Developments in healthcare IT and favorable government regulations have paved the way for integrating multiple healthcare tech solutions across all medical fields, and dentistry isn’t an exception. According to the Global Market Insights, the global dental practice management software market alone will reach $3.4 billion by 2027. The pressures brought about by the health pandemic and the ever changing preferences of patients are driving the adoption of new technology solutions in dentistry.
Innovative dental solutions help dentists provide better dental care and establish strong connections with patients. Today, you can receive dental care tips to keep your teeth healthy through teledentistry or have your prosthesis printed in one hour. Keep reading to learn a few trends in dental technology and innovations shaping the future of dentistry.
3D Printing Technology
Thanks to 3D printing technology in dentistry, dental treatment will become less time-consuming and more affordable in the next coming years. Since 3D printers are low-cost and high-speed, dentists can use them to manufacture dental implants faster and at a lower rate. Besides being affordable, dental restorations made using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) are accurate. They also have appealing aesthetics and less structural flaws, meaning they are more durable compared to conventional implants made in laboratories.
Currently, dentists leverage 3D printing technology to create 3D models of patients’ jaws. To enhance accuracy, dental professionals use patients’ dental structural data collected using cone-beam computed tomography. This data enables dentists to create volumetric images that help assess the impact of restorative treatment or surgical procedures. As technology continues to advance, it’s clear that 3D printing will do more than help dentists fabricate dental implants quickly. Dentists might one-day print teeth using this technology.
Teledentistry Improves Access To Dental Care
Teledentistry depends on digital communication tools or techniques like video conferencing, instant messaging, and live chats. It helps dentists provide consultations and basic oral examinations remotely. Ideally, patients can consult dentists from their home or office via video or text messages, thus reducing travel-related stress for those who can’t access reliable transportation.
Teledentistry offers many benefits, such as promoting access to dental care and reducing dental care expenses. Tools used in teledentistry also help dentists determine if a patient needs to visit an emergency dental clinic or wait until their next in-person appointment. Note that, dentist recommend emergency dental services via teledentistry tools if you have bleeding gums, need tooth extraction, or require a restorative resin tooth filling. To benefit from teledentistry, dentists must comply with data privacy laws.
Artificial Intelligence
Today’s dentists rely on various software to get data insights and make informed decisions. The reliance on software in dentistry is paving the way for the integration of artificial intelligence to find effective treatments for dental patients. Artificial intelligence is more consistent in diagnosing oral health conditions such as tooth decay and oral cancer than dental professional dentists. Moreover, AI algorithms rely on millions of data to identify specific dental conditions faster. The use of artificial intelligence in dentistry has helped to discover abnormal structure, diagnose oral health conditions, and even suggest treatment.
Technological advances in the dental industry focus on improving timely access to dental care, diagnosis, and treatment. Dentists also integrate the latest technologies to manufacture affordable restorative implants faster. Some of the emerging trends in dental technology shaping the future of dentistry include increased dependence on 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and teledentistry.
