As technology advances, so do the tools and techniques used in the dental field. From the early days of tooth extraction with crude tools to the modern, high-tech procedures available today, the field of dentistry has come a long way.
Staying relevant in your dental practice means offering the advanced technologies and services modern patients demand. This requires acquiring the necessary training for you and your team. SPS Dental Academy offers numerous options to get the training you need to provide your patients with the most innovative treatment options.
Here are some of the most innovative advancements in dentistry that you should consider offering in your dental practice.
3D Printing
The most significant technological advancement in dentistry is 3D printing. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is taking the dental industry to unbelievingly new heights in patient care, allowing for chairside digital printing of customized dental implants, bridges, and crowns tailored to fit the unique shape and size of a patient’s teeth.
3D printing technology makes possible even more precise and accurate dental restorations and procedures:
- Implants – high-resolution 3D printers are exceptional at printing complex geometries like those associated with teeth.
- Crowns and Bridges – Modern 3D printers can create fixed and removable crowns and bridges with precise casting for a superior fit.
- Surgical Guides – Dentists can now create customized surgical guides using 3D printers, so cutting and drilling during oral surgery are much more accurate and safe.
- Anatomical Replicas and Models – Modern dentists can use 3D printing to create accurate anatomical replicas of a patient’s mouth and jaws to understand their anatomy better before treatments begin.
Patients can now receive their dental restorations faster and more accurately, often in hours instead of days or weeks. Comfort, convenience, speed, accuracy, and safety all benefit the patient and the dentist.
Digital Radiography / Digital Impressions
Digital radiography is an ever-developing technology that allows dentists to take X-rays of a patient’s teeth and jaw using a digital sensor rather than traditional film. Not only does this method produce more precise, more detailed images, but it also exposes patients to less radiation.
Advanced digital impressions no longer require gooey, foul-tasting material in a patient’s mouth. A handheld digital scanner captures incredibly detailed images of the teeth, gums, and oral structures. These images are immediately shared with 3D printers or lab software to create custom dental restorations much quicker and with a much higher degree of accuracy. This reduces the need for remakes and repeated adjustments to fit the impressions comfortably.
Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry is a non-invasive and exact dental treatment that continues to find more practical uses. Laser dentistry is now used in a variety of dental procedures, including:
- Gum recontouring
- Removal of decay
- Teeth whitening
- Treating oral lesions
Precise laser therapy often doesn’t require anesthesia, and it reduces the risk of affecting healthy tissue. Patients experience less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort and can usually resume normal activities shortly after treatment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm, including the world of advanced dentistry. AI significantly improves how dentists diagnose and plan treatments for today’s patients. The modern algorithms now in use can:
- Analyze patient data from X-rays and CT scans
- Review medical histories to identify patterns and make predictions about future outcomes
- Identify early signs of dental decay
- Recommend the best treatment options for a given condition based on a patient’s unique characteristics
AI is also being used in dentistry to develop virtual treatment plans. Dentists can use advanced algorithms to virtually simulate the patient’s mouth and visualize the effect of different treatments. Patients can then view a virtual procedure and see the projected results to help them make the best decisions about their treatment. Pre-planned treatments in the virtual space also help dentists plan more accurate outcomes.
Although still in its early stages, AI has the potential to revolutionize how dentists care for their patients completely.
Offer Your Patients the Latest in Modern Dentistry
Dentistry has seen incredible advancements recently, from laser dentistry to digital radiography to artificial intelligence. These innovations have made dental procedures more efficient, comfortable, and effective. But you and your team need the proper training to use these tools effectively and safely.
SPS Dental Academy offers many options for ongoing training for established dentists and their oral care teams. Contact us today to learn more.