How New Dental Technology Is Shaping the Future of Dentistry

Is your dental practice endorsing smart electric toothbrushes yet? Their sales have spiked as Americans have embraced this new technology in dentistry. Consider recommending them to help patients fight tooth decay and eliminate other oral health problems.

But why stop there? New dental technology is impacting the future of dentistry in many ways, and your practice can take advantage of it by staying informed on the latest innovations. These advancements in dentistry can enhance patient care, make your practice more efficient, and increase patient satisfaction.

You can also integrate Weave’s powerful dental practice solutions with these emerging technologies for improved practice management. Learn more below.

Intraoral Scanners

The average person can open their mouth 1.4 to 2.2 inches wide. However, some people can’t, making it challenging for dentists to evaluate a patient’s mouth. Intraoral scanners are one form of new technology in dentistry that can help.

Introduction to Intraoral Scanners

Intraoral scanners are sophisticated devices that create highly detailed 3D models of a patient’s teeth by scanning inside their mouth and collecting thousands of images before piecing them together.

Benefits for Dental Professionals and Patients

Dentists appreciate that intraoral scanners can create dental impressions with unmatched accuracy. They can use them to get more detailed information about a patient’s oral health, diagnose more accurately, and offer various dental procedures.

Patients love how comfortable intraoral scanners are. These scanners also give them more confidence in their dentists’ treatment options.

Integration With Digital Workflows

Intraoral scanners make it possible for practices to streamline workflows from impression to final restoration. They allow you to digitize 3D models and integrate them into digital workflows.

CAD/CAM Dental Technology

Computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) are examples of the best new technology in dentistry for enhancing efficiency.

What Is CAD/CAM Dental Technology?

CAD and CAM dental technology rely on 3D printing technology, which helps dental practices create dental restorations like crowns. Thanks to 3D printing, they no longer have to make molds of patients’ teeth and count on dental laboratories.

Instead, they can:

• Drill a patient’s tooth to prepare it for a crown
• Capture images and send them to a computer
• Create a crown in their own dental offices with a 3D printer

Advantages of CAD/CAM Dental Technology

CAD/CAM dental technology provides the following benefits:

• Creates dental crowns within minutes through 3D-printing
• Prevents the need for temporary dental crowns
• Makes dental crowns more cost-effective

Implementation in Dental Practices

To take advantage of CAD/CAM dental technology, invest in the necessary software and 3D printer.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

More than 80% of businesses are embracing artificial intelligence. Although it’s a new technology in dentistry, it’s already making a splash.

AI in Diagnostic Imaging

Artificial intelligence in diagnostic imaging can help dentists diagnose dental issues, engage in clinical decision-making, and create more favorable dental treatment outcomes. Studies show AI tools may detect cavities, periodontitis, oral cancer, and other oral diseases early.

AI in Practice Management

AI tools can also help your practice’s administrative staff by using automation and machine learning to assist with scheduling and billing.

Future Prospects

AI digital tools may make life even easier for dental professionals by:

• Enhancing diagnostic accuracy
• Personalizing patient dental care
• Streamlining daily operations

Laser Technology

More than 90% of Americans have experienced tooth decay. Laser dental technology helps detect it.

Laser Dentistry Detection of Caries

Here is how laser dental technology can detect decay:

• A dental professional calibrates a diode laser by pointing it at a cleaned tooth.
• They point it at other teeth to see how it reflects.
• They look for teeth that reflect fluorescent colors, indicating decay.

Benefits Over Traditional Methods

Using laser dental technology to detect tooth decay can reduce the need for X-rays. It can also deliver more accurate analyses and detect decay sooner.

Patient Experience

Patients love laser dental technology because it provides a quick process that doesn’t require pain management. They always appreciate when technology makes dental visits easier.

Digital Radiography

Dentists have used traditional X-rays since the late 1800s. Digital radiography is more common now.

Transition From Film to Digital

Dentists no longer need to use traditional film X-rays. Instead, they can use X-ray-sensitive plates to capture digital images that appear instantly on a computer screen.

Advantages of Digital X-Rays

The biggest benefits of using digital X-rays are:

• Quicker processing times
• Improved image quality
• Minimal exposure to radiation

Practical Applications

Digital radiology can improve the accuracy of your dentists’ diagnoses and let dentists deliver effective patient dental care.

Teledentistry

Only about 25% of dentists offer teledentistry services, but that number could increase soon.

What Is Teledentistry?

Teledentistry allows patients to receive dental care during phone and video consultations. While it isn’t as popular as telehealth services — three-fourths of doctors work for medical practices that offer them — it is gaining ground.

Dental Care Benefits for Patients and Dentists

Over one-third of Americans fear going to the dentist. Teledentistry services let them discuss oral health care with a dentist without anxiety.

More dentists also offer personalized care through teledentistry services, allowing them to expand their practice’s reach.

Implementation Strategies

Investing in a dental office communication system through Weave can help you provide patients with teledentistry.

Zirconia Crowns

Dental crowns have traditionally been ceramic, porcelain, or gold. The dental industry introduced zirconia crowns around 2010 to offer a better option.

Why Zirconia?

Zirconia crowns can last for up to 20 years. Other advantages include:

• Natural appearance
• Temperature resistance
• Biocompatibility

Customization and Durability

It’s hard to disguise dental crowns. However, with zirconia crowns, patients can proudly show off their teeth without anyone noticing them because of how natural they look.

Zirconia crowns also have incredible strength. They’re up to five times stronger than porcelain crowns.

Patient Outcomes

Zirconia crowns can improve your practice’s patient experiences by looking great and allowing people to avoid encountering issues with them.

Digital Records and Charts

About 50% of U.S. dental practices have adopted electronic health records. That number may reach 100% before long.

Importance of Digital Records

Keeping digital records helps improve accuracy. It can also help dentists analyze patient data and streamline patient data management.

Benefits for Dental Practices

Digital record keeping offers the following advantages:

• It makes patient records easily accessible
• It keeps patient records secure
• It stops patient records from being an administrative burden

Implementation Tips

Transitioning from paper to digital records will allow your practice to invest in the digital forms available through Weave.

Virtual Reality (VR) in Dentistry

Virtual reality headsets may benefit patients and dentists alike during dental exams.

VR for Patient Comfort

Studies have identified VR headsets as a reliable distraction system for those with dental anxiety during dental visits. They help patients focus on something other than fear during dental procedures.

VR for Training and Education

VR headsets have worked their way into dental education. They’ve also become staples of training sessions for experienced dentists.

Future Applications

As VR technology improves, so will dental VR simulators, resulting in even more experienced dentists.

Overcoming Challenges in Adopting New Technology and Dental Procedures

New technology in dentistry has the potential to elevate your practice, but it’ll also provide challenges. Know what to expect.

Staff Training and Adaptation

Train your employees about the new technology in dentistry and build a higher-performing team.

Financial Considerations

Prepare for the prices of new dental technologies and consider which dental advancements will provide the best return on investment in the dental industry.

Patient Communication

Teach patients about your practice’s new cutting-edge technology to encourage them to embrace it.

See How New Technology in Dentistry Can Benefit Your Dental Practice

Adopting new dental technologies can improve your practice’s bottom line and increase patient satisfaction. Outperform your competition by investing in new technology in dentistry. Get a demo to see how Weave’s solutions can integrate with these new technologies to optimize your practice management.