Aspen Dental: Future Trends in Dentistry: What to Expect in the Next Decade

As research and technology evolve, dental care experts can expect new treatments and innovations in their industry in the years to come. Additionally, patients may benefit from more convenience and better oral health overall.  Here’s a look at some of the trends likely to emerge in the next decade.

Regenerative treatments

Advances in stem cell research and regenerative medicine are paving the way for techniques that can regenerate dental tissues. Back in 2016, researchers at the University of Nottingham won a prize in the Materials category of the Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Technologies Competition for their development of a potential new biomaterial for dental treatment.¹ The synthetic materials they created could stimulate stem cells found in tooth pulp to help regrow dentin. In time, dentists may be able to provide fast and efficient tooth repair solutions to patients with cavities and cracked teeth without oral surgery.

3D Printing

3D printing technology has been around for a while and shows excellent potential to get better dental prosthetics. Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology can be used to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other custom orthodontic devices that are more precise and comfortable for patients. Some labs are already using 3D printers to create comfortable and discreet dental aligners that are customized for each patient, but the technology can become more widespread and affordable in the years to come.

Teledentistry

While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of teledentistry, virtual dental care may become more common as communication technology improves. Intraoral cameras, advanced sensors, and smart dental devices can make consultations, monitoring, and follow-ups much easier and more convenient. This is particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas. Teledentistry can support the early detection of issues and ensure dentists can quickly diagnose issues like infections that may require a root canal or impacted third molars requiring wisdom teeth removal.

AI-supported diagnosis

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have overhauled several industries over the past few years, and dentistry isn’t far behind. Expect to see AI tools integrated into diagnostic tools to help dentists analyze X-rays and other imaging more accurately. Well-trained AI models may help detect early signs of cavities, oral cancers, and other conditions, leading to earlier and more effective treatment. Dentists may also be able to leverage AI to create personalized treatment plans for patients.

Lastly, AI can help simplify administrative tasks in a dental care practice by facilitating payments, setting up appointments and follow-ups, tracking and managing patient history, and more. This ensures that dentists and nurses are free to focus on patient care.²

Sources:

¹ Berxi – The Future of Dentistry: 7 Things to Expect & Plan For by 2030

² Health Tech Academy – 4 Ways Dental Care Could Change in the Next 10 Years

 

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Name: Sonakshi Murze
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Job Title: Manager