When traditional orthodontic visits are difficult to arrange, teledentistry offers a helpful solution to various oral health needs. Orthodontists use this option to work with patients who are unable to attend physical appointments. Teledentistry is a virtual orthodontic appointment that allows patients to receive quality orthodontic care from a remote location.
Teledentistry is available at Orange Coast Orthodontics in Laguna Hills and the surrounding area. We use these virtual sessions to assess orthdontic problems and develop a treatment plan. Our team can let you know what we need to perform a virtual session.
If you are unable to attend an in-person orthodontic appointment, teledentistry could be the right solution for you. Addressing orthdontic problems quickly is important for improving your oral health. Call us at (949) 860-1231 to schedule a virtual session today.
Teledentistry began in 1994. It started as a military project and grew to extend orthodontic care to underserved people living in rural communities. The emergence of this treatment option allowed orthodontists to collaborate virtually to better care for patients with severe orthodontic problems. Although teledentistry has been available for nearly two decades, it did not become widely popular until 2013 when more than half of American hospitals and doctors’ offices began to incorporate telehealth services and proved their usefulness in treating patients. Now, teledentists offer patients both virtual and in-person sessions to accommodate individual needs.
According to the American Dental Association, a study performed by the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute of Oral Health found that teledentistry is a beneficial way to provide underserved and disadvantaged children with proper oral treatment. The Center for Disease Control suggests that a significant percentage of Americans did not visit a dentist or orthodontist in the past year, resulting in untreated dental caries that affect overall oral health. Other studies have found that teledentistry is comparable to in-person visits in terms of enhanced oral health.
Teledentistry consists of exchanging communication via text, pictures, and audio recordings to relay information between the patient and the teledentist. Any electronic device that connects to the internet can be used for a virtual session. This includes computers, tablets, and mobile phones.
Patients do not receive a physical examination with a teledentist. However, many of the same steps are repeated in both in-person and telehealth appointments. You can expect the practitioner to perform the following actions during your virtual session:
Patients should see a teledentist whenever they cannot attend a physical appointment. Many people find teledentistry to be most beneficial late at night or on the weekends when most orthodontists' offices are closed. This option is especially helpful for injuries, mouth ulcers, and missing fillings or crowns.
Teledentistry is an effective alternative to traditional orthodontic appointments for many patients. Orange Coast Orthodontics can help improve your oral health by taking advantage of this option. Call us at 949-860-1231 to schedule a virtual session today.
Q. How long does a teledentistry appointment take?
A. While many in-person orthodontic consultations take up a significant portion of a patient’s workday, teledentistry appointments often require less of a time commitment. When consulting with a teledentist, patients do not have to wait to see them. Patients simply communicate with the orthodontist at the appointed time using email or secure chat so the process is streamlined for enhanced convenience and efficiency.
Q. What are the benefits of teledentistry?
A. Patients who do not have time to visit the orthodontist can often fit teledentistry into their busy schedule because virtual appointments are often shorter than in-person ones. This option also gives rural patients the opportunity to seek orthodontic care. Additionally, the Journal of Dental Hygiene suggests that teledentistry is effective for improving a patient’s oral health.
Q. Who is a candidate for teledentistry?
A. Teledentistry is beneficial for patients who live in rural communities and do not have access to an in-person orthodontist. It is also a viable option for patients who experience orthodontic emergencies outside of normal business hours, particularly late at night. Teledentistry allows patients to seek emergency orthodontic advice immediately instead of waiting for an appointment.
Q. What does a teledentist do during a virtual session?
A. Teledentists collect medical records, X-rays, molds, and pictures of the patient’s mouth during a virtual session. Many of these items are from previous visits and give the orthdontist a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s oral health. In most cases, the teledentist asks the patient to send current pictures of their mouths via email or secure chat. Teledentists then diagnose the problem and prescribe a plan of treatment.
Q. Is teledentistry cost-efficient?
A. Teledentistry can be more cost-efficient than seeing a orthodontist in person. Insurance providers are required to treat telehealth the same as in-person treatment so patients with dental insurance are covered. It is a good idea for patients to check with their insurance providers to see what percentage of the treatment cost they cover.
