While there is never a good time for a pandemic to strike, we’re relatively lucky that one has occurred when the world is more connected than ever through the internet and phones. While people may be mostly stuck at home, they are still able to reach out to loved ones and healthcare providers at the touch of a button. As you can imagine, getting a virtual consult at home has become extremely popular over the past few months, and it’s been a tremendous help for people who are undergoing orthodontic treatment or believe it’s in their future. This new approach brings with it a host of benefits, whether you’re a parent with a child who has misaligned teeth or you’re currently using Invisalign.
It Helps Maintain Social Distancing
The phrase of the year has already been decided, “social distancing.” Avoiding crowds and physical contact has been shown to be one of the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, and teledentistry helps everyone follow the CDC’s recommendations. Now, instead of breaking quarantine to visit your orthodontist, you can simply schedule a virtual visit and benefit from their expertise in the safety and comfort of home.
Excellent for Parents
One of the most common questions orthodontists hear is, “When should my child start braces?” The only way to figure this out is with an exam, but as you can imagine, most parents aren’t exactly keen on letting their child leave the house these days. Now with virtual consults, an orthodontist can take a look at a child’s mouth and prequalify them for treatment without anyone stepping foot into an office. If a child can wait to begin braces, then they avoided an unneeded trip, but if they would benefit from orthodontic care starting relatively soon, the orthodontist and their team can plan for the visit and take all the safety precautions necessary to ensure everyone stays healthy.
Fast Progress Checks for Invisalign Patients
With teledentistry, Invisalign in Powell is more convenient than ever. Now, when it’s time for a progress check to make sure a patient’s teeth are moving as needed, they can have everything done via a phone or laptop. This can be a tremendous timesaver for everyone involved and allows a patient to get the attention they need and back to their day without even having to change into real pants!
In truth, teledentistry is fantastic whether the world is facing a pandemic or not. People’s schedules are busier than ever, so some simply don’t have time to make visits in person. Plus, for those who live far away from the office, they now have easy access to the care they need without having to make extra trips. This is the wave of the future, and it’s only going to get better, long after things start to feel more normal again.
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is an award-winning orthodontist and Elite Invisalign Provider based in Powell. Right now, his office is offering virtual visits for new and existing patients so everyone can get the care they need while maintaining social distancing. To schedule a tele-visit, click here, and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions.