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Dentistry scales new-tech ways
Nightmarish experiences at the dentists are
so over. Getting your teeth cleaned today may even be a near-
spa experience. MARDIANA ISMAIL explores the technology behind
the new world of digital dentistry
The bad old days of scary, drill- wielding
dentists may well be over. Banish the images of swollen jaws
and gum disease posters.
Picture this instead: Wireless surfing while you wait, iPods
to listen to
during treatment and DVDs to watch while you get a root canal
done. And
all in a spiffy setting too.
Welcome to the new world of digital
dentistry.
'We'd like our clients to feel as though they
are booking in to have a spa treatment when they walk into our
clinic,' explained Dr Wong Keng Mun, director of T32 Dental Clinic
at Paragon Office Building. For this reason, his waiting room
has muted lighting and is decorated in soft earth tones and
designer furniture.
 At the Atria-Pan
Dental Group at Wisma Atria,
lifestyle touches include an in-house Internet cafe, wireless
Net access and personal movie screens to watch DVDs during longer
treatment sessions such as root canals.
Said Dr Yeo Siang Khin
of Atria-Pan: 'I had a patient who regretted his root canal
treatment was over because his Jennifer Lopez movie was cut short
by the time we finished. 'Jennifer and I were just getting acquainted,'
he said.'
At Toofdoctor in Tanjong Pagar, new patients
are greeted with a webcam, which is used to take their pictures,
with the details then stored in a patient recognition database.
In
fact, for patients who are also Macintosh users, dental appointments
are e-mailed and then automatically downloaded into iCal - a
calendar function in their computer - so that they will
be reminded of their next check-up.
'It's
all very convenient,' said Ms Claudia Khoo, 30, a lawyer and Toofdoctor
patient. 'Besides, I'm very impressed
by the use of all the cool technology. It's
definitely improved my experience with dental clinics.'
Fewer
visits, speedier treatment
The use of technology extends to
the practice of dentistry itself. For instance, the Atria-Pan
Dental Group uses CAD-CAM technology - the Cerec 3D system by
Sirona.
'It enables our dentists to produce and
place an aesthetic, lifelike ceramic
restoration on a patient in a single treatment session,' said
Dr Yeo.
Essentially, a one-time, two-hour procedure
replaces a two-step process. Pre-
viously, the patient would have to visit the dentist twice with
a week-long wait in between with a
temporary crown.
Airline executive
Michael Cheong, 45, is all praise for the fewer visits, adding:
'What's also cool is the mini camera that allows me to actually
see the tooth close up.'
Indeed, accuracy, speed and patient
education seem to be the main
concerns of developing technology in dentistry.
At T32, Dr Wong
employs wireless connectivity for most of the
procedures including the digital
X-rays.
 Both the panoramic as well
what is known as the peri-apical
radiography tools used in
the clinic transfers the pictures taken
instantly
to the viewing screen in
the treatment room. So, the patient can see up-close
the condition of his teeth.
In
addition to the basic scaling and filling services,
clinics
like T32 are also specialists
in aesthetic dentistry. Think
porcelain-clean
teeth and that perfect
smile - a la makeover television
show
The
Swan.
Said Dr Wong: 'We
even consult with plastic surgeons
if
the kind of dental work
the patient is interested in may
be affected
by any kind
of facial reconstruction
he is considering having.'
Same
costs
And what is the price
for the frills in
these drills?
All three dental
clinics interviewed
insisted
that all the fancy
technology has not raised costs.
For instance, a consultation at
T32 costs $60,
while a scaling
and polishing for
an adult costs $100. This is still some
$20 to $40 more
than the
dental clinics
that offer fewer
technothrills.
But
Dr Yeo from Atria-Pan insisted
that more
'efficient'
digital dentistry,
which cuts
down on
the number
of visits,
is still
'beneficial
for the patient, time-wise and
financially'.
For
example, the one-visit
Cerec
restoration
eliminates
laboratory
costs when
constructing a crown or
inlay.
She
added: 'Digital
X-rays
use far
less radiographic
exposure
and do
not have to be developed.
So, no
clutter of films,
developers
and darkrooms.'
The
doctors also said
that
the initial
investment
cost
of the new-fangled machinery
boosts
patient
satisfaction
and loyalty.
Said
Dr
Choy: 'Our
patients
only
pay
for their
treatment
cost.
But because
they
appreciate
all
these
value-added
ser-
vices
and
diagnostic
aids, they
would
naturally
refer
their
family,
friends
and
colleagues
to
our clinic.'
Spot
on,
said
model
Tui
Sang,
26:
'I'd
rather
part
with
my
money
to
get
it right
the
first
time.'
Mardiana
Ismail is
a freelance
writer.
Getting
to the
root of
the matter:
What patients
have to
say
Ms
Tui Sang,
26, model,
at T32
Dental Clinic
'I
LIKE THAT
my X-rays
are viewable
instantly as
they appear
directly on the
computer screen
- no
waiting for
processing. It's
time-saving and
a better
way for
me to
understand what's
going on with
my teeth.
Also, they
were able
to precisely
fit my
implants as
they could
detect the
positioning accurately
from the
scan. It
is certainly reassuring.'
What
dental patients
say...
Ms
Sandra Wong,
33, marketing
manager, at
Toofdoctor
'RELAXING
SONGS WERE
played and
they showed
nice scenery
on screen
while I
had my
treatment. This
was helpful
when I
had to
go through
several rounds
of the
laser light
whitening treatment.
It can
be quite
boring when
you have
to stay
in your
seat for
a couple
of hours.'
Mr
Michael Cheong,
airline executive,
45, at
Atria-Pan
'I
AM NOT
aware of
other dentists
employing CAD-CAM
technology. Although I
may be
paying a
little more
than what
normal clinics
charge, I
believe the
service and
quality make
up the
difference.'
Source:
Digital Life, 9 May 2006
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