Dental Technologies

How important is technology to a patient when choosing a dentist? Actually, it is not as important as most patients think. Technology is definitely important, and updated equipment is almost a basic need in a dental office. But the machine’s role stops there.

The good news is that younger dentists coming out of dental school already know all the newest technology and gadgets—and that knowledge can serve them well for the first 10 years out of school. Often, dentists don’t even know any other way to do dentistry except the new way. It is like young people who don’t know how to drive a stick shift.

As someone famous said, technology is always on the verge of breakthrough but will never substitute for a human being. Ever since childhood, I have marveled at technological advances. However, nowadays, it is not hard to find a dental machine that costs more than $100,000. Companies claim that the technology will deliver superior results. However, it often ends up with disappointing results. The results are not as superb as the company claims. It is simply a substitute for another tool. It certainly does not make a good dentist out of a bad dentist.

What the world needs more in dentistry is not more technology, but a better trust-building process.