The quick evolution of technology will lead to continued innovations in patient care, according to Barry Lyon, DDS.
Dr. Lyon, dental director for Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics and Dental Care Alliance, recently spoke with Becker’s about his predictions for how dentistry will change over the next 10 years.
Editor’s note: This Q&A is part of a weekly series featuring Dr. Lyon focused on topics in the dental industry and DSO field. The views expressed are those of Dr. Lyon and do not necessarily reflect those of Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics or Dental Care Alliance.
This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Dr. Barry Lyon:
The next 10 years will bring changes to the practice of dentistry. During the 1970s, preventive dentistry was the new practice mode with a focus on periodontal health and decay prevention as it pertained to everyone in the family. With the movement today toward adopting the latest technological advances, we can expect dentistry to become even more proactive.
The use of artificial intelligence is already becoming the standard of care. By the 2030s, it will be the basis with which all dentistry will be practiced. Along with the practice of medicine, AI software will analyze X-rays and 3D scans with an impressive level of accuracy. Decay and periodontal issues will be detected long before they become visible to the human eye. AI will use your genetic data and history to predict your risk for future issues like gum disease or oral cancer.
Robotic dental surgery will develop and be capable of performing tasks with more precision than ever before. Fully autonomous robots have already begun performing crown preps in record time (15 minutes vs. 2 hours). In 10 years, robotic-guided surgery will make dental implants as routine and precise as LASIK eye surgery. The use of lasers and robotics will make dentistry more comfortable and faster than it’s ever been.
Finally, the “mouth-body” connection will be at the forefront of dental care. Dentists will increasingly function as primary care providers and will offer whole health screening for things like diabetes, heart disease and hormone levels using saliva tests.
