What are new technologies that will affect the future of dentistry? We will look at trends of the last few years to predict what 2021 will look like for dentistry.
The smart toothbrush
As our houses become high tech we are seeing smart devices pop up everywhere in the home. Many people have AI assistants from Google or Amazon. There are also smart windows can adjust shades/transparency according to sunlight and time of day. Smart lights can turn on with a morning alarm…the list goes on and is only getting bigger.
Of course health devices are here too. Many people employ smart watches for fitness and regulating sleep schedules. Dental care is in on it as well. Smart toothbrushes have made an appearance, and it seems they are here to stay. Smart brushes connected to phone apps make sure you clean the entire surface area of your teeth and use other proper brushing practices. They function almost as dental professionals, giving proper brushing techniques and ensuring you stay up on them. The data collected by the toothbrushes can be shared with your dental office to help identify problem areas that might need treatment.
If you are looking for a last-minute Christmas gift this year, check out this list of the best smart and electric toothbrushes from 2020.
Teledentistry
Teledentistry is the use of remote cameras and calling so that patients can receive service from dentists without being nearby them physically. It’s been in use for years, but the rise of cheap, small cameras has really exploded the capabilities of teledentistry. It’s especially useful for poor/rural locations across the world that don’t have physical access to any dentists in the area. A dentist can look at/in someone’s mouth via a camera and then prescribe medicine/actions to improve that person’s oral health.
CAD and 3d printing
CAD (computer aided design) and 3d printing have revolutionized many industries in their short tenure. CAD has enabled much easier machining and precise design, while 3d printing has created a whole new manufacturing industry. In dentistry, when a tooth needed to be placed in the past, the dentist would have to make a mold of the tooth and have a lab create an exact replica. The process could take weeks, not including the actual surgery to replace the tooth. Now, a tooth can be scanned, designed with cad, and 3d printed in hours. The same goes for other dental implants: bridges, retainers, crowns, and more can be cheaply and easily created with exactitude thanks to these new technologies.
The intra-oral camera
The intra-oral camera is exactly what it sounds like – a camera for the inside of the mouth. This seems like a relatively mundane piece of tech, but its impact is profound. Before, a dentist could only look at the inside of a patient’s mouth and relay that information back to the patient verbally. Now, thanks to high quality intra-oral cameras, a patient can see exactly what is going on inside his/her mouth. This helps spark better conversations between dentists and patients about how to best perform dental care. It also helps ensure that patients better understand what is going on in their own mouths.
VR and AR
Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR respectively) are changing many aspects of our world. In dentistry, these technologies are being used to disseminate information, as surgeries can be watched in real time with VR, and dental training using AR can help students learn more effectively. Before, only a few students could peak over the shoulder of a surgeon performing a procedure. Thanks to VR, that procedure can be viewed – in detail – by thousands. AR, the use of virtual creations imposed on the real world, can be used in restorative dentistry. Dentists can show exactly what an implant will look like in the mouth prior to a surgery.
Stay on top of the changing scene with Josey Lane Dentistry
At Josey Lane, we stay up to date with the latest developments in our science. Whether it’s 3d printing implants or smart toothbrushes with apps to help you brush your best, we are happy to help you with the newest technology available. We want to go into the year 2021 on a strong foot, so we are ready to change with the world. If you need a family dentist in the Carrollton Texas area with a personal touch and an eye for the cutting edge, we are happy to help, let us know how. Happy holidays from Josey Lane.
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