Innovations in oral health are undergoing surprising developments thanks to modern technology. By incorporating advanced technological tools into their procedures, dentists are striving to provide enhanced and accurate diagnostics and treatment by minimizing patient risk and post-treatment issues. As the technologies are evolving at an incredible pace—from digital scans to virtual dental appointments—the future of the dental industry is promising.
One of the trending technologies in the current dental industry is a smart toothbrush with a built-in sensor that monitors a user's tooth brushing habits. It transmits real-time information to a companion app and guides the user with practical oral hygiene tips. Dentists are also employing scanners to take digital images of their patient's mouths and analyze them using augmented reality (AR). This digital copy is then recreated as a physical model using 3D printing to develop accurate dentures and crowns for patients. In addition, laser technology is witnessing a boom in adoption as more and more dentists use it for teeth whitening, lesions and decay removal, and eliminating bacterial growth in the root canal. Laser treatment has the edge over conventional means thanks to its ability to minimize the need for anesthesia and discomfort during the procedure. Artificial intelligence (AI) coupled with machine learning (ML) is also witnessing skyrocketing dental applications, helping dentists process large datasets to identify crucial patterns, facilitate the optimized categorization of "at-risk" patients, and deliver personalized care.
Standing at the cusp of such drastic transitions, a wide range of solution providers are offering the latest technological trends best suited to meet the demands of the upcoming dental needs. This edition of Healthcare Tech Outlook presents some of the most promising dental solution providers. The edition features thought leadership articles from Franklin Segura, Vice President of Managed Care, Centers Health Care, Niklas Best, Director of Head of Digital Products EMEA at Fresenius Medical Care, and Ann Blanchard, Director of Patient Access and Care at Nebraska Medicine. The edition also showcases innovative solutions from companies, including Wellfit, which focuses on treatment acceptance and provides transparency to help improve patient trust and retention. Other prominent solution providers include Opulent Digital Specialists, which provides CAD/CAM services, and TBS Dental, a leading company that offers premium dentistry surgical kits.