What Is Teledentistry and How Does It Work?

Put it simply, “Teledentistry” uses technology to bring dental care to you, no matter where you are.  But what is teledentistry and how does it work? As a mix of “tele” (distance) and “dentistry,” the term describes how dental care can be delivered remotely, especially for people who find it hard to visit a clinic in person.

Dentists and patients can connect through video calls, phone calls, or even messaging apps. As a result, patients can get advice and basic care from home easily without needing to go into a clinic.

During a teledentistry appointment, a dentist can look at photos or videos of your teeth, give advice on pain relief, or recommend a follow-up in-person visit if needed. While it doesn’t replace in-office exams or treatments, it helps people get quick, professional guidance without travel.

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What is the history of teledentistry?

Teledentistry is a newer branch of telehealth, but its roots go back to the 1990s. The U.S. military first explored teledentistry in 1994 to help Army soldiers get dental care even when stationed remotely. Since then, technology improvements have made teledentistry even more accessible. Today, many patients and dentists use it to simplify dental checkups, consultations, and follow-ups.

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What Services Can You Get With Remote or Tele Dentistry?

Initial Consultations

Teledentistry is helpful for initial consultations when patients first notice a common dental issue like:

• Toothache: Patients can show the affected area, describe pain levels, and discuss possible causes.
• Sensitive Teeth: Dentists can offer advice on dietary changes, toothpaste recommendations, or temporary pain relief.
• Swollen Gums: Dentists can assess mild swelling through photos and suggest saltwater rinses or over-the-counter remedies.
• Dental Emergency: Emergency teledentistry can provide quick guidance when you need immediate dental help but can’t visit a clinic right away.

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Follow-Up Appointments

Patients can use teledentistry for follow-ups after a dental procedure to discuss healing and lingering symptoms. Common follow-up uses include:

• Post-Filling or Extraction Care: Dentists can check healing progress, address concerns about pain, and provide aftercare tips.
• Braces or Aligners Check-In: For orthodontic treatments, dentists can review the position of braces or aligners and offer guidance on adjustments.
• Whitening Treatment Follow-Up: Patients can discuss any sensitivity issues after whitening and get advice on soothing treatments.

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Teledentistry in combination with In-Person Visits

For some dental issues, teledentistry can help determine if a visit is necessary if determined, still require an in-person visit for a direct examination and treatment. Examples include:

• Broken Teeth: Dentists need to examine fractures closely and apply bonding or crowns as needed.
• Jaw Pain: Persistent jaw pain may require X-rays or physical examination for accurate diagnosis.
• Signs of Infection: Infections, such as abscesses, need in-person assessment and possible antibiotic prescriptions.
• Smile Design: Patients can start their cosmetic consultations remotely and gent a customized outline before starting the smile using techniques like veneers, whitening, or reshaping.
• Physical Treatments: Procedures like cleanings, fillings, and extractions must be done in-office.

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Types of Teledentistry: Synchronous and Asynchronous

Synchronous

Teledentistry comes in two main types: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous teledentistry is live and interactive. It happens in real-time, like a video or phone call with your dentist. You and your dentist can talk directly, ask questions, and get immediate feedback. There’s also the option of a text or chat consultation if you’re more comfortable messaging about your issues. This type is helpful for situations where a quick response is needed or when you want the comfort of speaking face-to-face, even if it’s through a screen.

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Asynchronous

Asynchronous teledentistry, on the other hand, doesn’t require a live connection. Instead, you upload photos, videos, or other records that show your dental concerns. The dentist reviews these materials later and sends you a response with their advice or recommendations. This type is great if you can’t find time for a live appointment or if the issue isn’t urgent. Dentists often use asynchronous teledentistry to provide checkups for ongoing treatments, review dental history, or offer advice on home care. Both methods make dental care more flexible and accessible for patients.

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How a Teledentistry Appointment Works

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Teledentistry Appointment Steps

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1. Booking the Appointment
   Patient schedules the teledentistry appointment online or by calling the dental office.
2. Receiving Confirmation and Access Link
   Once booked, patient will get a secure link for the video chat, a phone number to call, or an ID from messaging apps to send message at the scheduled time.

