Technology has revolutionized orthodontics. It has increased practice efficiency and made treatment more affordable for patients.
One of the most interesting futuristic trends in orthodontics is the use of intraoral scanners. This modern trend helps orthodontists create a digital impression of the patient’s mouth, which leads to fewer fitting issues and faster treatment time.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A recent trend in orthodontics is integrating AI into diagnostic and treatment planning processes. The technology has shown promising results in tasks like segmentation of anatomical or pathological structures in images, identification of reference points and assisted decision-making. While AI cannot replace human expertise, it can help in enhancing the quality of clinical orthodontic practice.
In the future, AI will likely become an integral part of the orthodontic industry. It has the potential to reduce diagnosis time, improve patient acceptance rates and increase aligner quality at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, it can help orthodontists streamline their daily work by automating many of the more tedious and time-consuming tasks.
However, there are several ethical considerations and challenges that must be addressed before AI can be fully integrated into the orthodontic industry. One important issue is data privacy and security. As AI systems collect and analyze large amounts of data, it’s critical to ensure that the information is secure. This includes establishing clear accountability mechanisms in the event of errors or malfunctions. In addition, it’s vital to promote the use of AI in conjunction with human oversight and judgment. This will ensure that the best outcomes for patients are achieved.
2. 3D Scanners
Using intraoral scanners to scan dental models reduces the need for plaster molds, and it also eliminates the messy impression process. This technology is very accurate and can show the details of teeth and mouth, including muscles, nerves, infections and other conditions. Moreover, these 3D models can be printed in a variety of colors and materials to help the patients understand their treatment plan.
These scanners use structured light to capture multiple images of an object, which is then merged into a digital 3D model. Moreover, these devices are more patient-friendly and require less time to complete a scan than traditional alginate or polyvinyl siloxane impressions. They also produce precise fitting restorations.
This technology can also be used to create surgical guides for implant procedures. These guides reduce the duration of surgery and minimize the risk of complications. Moreover, these 3D scanned models can be easily converted into a physical product by the use of additive manufacturing technology (AM). This can be a huge benefit for orthodontic patients who are concerned with the aesthetics of their new smile. This futuristic technology can also be used to design custom dentures and aligners for patients. This will improve communication between patients and orthodontists and lead to a better result.
3. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that immerses the user in a digital environment. It can be used for education, entertainment and other purposes. It has applications in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, retail and even aviation.
The technology is gaining popularity in orthodontics as it offers a number of benefits. It helps reduce treatment times and improves patient experience. It also allows orthodontists to visualize the treatment results and make informed decisions. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for traditional dental impressions and increases accuracy.
Despite its benefits, there are some concerns about digital orthodontics. Some patients and professionals worry about data security, radiation exposure, and reduced personal interaction. However, digital systems have stringent privacy protocols and regular software updates. This minimizes the risks and ensures a smooth operation.
Some studies have evaluated the use of VR in orthodontic education. One study found that a VR simulator significantly improved students’ skills in porcelain fused to metal crown preparation. Another study found that VR is a useful tool for teaching the treatment of edentulous patients. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of the VR system depends on the presence of a training instructor.
4. Personalized Treatment
Personalized treatment is one of the most important future dental trends. It enables doctors to deliver a customized orthodontic treatment plan to each patient, which leads to better outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. This is accomplished by combining advances in technology with biomedical and clinical research to develop new solutions for precision orthodontics.
Unlike generic treatment plans, which are often based on averages, personalized orthodontic treatments account for each patient’s unique dental characteristics and lifestyle goals. This results in shorter treatment times and higher levels of patient satisfaction, which can lead to improved adherence to treatment recommendations.
Furthermore, personalized treatment can also help orthodontists reduce costs by using technology to automate some of their processes. This includes the use of 3D scanners and printers to create custom orthodontic appliances, as well as the use of tools such as Propel and AcceleDent to stimulate bone growth and speed up tooth movement.
In addition to improving treatment efficiency, individualized care can also reduce or even eliminate the need for costly follow-up appointments. This is because a patient can be monitored and receive advice from an orthodontist without having to come in for an in-person appointment. This is known as tele-orthodontics and has become a popular option during the Covid-19 pandemic.
5. Tele-Orthodontics
In addition to traditional tools, digital tele-orthodontics platforms facilitate remote monitoring of orthodontic patients and can increase access for those with limited mobility. For example, Dental Monitoring Technology (DMTM) is a smartphone app that allows users to record an interoral movie that is transformed into a scan so orthodontists can monitor treatment progress from anywhere in the world. In this way, orthodontists can spot problems like broken ligatures and debonded brackets in real time.
Patients are receptive to tele-orthodontics and have reported high levels of satisfaction with their virtual appointments. However, there are a few concerns that should be considered before adopting this practice. For one, tele-orthodontics may reduce the personal touch of in-person appointments and may result in reduced patient-orthodontist communication. Additionally, tele-orthodontics involves the transmission of sensitive data such as photographic/radiographic records and anatomical digital files through internet-based telecommunication systems. This raises issues regarding the protection of patients’ privacy and the violability of their healthcare information.
Orthodontists should discuss with web developers about the possibility of offering HIPAA-compliant chat features on their websites. In addition to enhancing communication between orthodontists and patients, these chats can help identify individuals who are at risk of developing malocclusions or need urgent treatment.
6. Digital Dentistry
The digital revolution in dentistry is expanding and creating new opportunities for orthodontics to become even more patient-centric. From digital impressions to 3D printing, orthodontic technology is enabling practices to offer more advanced services.
Digital technology has already replaced traditional putty impressions with intraoral scanners to capture more detailed and accurate images of a patient’s oral structures. This allows for computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software solutions to produce dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and splints. Additionally, CAD/CAM systems can be used to plan implant placement using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and digital facial models.
In addition to the benefits for patients, digital workflows are also allowing for increased efficiency and productivity in laboratory settings. The latest professional scanners and 3D printers are designed to run 24/7, reducing hands-on work and increasing overall lab productivity. These digital tools are also more cost-effective than their analog counterparts.
Similarly, digital orthodontics streamlines the treatment process, reducing office visits and turnaround time for patients. With the availability of affordable, desktop 3D printers, orthodontists can start small and scale up their capabilities as demand grows.
7. 3D Printing
3D printing is one of the most advanced technologies in the world and has many applications in orthodontics. For example, it can be used to make models that are then used for making braces and other appliances. This technology reduces the amount of time that orthodontists spend on making impressions and also allows them to use more comfortable materials for patients.
Another exciting application of 3D printing is the ability to produce individualized archwires. This is a big improvement over the traditional process of manually bending wires, which can be uncomfortable for patients. It also helps orthodontists create more precise wires, which can result in better treatment and a faster final result.
Intraoral scanners have also revolutionized the way that orthodontists take impressions, allowing them to eliminate the uncomfortable and messy experience of taking traditional alginate impressions. They can also be used to create a digital impression, which is much more accurate than a traditional plaster model. This technology also eliminates storage issues and streamlines the entire process. In addition, it can help orthodontists produce more customized appliances and provide better patient care. This will ultimately lead to lower treatment costs and make orthodontics more accessible to the average person.