New emerging technologies that will change dentistry - Thayer Dental Care

Posted by samir Patel on January 25th, 2019

Each year, new technologies emerge in the dental world that change and improve existing workflows.

Six emerging technologies are:-

1. Ultrasound technology

The goal with ultrasound solutions in dentistry is to provide a radiation-free option for imaging, along with detailed, 3D images of the teeth and jaw. Ultrasounds could offer an alternative to many 2D and 3D imaging solutions currently available. The “3D” ultrasound technology that is commonly seen with fetal ultrasounds of pregnant women shows how far ultrasound imaging has come. If that kind of progress continues, it’s easy to imagine a world in which ultrasound imaging becomes a popular method for caries detection, digital impressions, imaging and more.

2. Continuous Liquid Interface Production

Continuous Liquid Interface Production, a proprietary 3D printing technology owned by Carbon. This method of 3D printing is engineered to be around 100 times faster than current 3D printing speeds, and also has the added benefit of looking like a science fiction movie. Other 3D printing technologies are also drastically changing what dentists can do in terms of cost, speed, accuracy or other factors. There may not be a more disruptive technology coming to dentistry than 3D printing, and what we’ve seen at this point is likely just a hint of what’s to come.    

3. Robotics

Earlier this year, the first robot designed for dental implant surgery was approved by FDA. It’s designed to ensure accurate and precise oral surgery, specifically for implant cases and implant placements. The intent of surgical robots is to allow more precise control over surgeries, ostensibly providing better care, less invasive procedures and improved healing times. Some researchers are even experimenting with completely hands-free surgeries—though these will likely always be a minority since quick reactions and critical thinking are key to any surgery.

4. Virtual Reality

On the clinician side, VR could revolutionize how dental professionals are educated, both in dental school and in continuing education courses. Hygienists and other members of the dental team could use VR training to hone their skills and experiment with different ergonomic techniques without the presence of a real patient. It provides a virtual laboratory for any dental professional to test out the latest technology and techniques.  Virtual reality is completely immersive, and can help distract even the most skittish dental patient.

5. Artificial Intelligence

With the advent of digital dentistry, dental offices now collect a significant amount of data—from 3D images, to patient files, to EHR, to intraoral scans and so on. That data is helpful in the day-to-day job of the clinician and the dental team, but it’s even more useful in the virtual “hands” of AI. A system that was built to learn and develop its own intelligence can scan, analyze and make sense of the massive amounts of data. It can then suggest treatment options, predict problems and issues before they happen, and ensure any planned medication or procedures won’t interfere with other health concerns and more. Artificial intelligence could also be used to eventually help with diagnoses and analysis of images—2D or 3D.

6. 3D printing materials

In the manufacturing sector, printable ceramics have been available for several years. While right now the materials aren’t biocompatible, but it doesn’t take much imagination to understand how this technology could eventually lead to printable teeth that require a simple finish and polish before insertion. Additional materials could be used to print “gingiva” with the final goal of dentures that are completely 3D printed.

For More dental Information Please Contact Us:-

Thayer Dental Care

Dr. Samir Patel (General and Cosmetic Dentist)