Dental Technology Trends: The Shape of Things to Come

The Convergence of AI, Robotics, Immersive Tech and Digital Ecosystems Is Forging A New Frontier in Diagnostics, Treatment and Education.

The field of dentistry is undergoing a seismic shift, propelled by cutting-edge innovations that are redefining the boundaries of oral healthcare. After years of anticipation and incremental progress, the year 2024 marks a pivotal moment when the future of dentistry is finally taking shape. Groundbreaking technologies are converging to elevate every aspect of dental practice, from diagnostics and treatment planning to patient experience and education.

At the forefront of this revolution is the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, immersive technologies, and comprehensive digital ecosystems. These advancements are ushering in a new era of precision, efficiency, and patient-centric care, enabling dental professionals to deliver exceptional outcomes while prioritizing comfort, aesthetics, and long-lasting solutions.

One of the most profound impacts is being felt in the realm of diagnostics, where AI-driven algorithms are rapidly advancing to assist dentists in detecting conditions from radiographs with unprecedented accuracy, signaling the dawn of a new era.

AI Is Everywhere

As we forge ahead into 2024, artificial intelligence is poised to redefine the boundaries of dental diagnostics and treatment planning. AI-driven algorithms are rapidly advancing to assist dentists in detecting conditions from radiographs with unparalleled precision.

Pearl’s “Second Opinion” is leading the charge as “the first and only chairside FDA-cleared” AI solution for real-time pathology detection, capable of identifying tooth decay, calculus, and root abscesses in x-rays with an accuracy that surpassed FDA requirements.

But AI’s transformative potential extends far beyond diagnostics. Pioneering technologies like DEXIS’s AI-Powered Implant Ecosystem are revolutionizing implant dentistry by seamlessly integrating advanced CBCT imaging, intraoral scanning, AI diagnostics, and virtual treatment planning. This “groundbreaking AI-powered digital ecosystem” streamlines the entire implant process through features like AI-assisted case setup, automatic tooth numbering, and dynamic surgical navigation with real-time robotic guidance.

As you will no doubt become increasingly aware in the coming months and years, artificial intelligence is far more than just another technological advancement; it represents a fundamental shift, an undergirding force that will permeate every facet of the dental landscape. 

Look behind the technological curtain of any new and emerging dental solution or discovery, and you will find AI at its core – the powerful engine propelling groundbreaking dental applications, comprehensive digital ecosystems, cutting-edge equipment and devices. AI’s real-time “intelligence,” its ability to process and analyze vast datasets, will give rise to novel dental techniques and approaches that were once unimaginable. This “brainware” will be the driving force behind the industry’s transformation, enabling a future of dentistry that is more precise, efficient, and patient-centric than ever before.

Digital Dentistry: Precision, Efficiency, and Patient Satisfaction

The digital revolution has already transformed many aspects of dentistry, and 2024 will witness further adoption of game-changing technologies. Exocad’s DentalCAD 3.1 Rijeka software exemplifies this digital transformation, offering more intuitive workflows from CAD to CAM and innovative features like Instant Anatomic Morphing for accelerated single-unit restoration design.

Imagoworks’ 3Dme Crown AI Cloud software is another pioneering solution, using AI to generate an ideal crown design automatically in less than a minute from the patient’s 3D scan data. This cloud-based marvel promises to “reduce the number of patient visits while increasing patient satisfaction.”

Meanwhile, solutions like SprintRay’s NanoCure are revolutionizing dental materials and manufacturing processes. This compact powerhouse harnesses “cutting-edge resins that work in perfect harmony with NanoCure’s advanced hardware, unlocking a whole new generation of high-performance material chemistry.” The result? Unprecedented strength and aesthetics in 3D printed dental appliances, from crowns and bridges to surgical guides and night guards.

For those interested in setting up an in-house milling operation within the practice, Imagine OPEN Go Digital Mill provides clinics with “a proven digital workflow from intraoral scanning through in-house milled restorations,” enabling same-day crowns, bridges, and custom abutments with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

The Imagine OPEN Go Digital Mill equips dentists with the hardware, software, and training necessary to seamlessly integrate digital technology into their practice. Dentists can now design and produce a myriad of dental restorations, including crowns, bridges, veneers, and custom abutments, all in the comfort of their clinic and within the same day.

What sets the Imagine OPEN Go Digital Mill apart is its commitment to openness and interoperability. By embracing open CAD/CAM technology, it empowers dentists with the flexibility to collaborate seamlessly with other digital systems and laboratories. This interoperability not only enhances workflow efficiency but also expands the range of treatment options available to patients. Whether dentists choose to produce restorations in-house or collaborate with external labs, Imagine OPEN offers a versatile solution tailored to their needs.

