Image of a neon hologram tooth. Medicine concept, new technologies, oral care, dental prosthetics, copy space

Poor dental attendance can have serious repercussions for our oral health, including poor quality of life because of health-related issues. Unfortunately, studies have shown that approximately 36% of the population suffers from dental anxiety, and 12% experience extreme dental fear.

Besides a fear of having someone poke around in our mouths with various tools, the cost and time required to visit the dentist are also contributing factors. Advancements in dentistry are making dental visits quicker and less painful. Additionally, dental treatments are becoming more reliable, and several new technologies have impacted how efficiently patients can be treated by dental professionals.

Every facet of dentistry has seen transformative developments resulting from tech trends. Considering that for a large part of the population, visiting the dentist is a daunting experience, dentistry's evolution is making it easier for more of us to access dental health from a distance, especially when we want to improve our smiles.

Most Recent Tech Trends

Dentistry has become extremely competitive and client convenience is the area where the most emphasis has been placed. Recent trends meet our desire to avoid contact, consider our limited time, financial concerns, and consider our convenience. These are some of the most interesting tech trends influencing the dental industry right now:

Smart Tech and The Humble Toothbrush

Smart devices have invaded all our homes, and the bathroom is no exception. Scientists are working on the idea of a smart toothbrush that will do more than monitor tooth brushing habits.

A smart toothbrush will ensure we brush our teeth correctly and offer incentives to ensure no one misses out on the most important daily dental task.

At-Home Teeth straightening

One of the most positive influences of tech trends in the dental industry is the ability of millions of people to improve their smiles at a fraction of the cost and convenience. Straightening our teeth now no longer requires unsightly braces, especially for teenagers and adults.

This evolution is thanks to at-home clear aligners that are similar to Invisalign, but quicker, more convenient, and much cheaper. Several popular companies provide consumers with at-home teeth aligner solutions, including Byte and Smile Direct. These treatments are not only cheaper and more convenient than those offered at dental offices, but are also faster, with completion times ranging between 3 and 10 months. For those that don't want to wear clear aligners during the day, nighttime treatment options are also available.

This comparison by Clear Aligner Hub, the company that provides practical guidance, makes it easier to choose the best at-home teeth straightening treatment according to every person's individual needs.

Digital Technology For Faster Dentures

Precision and fitting times were two concerns that have plagued denture wearers in the past. Advanced software has now made this a quick process because of computer-aided design and manufacturing. With just a few steps, a person can have a new pair of dentures that are also comfortable.

Applications of Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is not just for gaming, this is a technology that is greatly influencing the dental industry right now. Besides its uses for professors to introduce coursework and procedures to students remotely, it has several possibilities for other dental applications.

Intra-Oral Dental Camera and Comfort

Sitting with our mouths wide open as we wait for our dentist to get a closer look at one of our teeth is now a thing of the past. This is thanks to the intra-oral camera placed on a mirror. As the dentist looks into our mouth, the camera projects the images on a screen, and the dentist can save them for future reference.

Final Take

Now, more than ever before, people have access to dental care, whether they are scared of the dentists, live in a remote area, or have a disability preventing them from getting about. This is thanks to technology that allows remote dentistry, or as its otherwise known, teledentistry.

Being able to offer dental services over the internet, whether it's just an annual check-up or checking on the clear aligner treatment, teledentistry has brought the much-needed services of dentists into all our homes. From afar, they can capture images, take notes and send information to other specialists. These innovations are set to continue, meeting even more needs of dental patient care.