New frontiers in Dental Technology: An Overview

The pace of technological advance across science is staggeringly fast. Our ability to translate some of the potential developments in technology into concepts/products/devices that can assist dentists in caring for patients is key to ensuring that both the profession and the people we care for derive full benefit from these new technologies. This overview will focus in four areas: research and how we gather and interpret data to inform health care; the diagnosis and prevention of disease; planning care; and new concepts in terms of achieving desired health outcomes for patients. Some of the technological advances will be in their infancy and others close to or indeed clinical reality. The objective of this overview is to show where we are in terms of the cutting edge of technology and to whet the appetite for things to come.

Ultrasound in Dentistry: Toward a Future of Radiation-Free Imaging

Ultrasonography (US) is a noninvasive, nonionizing, inexpensive, and painless imaging tool proven to be a valuable diagnostic tool in soft tissue assessment that also shows promise for hard tissue evaluation in dentistry. US has been investigated for its capability to identify carious lesions, tooth fractures or cracks, periodontal bony defects, maxillofacial fractures, and more. It has been used as a diagnostic aid in temporomandibular disorders, implant dentistry, and to measure muscle and soft tissue thickness. Unfortunately, the use of US in dentistry is still in its infancy; however, relevant research is promising.

High-Tech Hygiene: Technologies Making a Difference in Oral Care

Technology has greatly influenced all phases of the dental hygiene process of care. Chairside diagnostic tools and self-monitoring devices improve early detection of lesions and previously undetected oral/systemic diseases, facilitate assessment of systemic health status, and support patient engagement in self-care. Collectively, improved patient assessment reduces risks for medical emergencies and promotes patient safety. Technological advances enable better visualization of hard and soft tissues during the assessment phase, aid decision-making with planning and delivery of appropriate oral care interventions, and facilitate evaluation of patient outcomes related to dental hygiene treatment. Additional research is needed to support the benefits of patient-centered technologies designed to affect behavioral change.

Dental technology services and industry trends in New Zealand from 2010 to 2012

OBJECTIVE

To provide a snapshot of the New Zealand dental technology industry and influencing factors.

BACKGROUND

Developing an understanding of the commercial dental laboratory environment in New Zealand can provide insight into the entire dental industry.

METHODS

A web-based survey was the primary method for data collection, with separate questionnaires used for dental laboratory owners and dental technician employees.

RESULTS

The mean net income for dental laboratory owners in New Zealand was similar to that of the United Kingdom, at $40.50 per hour. Clinical dental technicians are the highest paid employees, with a mean of $33.49 per hour. The mean technical charge for complete dentures was $632.59; including clinical services, it was $1907.00. The mean charge for a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown was $290.27. Dental laboratory owners expressed fear about the possibility of losing dental clients to overseas laboratories due to the availability and cheap charge of offshore work. Only 25.4% of dental laboratories surveyed had computer-aided design (CAD) facilities, and even fewer (7.9%) had computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems.

CONCLUSION

Clinical dental technology appears to be prospering. The dental technology industry appears to be adapting and remains viable, despite facing many challenges.

Changes in orthodontic treatment modalities in the past 20 years: exploring the link between technology and scientific evidence

STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE: Is there a link between the many perceived advances in orthodontic techniques/therapy and science in the past 20 years? The purpose of this paper is to take five topics and match the perceptions with the scientific evidence. The variety of appliances and the swings in treatment philosophy have been dramatic, including the swing from extraction to non-extraction therapy, the introduction of space-age wires, appliances that grow mandibles, the introduction and extraordinary growth of Invisalign, and reduced friction brackets to reduce treatment time, all with claims by manufacturers of better results than ever before. The focus is on faster treatment, reduced visits/appointments and superior results. Most of these 'advancements' represent what has been the 'juggernaut of technology'. Five questions are posed, and an evidence-based approach is used to critically examine the literature in these selected topics.

A model for dental practice in the 21st century

The dental profession is responsible for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the oral cavity and related structures. Although the majority of the US population receives excellent oral health care, a significant portion is unable to access regular care. Along with proposals to develop midlevel providers, the scope of practice for dentists needs to be reconceptualized and expanded. A broad number of primary health care activities may be conducted in the dental office, such as screening for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dermatopathology; smoking prevention and cessation activities; and obesity interventions. More than 70% of adults saw a dentist in the past year, which represents an unrealized opportunity to improve both oral health and general health.