Trending in 2023: What’s New in the Dental Device Industry
Dentistry has come a long way from its humble beginnings over 13,000 years ago. Imagine your dentist using stone tools to repair your front teeth, filling the cavities with bitumen — a tar-like substance with antiseptic properties but still a far cry from the dental fillings used today. In a market valued at over $5 million, experts predict the dental device industry will expand at over 12% YOY for the next seven years.
As we look ahead to 2023, here are some of the top trends anticipated to revolutionize the dental industry.
Artificial Intelligence
The medical industry has used AI for many years — and dentistry has recognized the technology’s value, too. For example, it’s used in diagnostic imaging to find malignant lesions. Inpatient and records management also benefit from AI. We may soon see robots performing minimally invasive procedures like teeth cleaning and extractions. One study investigating various uses of robotic systems in dentistry suggests that it will be a while before robots are cost-effective and technologically advanced enough to fully incorporate into the dental market — but the time is coming.
Dental Radiology Equipment
The most important step in identifying a potential dental problem (or verifying all is well), is an oral examination. But a quick visual check doesn’t go deep enough and can’t see beyond visible concerns like crumbling crowns or flaking fillings. Dental radiography is a critical tool — and as it has evolved, newer high-quality radiographic materials help dentists to more effectively examine all parts of their patients’ mouths by generating high-quality images.
Digital dentistry, including digital x-rays, 3D imaging, and CAD/CAM dentistry will become even more widespread in 2023 and beyond.
Dental 3D Technology
Thanks to 3D printers, the cost of producing tooth replacements, crowns and custom aligners has decreased — and the process become much easier. Other use cases for 3D printers include the creation of surgical tools like the drill guides that dental procedures need.
Currently, there are two 3D printing technologies used by dental and orthodontic practices and labs: digital light processing (DLP) and stereolithography (SLA). The first SLA printers appeared on the market over 30 years ago, and the market has seen tremendous leaps in innovation just in the past two years. Expect the technology to continue evolving as restorative dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and others explore uses for 3D printing, an industry expected to reach
Digital Impressions
A more recent technology, digital impressions help dentists create a model of their patients’ mouths, including soft and hard tissues. These models are more accurate and allow labs to make crowns and bridges more accurately — and quickly. Another great use case for digital impressions? Dental classrooms — where students who don’t (or can’t) learn on live patients.
Laser Technology
Since the early 1990s, dentists have sued lasers to treat gum disease and tooth decay — and even whiten teeth. Lasers offer versatility for applications in both hard and soft tissue procedures while also shortening recovery time. With their use, patients:
- Lose less blood
- Require sutures less frequently
- Have a lower risk of bacterial infections because lasers naturally sterilize areas they treat
- Need less post-treatment medication and antibiotics
- Heal more quickly
Using lasers to clean teeth and restore gum health minimizes risks of more serious oral health issues — like oral cancer — and increases the likelihood that patients can keep their own teeth as they grow older.
Natural Dental Products
The healthcare industry, including dentistry, has also embraced the trend to go green. Many brands offer natural dental products, including charcoal toothpaste and supplements designed to strengthen teeth or reduce gum disease.
Teledentistry
When the world shut down in 2020 and forced industries to pivot to virtual platforms, healthcare and dentistry embraced telemedicine. Unless patients need their biannual teeth cleaning or another procedure that a dentist must perform in person, teledentistry remains a viable option. This solution also increases the reach of dentistry in commonly underserved, rural areas. It’s a helpful alternative for people to receive quality medical care when they lack transportation, aren’t able to leave their homes, or live in areas lacking sufficient dental practices.
The dental industry’s focus on improving patient health in cost-effective, efficient ways will drive more advances in dental technology. AI and robotics, accelerated use of software as a medical service (SaMD), increased use of remote treatment via teledentistry, and immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) only scratch the surface of trends we can expect to continue in 2023 and beyond.