15 Mar Current Trends in OMS
To say that oral surgery is an exact science would be an understatement. It is a specialty that requires a supreme level of precision and skill. It also requires surgeons to stay attuned to dental industry trends. This allows them to remain aware of new developments, techniques and technologies.
If you are an oral or maxillofacial surgeon, you are well aware of this fact. However, you may not have the time or bandwidth to stay as current as you would like on industry news and developments.
In this article we aim to address a few of the current trends in OMS in the hopes of saving you the time and energy of a deep dive.
OMS In the News
2021 has seen numerous news stories and headlines pertaining to the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
This is a boon for the industry, which is often viewed as esoteric by the general public or, more often, not thought of at all until it is needed. For instance, a South Dakota practice just made headlines as it generously offered advanced no-cost procedures to three patients including a three-time cancer survivor.
Earlier in the year, a Florida practice was in the spotlight for helping restore a patient’s face after a severe dog bite.
Of course, these are just a few glowing examples that highlight the need and benefit of the OMS industry. We encourage you to look into OMS success stories after you read through this article.
Social Media’s Increasing Usefulness
Digital marketing is a cornerstone of the success of many modern practices.
Companies like Facebook earn tens of billions of dollars in revenue per quarter. This means that if you are not using social media for advertising, your competitors likely are.
However, the headline here for OMS in particular is the recent increase in word-of-mouth visibility from online reviews and influencer testimonials. If your practice does not yet have a social media presence, establish one now. Use your social media to build up some traffic that you can then redirect back to your website or even to capture reviews for your Google My Business profile to help generate more local foot traffic to your office.
This is just the tip of the iceberg as digital marketing is an umbrella term for a lot of different things you should ideally implement.
Emerging Technology
There are currently many fascinating technological trends in OMS, from the ambitious to the practical.
In the case of the former, some are suggesting the use of blockchain technology to assist in surgical procedures. You may be familiar with its applications in cryptocurrency, but as a digital ledger it could have surgical applications such as assisting in the administration of propofol.
Another much more current technological resource that is coming in heavy as one of the biggest trends in OMS is 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). 3D CBCT imaging allows for advanced treatment planning by providing a complete and navigable rendering of each case with accurate 1:1 measurements of all oral anatomy.
CBCT can help oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
- Make accurate evaluations of impacted third molars for proximity, angle and tooth roots
- Eliminate the guesswork of third molar roots relative to the Inferior Alveolar Nerve canal
- Show the true position of deep or curved roots
- Better manage impacted cuspids
- More accurately determine if bone grafts or sinus lifts are needed
- More accurately diagnose maxillary sinus disorders
- Determine the 3D architecture of osseous defects
- More accurately assess the position, condition and contour of the Condyle, including the upper Ramus bone of the mandible
- Measure exact distances between the Condyle and the bony Fossa, giving precise detail to aid the design and/or positioning for a corrective appliance
If you would like to learn more about 3D CBCT and how it can be utilized in your OMS practice, contact PreXion today at 855-PREXION or find a representative in your area.