(BPT) - When was the last time you saw a dentist? If you're cringing, you're not alone. According to the American Dental Association, over 100 million Americans skip going to the dentist each year, let alone every six months. One of the top reasons people avoid it: being afraid of the dentist. They may also feel anxious about potential embarrassment, uncomfortable procedures and the possibility they'll need major work. This anxiety around going to the dentist increases the longer you put off the appointment, too. Will they judge you for staying away so long or not flossing as often as you should?

Neglecting your teeth can lead to problems, from cavities and gum disease to more serious issues like infections - even impacting cardiac health. Despite these health concerns, you may remember the dentist of your childhood as a series of fitting uncomfortable molds in your mouth, the first iteration of X-ray technology, and just generally being picked at by sharp metal tools. Today, recent advances in dentistry take away much of what scares people about visiting the dentist. Aspen Dental's 1,100+ offices nationwide offer cutting-edge technology and treatments to make your visit to the dentist as comfortable as possible. (And they won't judge you for not flossing, either.)

Here are some advancements in dentistry that make a visit to the dentist's office something to look forward to each year.

Digital X-rays. Remember how dental X-rays used to be? Having to hold perfectly still while the hygienist or dental assistant scurried out of the room? That's over. Today, our offices use digital X-ray technology that's much more comfortable for the patient and delivers images in a snap.

Intraoral digital scanners. Those uncomfortable wax bite trays are a thing of the past. Now, dentists use intraoral digital scanners to get clear, 3D images in seconds. The scanner is a hand-held tool that looks like an oversized electric toothbrush. You just say "ahhhh" and the dental team does the rest. These scanners are mainly used to get impressions for crowns, bridges, aligners and other work you may need done. When patients can see the state of their mouths and identify the problems, they are more likely to want to fix the issues. They're also more invested in both understanding their oral health and taking steps to remedy any problems.

Example of a 3D impression using the Trios Digital Scanner, available at all Aspen Dental offices nationwide. Digital scanners can be used to get impressions for crowns, bridges, aligners and more.

Digital dentures. Dentures provide a critical solution for millions of dental patients in the U.S. For so long, the process required extended visits to the dentist, including a wax try-in appointment, and fittings often continued until the right solution was found. The advent of digital dentures has enabled the ability to make models in real denture material, instead of wax, so you can try them on and smile, bite and talk normally to see how the dentures feel. Digital dentures can also be easily reproduced so you're protected even if you lose your dentures.

Motto Clear Aligners. The introduction of clear aligners gave hope to many that the days of traditional braces were over, but high costs and durability issues often plagued traditional aligners. Aspen Dental created Motto Clear Aligners which allow teeth to move more comfortably and precisely. Further, Motto aligners address many historical issues with clear aligners, with anti-bacterial material that is both stain- and odor-resistant with two durable outer shells.

Air abrasion. If the main reason you avoid the dentist is the discomfort when the hygienist picks at your teeth during the cleaning - honestly, nobody likes that - you'll be relieved to learn there's a new option to the pick. It's air abrasion, which is a procedure that uses air, water and abrasives to clean your teeth.

Laser therapy. Laser therapy at our dental offices offers the next level of dental care and can disinfect the tissues easily and efficiently. Laser therapy also promotes faster healing, so patients have less downtime after a procedure. Aspen Dental offices are beginning to roll out the first dual-wavelength soft tissue diode laser, making for faster, smoother and more efficient treatments.

Aspen Dental is committed to pioneering the latest advancements in dentistry to bring top-of-the-line dental services to patients. This is made possible through The Aspen Group University, a world-class learning and development center that equips Aspen Dental professionals with the latest skills and knowledge in dental technology.

"Digital dentistry is revolutionizing the patient experience, making dental care more accessible, efficient, comfortable and affordable than ever before,' said Dr. Sundeep Rawal, Senior Vice President of Implant Support Services at Aspen Dental. 'Improvements in oral health technology offer Aspen Dental patients a thorough knowledge of their dental health, leading to more effective results, whatever their unique needs may be. These advancements are a game-changer in dentistry, and at Aspen Dental we are proud to be at the forefront of this technological evolution."

For more information or to find a dentist near you, visit aspendental.com.