The Most Innovative Technological Advancements in Dentistry
Image Source: Unsplash
Healthcare advances in new ways every day as new technologies are leveraged for the care of our bodies. One of the industries looking to the future is dentistry, which is a huge benefit for everyone who hates going to the dentist. The better the technology for dentists to use, the easier it can be for the biannual visits we all endure.
We already have some simple technologies for good dental care in our homes. Increased accessibility to connected devices means we can see which teeth we’re brushing through an app on our phone as we’re brushing them. It’s the dental care of our future that younger generations may simply accept as the best way to keep their health in the best condition possible.
However, some of the most important advancements are happening in dentist offices and in labs around the world as researchers work to find the best possible improvements for global dental care. The more accessible and streamlined processes are for dentists, the better the care they’ll be able to provide to their patients, improving the health of teeth the world over. Here are a few of the most exciting advancements in dentistry being developed now and those that will come soon in the future.
Robot Assistance
https://unsplash.com/photos/2EJCSULRwC8
In 2017, the first robot-led dental surgery was performed in China. A robot inserted two dental implants into a human woman’s mouth under the supervision of a human team, but the supervisors weren’t actively involved in the surgery. While not everyone may want a robot to operate on their mouth, this type of technology can mean huge improvements to dentistry around the world.
For example, in China, there is a shortage of trained and qualified dentists to perform surgeries. By creating robots that are capable of safely performing some procedures, providers can increase accessibility to much-needed dental care across the country. Even if a country chooses not to have robots complete an entire surgery, they can assist in procedures with human dentists, making things more efficient.
There’s no telling where else robots can assist in dentistry going forward. Perhaps human dental hygienists will share responsibilities with robot assistants, making cleanings take half the time and allow hygienists to conserve energy to potentially do more cleanings on average. Again, this all comes down to using technology to increase access, and the more time and energy staff has, the more patients they can help in a day.
Artificial Intelligence
https://unsplash.com/photos/qwtCeJ5cLYs
Many people are already comfortable with some forms of artificial intelligence in their home. For example, Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri are virtual assistants that use AI to help users accomplish small tasks in their day-to-day lives. Now, AI is moving into the dental industry.
Some researchers are testing ways to use AI to rapidly and efficiently diagnose dental issues by training computers to read X-rays and scans. This would cut down on the time that human dental professionals spend on looking through records and would free them up to take care of other patient needs. Dentistry.AI, as another example, is a platform in final development for detecting caries.
“Dental caries” is the scientific term for any kind of tooth decay. This means that Dentisry.AI could detect existing cavities as well as spots where cavities may be developing before a human dentist would be able to find them. This would both help dentists to successfully do their job while providing patients with the best preventative care possible, as they’d be able to find spots they would otherwise miss unaided.
Regrowing Teeth
https://unsplash.com/photos/1AhGNGKuhR0
In extreme cases, people may have teeth so damaged that they’ll need either parts of them or entire teeth replaced. Usually, dentists fill holes in teeth to replace areas affected by decay or replace damaged teeth with fakes. However, thanks to improved advancements in dental technology, dentists may be able to help patients regrow their teeth as needed.
It’s possible to use stimulating drugs to probe stem cells deep within the dental pulp in a tooth to inspire it to grow. The dental pulp of a tooth is the deep inner part of a tooth that filled with nerves and blood vessels. This is where the tooth produces the bony tissue known as dentin which could be coaxed to grow via stimulation to fill spaces in the tooth that were drilled out to remove decay.
One of the biggest benefits is that, because the tooth grows dentin internally, there’s no risk of it falling out like with other fillings. The dentin would be a natural extension of the tooth repairing itself rather than an external substance being stuck to the tooth using adhesive. Researchers are currently testing different drugs that could accomplish the stimulation for growth and hope to have trials for human patients in the coming years.
Automated Scheduling Using Machine Learning
https://unsplash.com/photos/vVIwtmqsIuk
Even the front desk procedures in a dentist office are experiencing a wave of improved technology. The front desk of an office is the pulse of the patient intake and check-out process, with appointments being scheduled, follow-ups being handled, and any last-minute cancellations watched and called. Now, these tasks can be arranged using automated software trained with machine learning technologies, which of course in no way replaces the personal and sunny touch of a front desk team member who greets patients and makes them feel comfortable.
One such technology is the software ChairFill, which works to find patients who need certain types of appointments done with a dentist. It can automatically fill appointments as long as a month out and will replace cancellations immediately, monitoring and updating the calendar as often as needed. This type of integration can make running a dental practice smoother than ever before.
Regardless of the specific part of an office that is getting its tech upgraded, all of the dental industry will benefit from improved processes. Patients will benefit from better care and more efficient and accessible ways to proceed with preventative needs. Dentists will benefit from having the best resources at hand to care for the patients they see every day.
