DENTIST'S NEW MACHINE

[Golddollar]

On Monday I had an appointment to see my dentist who I started going to when he started his practice some 30 years ago. His new dental assistant took me to a new machine the likes of which I had never seen before. It had what looked like a helmet that a patient could stand under. The assistant told me it would take a panoramic X-ray of my head.

Before I got under the helmet the assistant asked me to take off my glasses and then she asked me, "Is there anything you want to remove from your mouth?", to which I replied immediately, "Yeah, my foot."

She must be wondering what kind of wise guys the dentist has for patients.

 

[TX-Dennis]

My regular dentist doesn't have that, but my son had to have some oral surgery done, and the surgeon's office used one of those on him. The thing is a bit intimidating as it whirls around the patient's head. Interesting technology, and I bet it's EXPENSIVE!

 

[GaryS]

It's essentially a CT scanner and they have actually been in use for a few years.

I think my dentist has one, but I'm not 100% sure.

Dental technology has advanced quite a bit since I was a kid. Back then, the dental assistant looked in my mouth and then drew a sketch on a slate tablet.

 

[Patrick L]

Yeah, I just got referred to a root canal specialist and he zapped me with one of those. Pretty impressive.

 

[brucev]

Far far better method that fooling around with bits of cardboard/film folded up between the teeth. Cost? Far less than having to live with the result of a lesser technology. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[SupportTheSecond]

Just an FYI while many dental x-rays are safer than they used to be unless you really have an issue I would pass on the yearly x-rays since they have been affecting some in negative ways. Once every couple of years should be plenty unless needed.

 

[Chuck24]

Used one of those in the Whole Nine Yards to help disguise the body

 

[Spajohn]

"When gums are outlawed, only outlaws will have gums."

 

[NYlakesider]

It's essentially a CT scanner and they have actually been in use for a few years.

I think my dentist has one, but I'm not 100% sure.

Dental technology has advanced quite a bit since I was a kid. Back then, the dental assistant looked in my mouth and then drew a sketch on a slate tablet.

I have had a couple of those roundabout tests and for me its a problem. I have a rather short neck and big shoulders. The hygienist has to position me just so or the machine cannot do its circumference route! Takes her much longer for me than other people.

 

[grover99]

My dentist got new equipment in his office. New chairs plus everything else. Very nice until I was handed the bill for my cleaning. 40% higher than the last cleaning. I don't think that my teeth were any cleaner because of the new equipment that I was helping pay for.

 

[GaryS]

Dentists are business men, just like any other business. They need to keep up with the latest trends, have current equipment, and keep a staff.

My dentist is a close friend. He and his now retired brother built a large practice by being good at the business side of the practice as well as being good dentists and having a good staff.

While you may not like paying more, my guess is that they are paying more as well. My dentist was closed for several months during the initial phase of the panicdemic. He had to lay off his staff, but since he was incorporated, he had to lay himself off as well.

That didn't mean that he didn't still have to pay for the office.

Everyone is going to be paying for all of the "free" stuff we got in 2020-21 for years to come.

My dentist got new equipment in his office. New chairs plus everything else. Very nice until I was handed the bill for my cleaning. 40% higher than the last cleaning. I don't think that my teeth were any cleaner because of the new equipment that I was helping pay for.

 

[Greyman50]

My dentist uses one, pretty nice as takes just 2 passes instead of ," open, bite down on this tab" as before. Kinda neat to see all the jaw bone and teeth on one screen and easier for her to show whats what.

 

[fiasconva]

A couple of years ago my dentist installed a machine that makes crowns right in his office. They take a pic, do some measurements, type it into the computer in the machine and it makes the crown right there. No temp and having to return for another appointment to get the finished product. They put in on right there and you're good to go. Love the convenience. It doesn't seem to be any more expensive than it was before the machine.

 

[Rpg]

This dental equipment isn't new: I first ran into it at my pre-wedding dental appointment in 1973.

I suspect that the greatest benefit to be had from this technology is that it allows the dentist to charge much more than bite-wing X-rays.