The Role of Technology in Orthodontics
Dental technology plays a role in just about everything we do at our orthodontic clinic in Beverly Hills.
Dental technology helps us understand your orthodontic issue in detail. It allows us to see bone and tooth roots that are not visible to the naked eye. With dental technology, Dr. Waldman can make an accurate diagnosis and form a treatment plan specific to your unique needs in the safest way possible.
We are also able to use this technology throughout your treatment journey to monitor progress, so we know if we need to make adjustments along the way.
Each time you come in to our office, our team will use technology to communicate with you about your condition, the treatment plan, and how it's all going.
We will be able to show you your X-rays and scans so you know exactly what we're talking about, and we will be able to show you the projected end goal for your smile.
DentalMonitoring
At Waldman Orthodontics, we utilize a smartphone app called DentalMonitoring to monitor your clear aligner treatment. Using the app on your phone, you will take a scan of your teeth which will be analyzed using AI technology to track your treatment progress. These photos are then compared to a digital model made at the start of your treatment to track how you are progressing and if any adjustments to your plan need to be made.
As long as you have wifi access, you can take these photo scans and upload them from anywhere! This means less trips to our practice, but you will still have access to our team through the app.
Virtual Consultations
Experience a virtual consultation from the comfort of your own home. Simply request a virtual consultation, and our team will send you a link to begin. You will answer a few questions regarding your treatment needs and submit a series of photos of your smile for Dr. Waldman to review.
Once Dr. Waldman reviews, our team will be in touch with the preliminary treatment plan, answer your questions, and also provide you with an estimate of your treatment fee and our financing options using our zero-interest payment plans.
If you decide to go ahead with treatment after receiving the treatment recommendations, we will schedule an in-office appointment for you so we get started on improving your smile.
Panoramic X-rays
Panoramic X-ray technology allows Dr. Waldman to capture a single two-dimensional image that shows all of your mouth's oral structures. This image includes the teeth, the upper and lower jaws, and the surrounding structures and tissues.
Crucial for assessing the presence or absence of specific teeth and their roots, panoramic X-rays show how teeth have formed below the gum line, including their roots and their relationship with one another within the jaw. This information is vital for orthodontic treatment planning.
Cone Beam Cat Scan
A Cone Beam Cat Scan is a special kind of X-ray machine that is used in cases where more detail is needed than what can be provided by regular digital X-rays. This system rotates around the patient's head, capturing data using a cone-shaped X-ray beam to create a three-dimensional image of the teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways, and bone in one single scan.
This method is often used for orthodontic treatment planning in situations where the patient has impacted or transposed teeth.
iTero™ Intraoral Scanner
The iTero intraoral scanner is a handheld imaging device that creates highly-detailed, three-dimensional digital impressions of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. This device eliminates the need for putty impressions, which can be messy.
Designed to be minimally intrusive, the scan is taken by the orthodontist who waves the wand around in your mouth as it captures images. Then, the computer system will create a 3D model of the inside of your mouth. This model is often used when creating clear aligners.