The history of dentistry can be traced right back to the Indus Valley Civilization in 700 BC. Since then Dentistry has made significant progress from using beeswax as dental filling material to using gold fillings for cavities. Every innovation in the medical sector is the byproduct of modern technology. Today the oral health industry looks very different than what he future holds. Let’s look at what the coming years have in-store in regard to innovation in dental treatments:
The use of Augmented Reality and virtual reality
Augmented reality is already being used by medical students to demonstrate and compare their dental models. Using VR goggles students can be virtually present during operation, helping them learn better. In a couple of years, the use of Augment and Virtual reality will revolutionize dental teaching and learning, thereby generating highly efficient and skilled dentists.
Computer-assisted design and 3D-printing
3D printing is not a new thing and has been the talk of the industry for quite some time now. In dentistry, it can be used to print tooth crowns, dentures, porcelain teeth, etc in the future. Computer-assisted design (CAD) and Computer-assisted manufacture (CAM) are used for this purpose.
Dental Regeneration
Stem cell technology has been researched upon but we still do not know the extent of its impact. One research claims that mesenchymal stem cells can form teeth in a controlled laboratory environment. Researchers from Harvard and the University of Nottingham claim to have developed fillings that help teeth heal themselves. Dental innovations in the future looks like its eliminating root canals!
Intra-oral camera
One of the reasons going to the dentist was a nightmare is because we never really knew what the dentist was poking around with. With intraoral cameras can change this. The liquid lens of the camera functions like a human eye that captures high quality and detailed images that patients can see and understand. This also helps doctors get a clear picture of what is going on inside the patient’s mouth
Teledentistry
Teledentistry refers to the dissemination of oral health services through electronic and telecommunication technologies. In India, a majority of the rural areas have no access to proper doctors, let alone dentists. It is a challenge for differently-abled people, children, the elderly and extremely busy employees to visit a dentist. With teledentistry, this problem can be solved in a cheaper and systematic manner.
CRISPR
CRISPR is a technology that can edit genes. So, what if the genes responsible for oral health problems could be pinpointed? The start of every treatment is identifying the cause of the problem. CRISPR would allow the revision of the faulty genes causing specific oral pathologies.
With these technologies in action, the oral health sector sees revolutionary changes in the future. This also includes wide-ranging options to a larger bunch of people at a cheaper cost and better efficiency.
