Technological advancements have been growing exponentially in the last few decades. For example, you can access the Internet from virtually anywhere these days, when a feat like that was practically unfathomable just twenty years ago. While it might seem like the technology that your dentist in Holbrook uses has remained the same for quite some time, dental care continues to evolve at its own pace to make having a healthy mouth much easier. That being said, here are five dental trends that will likely emerge within the next ten years or so.
1. Artificial Intelligence
We’ve recently grown accustomed to robots doing certain human jobs like cashiering, but this practice could soon spread to dentistry. AI will soon be able to perform tasks such as reviewing x-rays and creating aligners with incredible accuracy, which should save dentists time they could spend on other aspects of your care.
2. A Rise in Group Dentistry
With so many different providers and policies, healthcare and dental care in the United States can be extremely chaotic. In the future, dental practices may join forces to provide more standardized systems and affordable services for patients. Local dental chains may even become household names.
3. Increased Hygienist Responsibility
Hygienists help dentists similarly to how nurses assist doctors. Experts are predicting that general supervision laws will become broader, letting hygienists take on more preventive, restorative, and diagnostic care for patients. This will allow the dentists more time to focus on advanced procedures like crowns and dental implants.
4. Streamlined Payment Models
Patients are spending more time online than ever before. The practice of using cash is falling by the wayside, and to some extent, the same can be said for credit cards. In the next decade, online patient portals should become more common, allowing patients to more easily track their dental data and pay in more streamlined ways.
5. Teledentistry
Over the next few years, you can expect dental practices to become more involved in their patients’ digital communities. Dentists will have more opportunities to meet new patients and engage with them often. Dental care will become more integrative, making it easier for patients to schedule appointments and get the right care for their smile.
As technology evolves, life generally gets easier. Dental technology is no exception to this rule. Within the next ten years, it’s safe to assume your dental care will become more integrative, innovative, and efficient.
About the Author
Dr. Teresa Salem is a dentist in Holbrook, MA who obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She recently achieved Diplomate status in the International Dental Implant Association and was also made a Faculty Member. She and the rest of the team at Pearl Dental Associates strive to stay on the cutting edge of dental technology and utilize advanced techniques such as an intraoral camera, digital impression system, and a CB/CT scanner for precise dental implant placement. To learn more about how dental care can be expected to evolve in the coming years, visit Dr. Salem’s website.