The Imagine OPEN ecosystem extends beyond the Go Digital Mill, encompassing a range of complementary packages such as Go Digital Print. These packages enable in-house printing of various dental appliances, further enhancing the clinic’s capabilities and streamlining the treatment process. Imagine OPEN also emphasizes collaboration and support. Dentists embarking on their digital journey can rely on Imagine USA’s expertise and guidance every step of the way.

The integration of Align Technology’s iTero scanning technology further enhances the capabilities of Imagine OPEN, enabling seamless collaboration between intraoral scanning and chairside CAD software. This integration not only streamlines the design process but also ensures optimal outcomes for patients. By harnessing the power of digital technology, dentists can achieve unparalleled precision and accuracy in their restorations, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Immersive Technologies Elevate Patient Experience

Enhancing patient comfort and experience is a prime focus, with groundbreaking technologies being integrated to alleviate anxiety and create a calming treatment environment. The XR Therapy VR app from xCura utilizes immersive virtual reality to “provide a comfortable experience for patients as they undergo treatment” through guided relaxation techniques and narrated training.

Ultradent Products’ Gemini EVO Laser exemplifies the industry’s commitment to minimizing patient discomfort. Boasting dual-wavelength technology and five times more power than its predecessor, this versatile laser promises “faster cutting, less heat and clean incisions in soft tissue” for more efficient and comfortable procedures.

Teledentistry: Bridging Gaps in Access to Quality Care

No thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of dentistry is undergoing a transformative shift, propelled by the integration of telecommunication technology and innovative digital solutions. Teledentistry, a rapidly growing sector, is reshaping the landscape of dental care delivery, promising improved access, convenience, and diagnostic accuracy for patients worldwide.

According to a report by Vantage Market Research, the Global Teledentistry Market is projected to reach a staggering USD 5.03 Billion by 2030, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.2% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. This remarkable growth is fueled by several factors, including advancements in communication technology, the increasing need for accessible dental care, and the growing acceptance of virtual healthcare solutions.

Teledentistry is revolutionizing the way dental services are delivered, offering a spectrum of remote care options, from virtual consultations and treatment planning to monitoring and follow-up care. Notable players in the market, such as MouthWatch LLC, Denteractive Solutions Inc., and Virtudent Inc., are at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance patient experiences and outcomes.

Elevating Teledentistry with AI and Machine-Learning

One of the emerging trends in teledentistry is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to elevate diagnostic precision and personalized oral health recommendations. In a groundbreaking partnership announced for the first quarter of 2023, Dentulu, a leading teledentistry network company, has joined forces with Pearl, an AI firm specializing in dental radiology. By incorporating Pearl’s Second Opinion AI software, the alliance aims to improve the diagnostic accuracy of Dentulu’s teledentists, enabling them to provide more precise and reliable assessments for patients utilizing the platform.

“Dentulu’s mission to provide transparent, innovative, and comprehensive care to our patients aligns with Pearl’s ongoing advancements and contributions within the dental industry, and we are proud to offer this technology to the thousands of patients and providers that utilize our platform across the nation,” said Dr. Arash Hakhamian, CEO of Dentulu.

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in democratizing access to high-quality dental care, as Ophir Tanz, Pearl CEO and founder, emphasizes: “AI is a transformative dental technology not only because it elevates the standard of care, but also because it has the potential to democratize access to higher quality dentistry.”

The Netflix of Dentistry is Upon Us: Virtual On-Demand Patient Care

Teledentistry is not only enhancing diagnostic capabilities but also addressing the challenges of staffing shortages, access limitations, and the need for improved whole-patient outcomes. Solutions like Dentistry.One, introduced by MouthWatch, LLC, offer a comprehensive virtual-first approach to oral healthcare, featuring a nationwide network of on-demand dentists and a dedicated team of Care Advisors for personalized care coordination and oral health coaching.

As the adoption of teledentistry continues to grow, particularly in regions like North America, which accounted for over 30% of revenue share in 2021, patients can expect greater convenience, efficiency, and accessibility in obtaining dental care. However, the industry must navigate challenges related to patient data security, regulatory uncertainties, and limitations in performing certain procedures remotely.

Nonetheless, the future of teledentistry holds immense promise, presenting opportunities for increased awareness of oral health, convenient remote consultations, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for enhanced patient engagement. As the dental industry embraces this technological revolution, teledentistry is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping the way we perceive and receive dental care, ultimately improving oral health outcomes globally.

Orthodontics and Restorative Solutions

Orthodontics has undergone remarkable advancements in recent years, transforming the way dental professionals approach tooth alignment and occlusion. As the field continues to evolve, new techniques and technologies are emerging, promising greater efficiency, comfort, and predictability for patients seeking orthodontic treatment.

