Trends In Restorations, According to Dentists
So, what are the latest trends dentists have been following? Some of those trends include:
- Conservative Approaches: Conservative dentistry refers to performing restorative treatments that reduce the amount of damage done to healthy areas of the mouth to remove any decaying or damaged areas.
- Digital Impressions: Instead of traditional impressions that use alginate materials, digital imaging has been incorporated to help reduce discomfort during examination.
- Sting Free Numbing Agents: Some agents, such as lidocaine, can produce a stinging effect for patients, so other options to remove the acidity.
- PRP Oral Surgery: Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is being used in oral surgery to restore the gum line for those suffering from periodontal disease or help those recovering from tooth extractions.
For more information on these trends, the best place to learn about them is through a visit with your dentist.