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What Will the Future of Dentistry Look Like?

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Dentistry

Although most people don’t seem to enjoy going to the dentist, it is impossible to dispute the importance of regular checkups and needed dental work. Luckily for those of us who might have a cavity or two, or perhaps a lot worse, the future of dentistry is bright, exciting, and, honestly, a bit like science fiction.

Dental Implants

Although somewhat pricey when compared to alternatives, implants have been catching on in popularity. Celebrities have been known to get a full set in order to improve their smile, but the real advantage is for people who have had dental problems in the past and need something more formidable and advantageous than a root canal, bridge, or other option. Implants are quite strong and can be done for either one tooth or your entire set of teeth if needed or desired.

Nano-dentistry

To many people, nanotechnology has been reserved for science fiction stories about tiny robots that take over a person’s body, or some variation of that. In reality, however, nanotechnology is already being used in a wide variety of medical applications. In the world of dentistry, there are a number of applications for nanorobots. They can be used as a way to “command” sensitivity in a certain area to stop so that the dentist can drill without the need for anesthesia, cure a person’s hypersensitivity, or be used as an ingredient in mouthwash or toothpaste to more effectively clean teeth.

Regenerative Treatments

Don’t get too excited about this one quite yet. Although many dental professionals are looking forward to the possibility of regenerative treatments, the first uses are several years off, if not decades. The general idea is to replace dead tissue within the teeth with regenerative tissue. For example, a dead pulp canal could be replaced with one that would not only regenerate but would continue to develop over time. In essence, this process could stop many of the current treatments where dentists replace dead tissue with cement, titanium, resins, and a whole slew of other materials.

Digital X-Rays

Another advancement within the field of dentistry is in the form of x-rays. For years, we’ve been accustomed to standard x-rays, but they definitely have their disadvantages. X-rays can tell the dentist quite a bit about the current state of a person’s teeth, but they’re not perfect. Digital x-rays, on the other hand, offer a clearer picture due to the superior images that are produced. Even better, these images can be artificially enhanced, offering a better view.

Whereas many people think current technology is the “end all, be all” of what can be accomplished in the world of dentistry. These developing technologies are showing that dental implants are just the beginning of even greater technologies.