Cosmetic dentistry remains a driving force for many Asian dental practices. In turn, it has spurred interest and advancements in the teeth straightening business. Brius Technologies’ Brava AI Orthodontic Solution is part of this innovative trend, featuring “Independent Mover technology” that allows for independent and simultaneous tooth movement, promising faster treatment times and a beautiful, customized smile tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Systems like Brava by Brius leverage advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to move teeth gradually. These independent movers differ from traditional methods in several ways, including increased comfort, potential for faster treatment times, and reduced in-office visits, allowing for remote progress monitoring.

The future of orthodontics is undoubtedly promising, with innovations like independent movers, accelerated orthodontics, and digital integration paving the way for more efficient, comfortable, and predictable treatments. As the field continues to progress, dental professionals must embrace these advancements, ensuring they remain at the forefront of delivering exceptional care to their patients.

More established solutions like Align Technology’s Invisalign clear aligners continue to gain popularity, offering a discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces.

More recently, Invisalign introduced their game-changing Outcome Simulator Pro. This cutting-edge technology allows dentists to offer a tantalizing glimpse into each patient’s future smile, unleashing the full potential of Invisalign treatment like never before. Harnessing the power of in-face visualization and 3D dental imaging, the Simulator Pro delivers a personalized preview of how a patient’s smile will transform after Invisalign. And the best part? This entire process happens chairside in mere minutes, thanks to seamless integration with iTero Element Plus scanners.

Dr. Johnathan Fitzpatrick, a renowned aesthetic dentist from Glasgow, couldn’t stop raving about the Simulator Pro’s impact. “The in-face visualizations have been a total game-changer for case acceptance,” he enthuses. He recounts the story of a patient who, after a routine hygiene visit, was so captivated by their simulated future smile that they opted for Invisalign treatment on the spot.

The Simulator Pro doesn’t just dazzle patients – it streamlines the entire consultation workflow. Dentists can capture photos via the Invisalign Practice App, scan with iTero, and let the simulator work its magic behind the scenes while continuing the consultation using other iTero tools.

Robotic Guidance Redefines Surgical Precision

The realm of dentistry stands at the precipice of transformative change, propelled by the rapid integration of robotics technology into clinical practice. As a recent comprehensive study from researchers at Tokushima University in Japan reveals, “the application of robotics in dentistry has been explored, which has the potential to break through the previous oral diagnosis and treatment models, promoting a new avenue of technological innovation.”

This groundbreaking research, conducted by Lipei Liu, Megumi Watanabe, and Tetsuo Ichikawa from the university’s Department of Prosthodontics and Oral Rehabilitation, provides an illuminating overview of the burgeoning field of dental robotics. Their findings unveil Asia’s pioneering role in propelling this technological frontier forward.

The data highlights that China published the highest number of articles delving into dental robotics between 2011-2015, the period witnessing the largest concentration of research publications on the topic. As the study states, “China published the most articles on the topic, followed by Japan and the United States.” This innovative zeal from Asian nations has catalyzed the development of cutting-edge robotic systems adept at diverse dental procedures.

The study notes that “automatic tooth-crown-preparation robots, tooth-alignment robots, drilling robots, and orthodontic archwire-bending robots that meet clinical requirements have been developed.” These robotic solutions introduce unprecedented precision, minimizing invasiveness while optimizing intelligent diagnostic and treatment pathways.

The Dawn of Robot-Assisted Dental Implantology 

One area where robotic dentistry has made particularly astonishing strides is in implantation procedures. A groundbreaking clinical study by the esteemed implant dentist Dr. Jay Neugarten revealed that “implants deviated from their planned angulation and depth by less than 1.5 degrees and 0.2 mm, respectively” when placed using robotic guidance.

As Neugarten emphatically stated, “This level of precision far surpasses that of other implant surgery methods, including static guides and freehand placement.” He underscored the profound implications, expressing his “conviction that technologies delivering such exactness should be seriously considered by clinicians.”

The robotic system enabling these unmatched implantation capabilities is Yomi, developed by the Miami-based startup Neocis. Alon Mozes, Neocis’ CEO, hailed Neugarten’s findings as “confirmation of Yomi’s unmatched accuracy and precision,” asserting that “this data solidifies Yomi as the new standard of care in dental implant surgery.”

Yomi further exemplifies robotic dentistry’s Asian roots – the pioneering research underpinning its core technologies originated from universities like Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Meijo University in Japan.

Propelled by recent funding from investors like NVIDIA and Mirae Asset Financial Group, Neocis continues pushing boundaries. Their latest innovation is an FDA-cleared bone reduction feature enabling robotic-guided alveoloplasty. Periodontist Dr. Sanju Jose, among the first to deploy this technology, enthused “Yomi takes bone reduction to the next level…this is amazing.”

