Many dentists are following the introduction and implementation of new technologies in the industry.
Four dentists recently spoke with Becker's about the trends they are currently following and the impact these trends are having on the industry.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.
Andres Biaggi, DMD. Preferred Dental Center (San Antonio): The biggest trend in dentistry right now, which I already implemented in my practice, is technology. My practice is a full implant practice and the new technology has made my life a lot easier. Introducing the X-Guide system four years ago and the scanner and 3D printer more than a year ago has made my workflow run super smoothly and I can give my patients better service.
Lee Boese, DDS. Orthodontics Exclusively (Merced and Fresno, Calif.): I believe the biggest trend will be incorporating the treatment of sleep apnea in older patients and asthma in young patients. Currently, the dental profession is underdiagnosing this condition in young children and adults.
I believe the day is coming when these intraoral scanners will be able to incorporate data, combining CBCT scans representing the exact tooth position and shape of the jaw joints. In addition, scans of orthodontic head films and soft tissue cephalometric head films will be combined into one large 3D model of the patients' jaws, teeth and joints.
We are probably three to five years away from capturing huge data landmarks, making all tooth movement more precise and improving jaw function, tooth wear, joint stability and periodontal conditions. The new intraoral scanners, computers and X-rays will be available at a more affordable price and we will have the computer power and hardware to run this incredibly large 3D model like a weather model but much more accurately.
In the future, this imaging software will create a dynamic, functional 3D model incorporating TMJ joints [and] dental occlusion while also increasing the posterior width of the maxilla to open up or increase patient airways.
I see aligner therapy being able to treat sleep apnea at an early age. I have actually completed one ortho case using aligners, and the patient was treated surgically without braces. We increased the airway by 200% in a 58-year-old male with moderate sleep apnea, and the patient presented a fair medical condition. Despite this, the aligner therapy succeeded.
Artificial intelligence and the advancement of faster computers and state-of-the-art scanners is a trend in dentistry that is going to be as big an improvement as the bracket replacing banding in the early 70s.
Daniel Lingenfelter, DDS. Fitch Mountain Dental (Healdsburg, Calif.): I think the biggest trend in dentistry right now is 3D printing. Milling has many issues, such as prep design, time to mill/fire, limitations on the size of what you can mill and the amount you can mill at one time. Due to the costs, milling is also limited. A typical setup to mill might cost $150,000 versus a 3D printing setup, which could be as little as $7,000 to $12,000. 3D printing is still in its infancy. However, I believe we will be printing most, if not all, restorations and prostheses in the future. As strength and material science improve (it has greatly over recent years already), we will continue to see more printed prostheses and options for printing units. Many major dental companies have already branded their own printer and offer resins.
Michael Perpich, DDS. Northland Smiles (Deerwood and Little Falls, Minn.): The two issues I am continuing to follow is the incorporation of artificial intelligence into dentistry, [including] insurance companies using the technology to adjudicate claims and dentists using the technology to educate patients on what their treatment needs are.
In addition, I am continuing to follow the workforce shortage as it continues to play a role in delivering quality care to patients in all forms of dental practice.