Innovations and challenges in dental technology

What innovations and challenges in dental technology do specialists face today?

What innovations and challenges in dental technology do specialists face today? Restorative dental procedures are one of the most common procedures performed in the dental office. Patients need them for a variety of reasons – decayed or lost teeth due to decay, periodontitis, abrasion, or trauma affecting and changing the appearance of their smile and self-esteem. However, not all procedures have the same results.

Innovations and challenges in dental technology: optimizing processes and choosing the right material are some of the challenges that dental technicians are facing. Patients have increasingly high criteria for their appearance. Great importance is given to the “perfect smile”, thus every single detail is important.

Thanks to the innovations in dental technology, dental restorations meet increasingly high aesthetic standards. And the perfect color matching is one of them. To ensure that the prosthesis blends seamlessly with the existing teeth, it is extremely important that the color is matched correctly. In some cases, however, the text description of the color passed between the specialists is not of the necessary accuracy. Furthermore, photographs often distort the image.

Another problem with innovations and challenges in dental technology is that there are sometimes inaccuracies or lost order data in the communication between the dental technician and the dentist. This is why the color initially specified for the product may differ from the actual color of the patient’s teeth. Sometimes, dental technicians even have to examine the patient multiple times just to make an accurate assessment of the color, shape, and structure of the denture. This, in turn, would mean additional time for both parties. The good thing, however, is that as technology advances, new opportunities for dental technicians emerge as well. And all these processes can be simplified with the right methods.

What innovations are there in dental technology?

Technology is increasingly entering our lives, both personally and professionally, and many of the processes that used to be done by hand are now digitized. Thanks to the innovations offered by the rapidly developing world, the work process in the dental laboratory is changing.

The exchange of information between the dental technician and the dentist can be done through software without information being lost, and 3D printing is one of the best innovations in this field. For example, producing dental models takes much less time than years ago. Not only that products such as temporary crowns and dentures require fewer necessary appointments, but costs are significantly reduced as well. The care for the patient is becoming better and more precise. Another thing to mention is that the color of the product can be determined also by software, and the information can be exchanged digitally without being lost.

What types of 3D printers are appearing on the market?

SLA Printers

Printers that use liquid resin work by exposing the resin to a laser beam across the print area and solidifying the resin in certain areas. SLA printers have some of the most accurate and best coatings.

Changing materials is easy and no special skills are required. The combination of a small footprint, easy workflow, and, in most cases, the affordable price makes SLA printers very suitable for dental laboratories.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

Digital light processing works on the same principle as SLA but uses a digital projector as the light source to cure the resin, rather than a laser. DLP printers have a small footprint, a simplified workflow, and a wide range of material options, but they are much more expensive than desktop SLA printers.

Jet application of materials (PolyJet and MultiJet modeling)

3D printers work similarly to inkjet printing, but instead of spraying droplets of ink onto paper, they spray layers of liquid resin onto a build tray and cure them instantly using light. Material jetting technologies were commonly used in the dental industry years ago, but their high cost and large machine size limited their use.

What are the advantages of 3D printing?

3D printing brings with it numerous advantages. One of the main advantages of creating appliances is that it saves valuable dental technician time. It is for this reason that the technology is widely accepted in many laboratories. While it used to take days, today it is quite possible to build a precision product in just a few hours.
Another advantage of 3D printing is that, unlike regular tooth models, the 3D model is much more stable and durable. In addition, these models have a more complex structure and a higher level of detail. An example of this implants.
Furthermore, technology makes it possible to restore various defects – from a single missing tooth to completely edentulous jaws.

The “3D dental implants” method is a virtual operation for inserting dental implants or dentures. That is why 3D modeling is an absolutely safe method of placing implants in patients.
The basis of the planning system is the processing of computer data and the delivery of information regarding the planning of the operation: assessment of the size and quality of bone tissue and selection of places where implants should be installed, taking into account the location of the real teeth. Most importantly, 3D technology eliminates the risk of medical errors during surgery.

The connection between the dental technician and the dentist is extremely important for the dental treatment

Digitization is one of the novelties that the 21st century offers us and which can facilitate the work process. In addition to 3D printers, other digital solutions are emerging, aiming to facilitate and improve work processes. And speeding up the process of choosing the right color for the product is no less important.

AMOSYS is a solution that covers the details of the order and solves the problems of constant refinement of the product. The software is designed to give you an edge by helping you digitize the workflow and manage dental orders. AMOSYS is a specialized software that creates a clear and transparent communication channel between dentists and dental technicians, thanks to which the risk of errors in the transmission of information is reduced. Any miscommunication would missed revenue and lost time.

AMOSYS is the first such software in Bulgaria: “A software for managing dental orders”. Some of the advantages of working with the software for dental laboratories are:

A cloud software, accessible through a browser with secure data storage
Connectivity through online submission of order data from dentists to dental technicians
Tracking the history of the order
An interactive dashboard where all orders are visible in one place
Upload photos, STL files, and videos to each order
Notes and chat with each order
Filters

Challenges can be solved through innovations

Dental technicians face many challenges, but innovations provide better opportunities in the workplace as well. Digital solutions are a good long-term investment, and AMOSYS is software that can help you solve cases, collect and systematize information about each order, and create the most accurate product possible. In addition to technologies such as 3D printing, modern dental technology requires more and more complete digital solutions – be it due to the volume of work, the need for greater precision, or the satisfaction of patient needs. The combination of an old craft with the latest trends is more important than ever.

Sources:

.February 3, 2022; Georgi Tolev; “3D MODELING IN DENTAL PRACTICE”; https://3dbgprint.com/3d-modelirane-pri-dentalnata-praktika/
Formlabs; “How to choose a 3D printer for your dental practice/laboratory”; https://dental.formlabs.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-dental-3d-printer-for-your-dental-practice-or-lab/
January 1, 2022; Benedict O’Neill; “Dental 3D Scanners for Labs: Hardware Selection and Guide”; https://www.aniwaa.com/buyers-guide/3d-scanners/dental-3d-scanners-labs/
Nacera Advanced dental solutions; “Challenges before dental laboratories”; https://www.nacera-medical.com/en/challenges/your-challenges-as-a-dental-laboratory
April 9, 2022; Georgi Tsanev; “Challenges before dental laboratories”; https://www.dentaprime.co.uk/dental-blog/challenges-in-the-dental-laboratory