3. Completing Pre-Appointment Steps
   Patient fills out any required forms, provides a description of their dental issue or symptoms, and submits clear photos or videos of the problem area, as requested by the dentist, along with any additional information like X-rays (If they have).
4. Joining the Appointment (Only for synchronous teledentistry)
   At the scheduled time, patient joins the video call, calls the provided number, or send a message to connect with dentist.

6. Discussing Concerns (Only for synchronous teledentistry)
   Patient shares dental concerns, symptoms, or questions with the dentist during the appointment.
7. Dentist Reviews Submissions (Only for aynchronous teledentistry)
   The dentist reviews submitted photos, videos, and provided information at a later time.
8. Receiving Diagnosis and Advice
   After reviewing (in asynchronous), and at the same session (in synchronous), the dentist sends a response with a diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or home care tips. These treatment suggestions may include steps for self-care or scheduling an in-person visit.
9. Receiving Prescriptions (Optional)
   For issues like pain or infection, the dentist may send a prescription directly to pharmacy using e-health systems.

9. Following Up Recommendation (Optional)
   If another session (virtual or in-person) is necessary, the dentist will advise patient on what to do next.

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How long does a dental video visit last?

A dental video visit typically takes between 10 to 30 minutes. The exact duration depends on the reason for the visit, the complexity of the issue, and the dentist’s approach. Simple consultations or follow-ups may only take 10-15 minutes, while more detailed discussions could take closer to 30 minutes.

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How much does a dental video visit cost?

A dental video visit typically costs between $10 to $80. Costs vary based on location, service type, and insurance coverage.

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Benefits of Teledentistry

Benefits for Patients

As a patient you can:

• Access dentists worldwide, including from high-tech countries, even from rural or underserved areas, without expensive travel.
• Schedule appointments more flexibly, including in the evenings or on weekends.
• Save time by avoiding commutes to and from the dental office.
• Lower costs since virtual consultations are often less expensive than in-person visits.
• Schedule remote consultations more quickly than in-office appointments, and reduce waiting times.
• If you have mobility challenges, you can receive care from home.
• Choose between video calls, phone calls, or messaging, depending on what’s most comfortable.
• Reduce exposure to other patients, which is especially helpful during illness outbreaks.

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Benefits for Dentists

Also dentists can:

• Connect with patients beyond the immediate location.
• Use office time more efficiently by reserving in-office visits for patients who need hands-on treatments.
• Schedule appointments that fit their availability, even offering evening or weekend slots.
• Save on clinic resources, as fewer in-office visits reduce the use of dental chairs and equipment, lowering operational costs.
• Create a calmer, safer environment by reducing waiting room traffic for in-person visits.
• Maintain a safer environment by limiting in-office appointments, which reduces exposure to potential illnesses.

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Challenges and Limitations of Teledentistry

• Data Security and Privacy Risks
• Limitations in Diagnosing Certain Conditions Without In-Person Exams
• Dependence on Strong Internet Connection
• Need for Proper Devices (e.g., smartphone or computer with a camera)
• Patients’ Tech Literacy and Comfort with Virtual Platforms
• Initial Setup Costs for Dentists (secure software, training, etc.)
• Limited Access to Teledentistry in Remote Areas with Poor Internet Quality.

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Current Trends and the Future of Teledentistry

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry helped patients connect with dentists safely from home. This experience made both patients and dentists more comfortable with virtual care, and the trend has continued even post-pandemic.

The teledentistry market is expected to grow because of the rising demand for accessible, flexible dental care options. This growth is expected to expand dental services in rural and underserved areas, and thus deliver more proper dental treatment to people who might otherwise struggle to get care.

Technology will also play a huge role in shaping the future of teledentistry. Advanced AI can help dentists analyze X-rays, photos, and videos more accurately. Faster internet and better connectivity will make virtual appointments smoother and more reliable, even in remote areas. Teledentistry may expand into preventive care, orthodontics, and ongoing remote monitoring for conditions like gum disease or controlling recovery process after surgeries.

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Takeaway

Take advantage of teledentistry at Dr. Noorbakhsh Dental Clinic. If you’re interested in exploring options to enhance your smile, try our virtual dental consultation. Get started today! And if you ever have a dental emergency, remember our online emergency dental appointments — you never know when you might need us. Our clinic is based in Iran, proudly serving the local community and surrounding areas, but for international patients, apart from teledentistry services, we also offer dental tourism services.

Let us bring convenient, expert dental care to you wherever you are!