The Dentistry of the Future
Dentistry has made some amazing advances in the last 40-50 years and it’s no surprise that we wonder what new developments are in store for the next few decades.
Based on current research and development, here are a few technologies that will probably be coming along to a dentist in Bournemouth, Manchester or Glasgow to save our smiles.
Training and education
Virtual reality and haptic feedback (students feel the force-feedback from the simulations through the “drill”) are likely to become a mainstay of dental training. It’s important for dentists to be able to feel the change from decayed to healthy tooth when drilling and previous teaching aids like mannequins and models can’t replicate this properly.
An additional advantage of haptic feedback is that it can identify where a student is going wrong, or where they need to improve, which is impossible with a model (and unethical with a live patient!). Digital patients are a fun and effective way for dentistry students to gain experience and hone their techniques.
Bionic teeth
The idea of healing damaged teeth, or even growing entire new ones, has long been a dream of humanity. Fillings, crowns and dentures have served us well, but now we’re approaching the holy grail of dentistry – bioactive dentine and enamel replacements and teeth grown from stem cells.
This is one of the most exciting developments in the fight against decay and tooth loss. Fillings that use the body’s own repair process will revolutionise dentistry. Traditionally, fillings have a limited lifespan – they eventually fail, leading to more invasive measures like root canal fillings and crowns or implants. Fillings that are self-perpetuating and healing will probably mean a permanent solution to cavities or tooth injuries.
Stem cell research is hugely important now, with many centres looking for ways to grow new teeth from mesenchymal stem cells that can be replicated in labs. These teeth will be anatomically whole – dentine, enamel, root and pulp – and maybe the answer to the old question of how to restore a gappy smile. Whether or not this new technology will permeate even the most humble of local dental labs remains to be seen, but a start is a start!
Tooth regeneration is also made more likely and possible by developing it alongside other new technologies like 3D printing. There’s research being conducted into using 3D-printed scaffolds with stem cells and gene therapy – the cells migrate to the scaffold and do what they’re “told” to do by genes. Some cells will become root cells, others dentine, and so on.
3D printing
The rise of 3D printing and CAD-CAM techniques might look as if they’ll make dental labs and dental technicians obsolete – press a few buttons and you have an implant a few minutes later. However, all that will probably happen is that dental technicians will have to retrain to use these new methods, as will many dentists. In fact, the proliferation of technicians and dentists able to use this new tech will bring it into the mainstream and make it cheaper and much more accessible to patients.
I’m amazed how much dentistry has evolved. I remember when you could only have braces made of metal but now they have the clear one and even some you can remove.
It is amazing isn’t it just how quickly everything is changing. x
I think this advanced technology is amazing. I hate going to the dentist but I would hate it a little less if the experience was more comfortable.
Not a fan of going to the dentist, but so necessary. Anything to make it more appealing
Some of the technical advances are amazing. How neat that they can use 3D printing in dentistry.
It is amazing isn’t it – who knew 3D printing would have so many uses! x
With technology advancing to new heights every day there is no surprise that the dentistry is going to head to some dramatic developments as well. The Bionic teeth concept sounds like a great one & I hope it becomes successful.
It is amazing isn’t it how quickly everything is changing and getting bigger and hopefully better when it comes to technological advances. x
My teeth might look fabulous but I honestly have the worst teeth ever!!!! So being able to “grow” replacement teeth would be a dream come true lol
My teeth are OK – however my gums not so much >.< my new hygienist just said it's because you have such a dry mouth so I'm hoping lots of swilling and chewing sugar free gum might help! x
It is amazing how technology is changing dentistry. I look forward to all the advancements.
It is amazing isn’t it – I wouldn’t have thought 3D printing could have been used for so much! x
I’ll admit I am and always have been terrified of the dentist but nowadays it seems like a much better time to get in there than before. It’s crazy how far we’ve come.
I have to admit I hate it as well – I have to force myself to go every 3 months >.< x
It is awesome that new tech and research will help in this field so much. I didn’t expect VR to be used in training yet!
It is amazing isn’t it – how they adapt these things to help in so many situations. x
Did I really read about Bionic Teeth? The advancement of 3D printing will really make that happen? That would be amazing. With the amount of kids needing dental work now sooner than later, compared to years ago, this would be great! I’m sure it will be expensive though.
Haha it is absolutely amazing isn’t it – how far we have come in so little time like what! x
I think it is cool that the dentist can see teeth in 3d now so they can see more clearly what’s going on. It is amazing what can be done with science and health care now a days.
It is amazing isn’t it – I can’t wait to see where technology goes in the years to come. x
It is amazing how far we have come. Dentistry is not what it use to be, thankfully 🙂
That is so so sture – it is scary how bad it used to be! x
Technology is advancing so fast in so many areas. I don’t like going to the dentist, but I’m sure advances in technology will continue to make it a much more pleasant experience.
Technology is jumping ahead by leaps and bounds. I can’t believe they’re using 3D printing in dentistry now!
It really is amazing how quickly things change isn’t it. I look forward to seeing what the future holds. x