Still Needed: Human Dentists

However, as the Japanese study emphasizes, robotic systems are not intended to supersede human dentists entirely. Rather, “the operation process requires dentists to set the program and input the corresponding data on the basis of early judgment before the robot can complete the steps.” Moreover, “dentists are also required to monitor the process in real time” to manage complexities robots cannot yet resolve independently.

The researchers aptly conclude that “the application of robots in dental treatment has the potential to change the existing dental treatment model and guide new directions for further development.” This new treatment paradigm fuses the best of human expertise with robotic precision – enhancing diagnostic capabilities, interventional accuracies, and treatment outcomes.

As dental robotics soars to new heights, Asian nations have assumed a pioneering mantle. The innovative zeal across China, Japan, and the wider region is revolutionizing clinical capabilities. Dental professionals worldwide must strategically evolve to harmonize human mastery with the transformative possibilities robotics offers.

Those proactively embracing dental robots can deliver a new echelon of accurate, efficient, minimally invasive care. Conversely, those resisting innovation may struggle to remain contemporaneous as patient expectations and care standards rapidly evolve.

Streamlined Digital Ecosystems for Modern Practices

As dental practices continue to embrace digital transformation, comprehensive digital ecosystems are emerging to streamline workflows and enhance collaboration. The Imagine OPEN Go Digital Mill from Imagine USA is a prime example, providing “dental clinics with a proven digital workflow from intraoral scanning through in-house milled restorations.”

This open-technology solution enables clinics to design and produce same-day crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, provisionals, and custom abutments entirely in-house. Moreover, its seamless integration with Align Technology’s iTero scanning technology ensures a smooth digital experience from impression to final restoration, fostering a truly connected and efficient clinical environment.

Intraoral scanning is a crucial component of digital dentistry, and manufacturers are continually refining these technologies for improved accuracy and efficiency. Weiyun AI & Robotics Group’s AI Smile intraoral scanner, winner of Germany’s Red Dot Design Award, exemplifies this pursuit of excellence. This cutting-edge device can purportedly carry out precise (10um) point cloud grid imaging in just two minutes, generating an orthodontic AI simulation solution in 10 minutes with access to a global database of millions of cases.

Planmeca’s Emerald™ S intraoral scanner is another notable innovation, boasting high-speed scanning capabilities and seamless integration with the company’s comprehensive range of dental imaging and CAD/CAM solutions. This scanner is designed to streamline the entire digital workflow, from initial impression to final restoration, enabling clinicians to provide efficient, high-quality care.

Booming Market with Exponential Growth

The global intraoral scanners market is experiencing remarkable growth, reflecting the increasing adoption of these cutting-edge technologies across various dental settings. According to a recent report by Allied Market Research, the market is projected to soar from $382.52 million in 2020 to an impressive $875.60 million by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.6% from 2021 to 2030.

The intraoral scanners market is segmented based on brand, end-user, and region, providing valuable insights into market dynamics. Leading brands such as iTero, 3M ESPE Lava COS, CEREC, and TRIOS are driving innovation and setting new standards in dental technology. The widespread adoption of intraoral scanners across hospitals, dental clinics, and other healthcare facilities underscores their versatility and impact on patient care.

Transforming Dental Education and Training

The integration of immersive technologies is not only enhancing patient experiences but also revolutionizing dental education and training. Virtual and augmented reality solutions are enabling more realistic and engaging learning environments, better preparing future dental professionals for real-world scenarios.

Furthermore, advanced 3D printing technologies are transforming the way dental models and educational aids are produced, offering unprecedented accuracy and customization. Companies like EnvisionTEC are pioneering advanced 3D printing solutions tailored specifically for dental education, enabling institutions to produce highly detailed and lifelike models for hands-on training and skill development.

As the industry continues to evolve, these innovative training methods will play a crucial role in ensuring that dental professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge to leverage the latest technologies effectively, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and the overall quality of care.

Looking ahead, the dental industry is poised to reach new heights of innovation, efficiency, and patient-centric care. By embracing these advancements, dental professionals can deliver exceptional care, improved outcomes, and a truly remarkable patient experience that prioritizes comfort, aesthetics, and long-lasting oral health solutions.

References

• Liu, L., Watanabe, M., & Ichikawa, T. (2023). Robotics in Dentistry: A Narrative review. Dentistry Journal, 11(3), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj11030062
• Vantage Market Research,https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/. (2024, January 8). Teledentistry Market – Global Industry Assessment & Forecast. Vantage Market Research. https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/teledentistry-market-2376
• Allied Market Research, https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/. (n.d.). Intraoral scanners market predicted to hit $8.75 million by 2030. Allied Market Research, https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/, All Right Reserved 2024. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/intraoral-scanners-market.html