A dental practitioner is responsible for staying aware of the latest trends and innovations in the dental industry. This enables them to remain informed, implement innovative treatment methods, and educate their patients about any newly-developed options that may be suitable for their needs.
So, which emerging trends should you look out for in the dental industry?
Keep reading as we explore the
latest oral dental trends and techniques for the industry in 2023 - from dental treatments to how you access dental services.
Teledentistry
Visiting the dentist can be difficult for those with disabilities. And, for those anxious about visiting the dentist, it can stir up some uncomfortable emotions. Teledentistry provides a solution, allowing you to see your dentist for a consultation without visiting the dentist.
Consultations can be performed without your dentist performing an examination. They simply allow you to discuss treatment options, your recovery, and any issues with your teeth.
Teledentistry connects patients with their dentist over the phone or via a video conferencing tool. This allows dentists to see more patients each day and also allows patients to access dental care more easily. For these reasons, we are seeing more and more dentists adopt teledentistry.
Computer-Assisted Design And 3D Printing
Designing and creating dental implants, crowns, and veneers can take a long time, causing delays in dental processes. The dentist must first take a mould of the patient's teeth and send it to a specialist who will design the implant, crown, or veneer.
The specialist will then create the dental piece by hand, which can take a long time due to the need for accuracy. However, to streamline this process, experts have developed software that allows dentists to automate the design process.
And once a design has been constructed, they can use 3D printing to create the dental insert. By streamlining and automating these processes, dentists can speed up their treatments for more convenience.
Regenerative Dentistry
What if you could regenerate the teeth instead of masking them with crowns? Regenerative dentistry rests on the concept of self-healing teeth. Using biological therapy, dentists can insert fillings that help teeth heal.
Since holding onto natural teeth is the primary goal of dentistry, regenerative dentistry is a revelation. Preventative care can help preserve teeth, but tooth decay is often inevitable. Though this kind of therapy is not available to dental patients yet, we expect to see more trends and innovations emerging in regenerative dentistry over the next decade.
CRISPR
Dentists are very excited about the application of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to prevent cancer. CRISPR is entirely natural, and it is suggested that it could help scientists design babies in the future. CRISPR can also inhibit the function of bacteria, which means that dentists can use it to prevent tooth decay and plaque buildup.
Both periodontal disease and tooth decay can be combated with CRISPR innovation. We can expect healthier teeth as this technology is developed and harnessed to its full potential.
Intra-Oral Cameras
You can expect to see dentists using this technology more and more in the next few years. Though dental mirrors can help dentists view the hard-to-reach places in your mouth, a camera can provide an even closer look.
High-definition video and zoom features allow your dentist to map your dental health more clearly, increasing the likelihood of spotting dental complications earlier. Additionally, it can make dental appointments more comfortable for those who like their personal space - as your dentist won't need to peek so closely into your mouth!
Summary
Dental care is a constantly-evolving industry, and dentists must stay aware of relevant innovations that can improve their services. If you're visiting your dentist soon, why not ask them about the dental trends listed in this article? They will be happy to tell you more about these technologies and when we can expect to see them in the dentist's office.