Migrating From In-Office Care To Teledentistry

Telehealth services have been a part of medical practice since the invention of the telephone. The arrival of video calling, instant messaging, and high-speed internet started the push for it to be more available. When the pandemic hit, it quickly drove telehealth practices into being part of our everyday lives. Every part of the medical industry adjusted to incorporate this form of care into the services they offered. The dental industry was no exception. An increasing number of practices and specialties moved quickly to find innovative ways to provide care through this now critical platform. Teleorthodontics is an aspect of that care that has become increasingly available, and many are set to benefit from it.

 

Migrating From In-Office Care To Teledentistry

There will likely never come a day where the need for a personal dental visit isn’t necessary. Over time, however, it’s likely that they will become less necessary, just as they have already begun to do. This is especially important in modern America, where lack of access to proper dental care has become a serious concern. Poor oral health has many ramifications, including raising instances of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer. Even our mental health feels the effect as those with poor oral health often experience depression, low self-esteem, and embarrassment.

 

The increasing availability of teleorthodontics means that more patients will be able to receive the care they need. Orthodontics is about more than just a prettier smile, however. When teeth are misaligned, it can cause lasting problems and increase the instance of others. Malocclusion impacts the way our bite comes together, putting additional strain on the jaw and mandibular joints. This can increase the occurrence of temporomandibular joint disorder and cause additional pain in the jaw. It can also accelerate the rate at which cavities develop thanks to increased wear and tear from an improper bite. It also creates additional spaces in and around the teeth where plaque can gather.

 

These are the reasons getting orthodontic care to the people that require it is essential to reduce problems with oral health in the US. There are new advances being made every day, from special software that aids in delivering services to at-home dental impression kits. These kits make it possible for you to take dental impressions at home and send them to your dentist. They can then use these to create a model that will be used to design clear aligners.

 

Some additional benefits of orthodontic care:

• Better access to care
• Larger service areas for dental practices
• Access to qualified dental professionals
• Lower associated costs of care (gas, time off work, etc.)

 

Learning More About Teleorthodontics

Teledental care was originally not covered by dental insurance, and many states didn’t permit its practice. This has been changing rapidly, with many states allowing teledental care and more dental insurance providers covering it. Speak to your insurance provider to discover if it’s covered in your state, and then approach your dentist. They’ll let you know what kind of teledental services they offer and how to begin taking advantage of them.