5 emerging trends in dentistry to look out for

The dental care industry never ceases to evolve, bringing forward new methods that not only comfort patients but also make the tasks of dentists easier. This is all thanks to ever-developing technology that has brought about a rapid advancement in the dental industry. Here, we take a closer look at some amazing trends that are set to change the dental care industry for good.

1. Laser technology

This is a promising trend that has taken the dental industry by storm. Lasers are used to treat a range of dental ailments and to eliminate any discomfort during a dental procedure, such as filling cavities, getting rid of tumors and treating tooth sensitivity.

Probably the best part of laser dentistry is that it's fast and effortless both for dentists and patients. The technology is very effective in treating bacteria and improving oral hygiene, too.

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2. Emotional dentistry

One of the biggest positive consequences that has been so far achieved in dentistry is the introduction of emotional dentistry.

With virtual mockups and digital photos, patients can actually envision themselves with their final restorations. This not only boosts the trust of the patients but also makes them emotionally committed to the outcome.

And unlike before, patients now get a chance to try different smiles and choose whatever looks most appealing to them. This is completely opposite to what used to happen traditionally, and this whole procedure is simply life changing.

3. 3D printing

3D printing is set to revolutionize an array of industries, and the dental industry is no exception. Although most 3D printers are still quite expensive and the printing of teeth still seems to be a far-fetched process, there's a possibility that this would be a reality in the near future.

As of now, the 3D printing industry is busy developing resins and other materials that would help in the production of crowns, inlays, replacement teeth and veneers. Let’s not forget that 3D printing can also easily enable the production of retainers and custom aligners.

4. Blockchain

From helping the government to crack down on counterfeit drug markets to facilitating easy access of patient data to healthcare institutes and insurance providers, blockchain is streamlining the healthcare industry one step at a time.

Various startups have geared up to make the most out of this opportunity. For instance, Dentacoin is one such platform that recently introduced various blockchain-based applications (such as a platform for trusted and incentivized reviews; a market research platform; a mobile app for establishing dental care habits) and a cryptocurrency specifically meant for the dental industry. Dentacoin aims to make dental treatment easily available for all strata of society, irrespective of people's financial status. With the Dentacoin Assurance program, patients need to pay their dentists a low monthly fee in the form of Dentacoins (the cryptocurrency issued by the platform) in order to receive lifelong, preventive care.

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5. Artificial intelligence

It goes without saying that dentistry produces an enormous amount of data regularly. From booking appointments to the patient treatment cycle to patient reviews and so on, a large chunk of data is produced daily.

Wherever there's such a huge chunk of data, there's a bright opportunity that this data could be used to gain deeper insight on patient patterns, research papers, routine tasks and more with the help of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence can ease the tasks of dentists around the world by reducing the overall workload, streamlining  processes and helping build stronger dentist-patient relationships.