The fear of the dentist is very common; however, there are a number of technologies in development that will hopefully make the experience a little less daunting. From Invisalign to dental implants, the dental industry has undergone many advancements, and it’s set to progress even further.

One day, we may not be required to sit in an enormous chair, being blinded by a light as someone pokes around our mouths with scary-looking devices. Instead, new technology might replace what we see the dentist as today.

Detailed below are just some of the technologies that will transform the future of dentistry.

Teledentistry

First up is teledentistry, which may remove the need to physically go to the dentist. This could be particularly helpful for those who have a phobia of going to the dentist or those who live nowhere near a dentist.

Moreover, dentistry is incredibly expensive, and teledentistry could help significantly reduce the costs of such. So often, patients go without vital dental care simply because they can’t afford it. This can result in serious health complications that only worsen with time. Therefore, any way in which costs can be minimized is a positive thing.

Virtual Reality in Dentistry

VR has the potential to transform the dental industry for training dentists. Instead of having to practice on real patients with real complications, dentistry students can use VR to practice a number of procedures.

Similarly, going to the dentist is a daunting experience for many. As a result, nervous patients could use VR to transport themselves to a place where they feel comfortable. This could reduce feelings of anxiety, making people more inclined to go to the dentist when they need to.

What’s more, VR could allow dentists to stream procedures to students, allowing them to teach more people in one go.

Augmented Reality in Dentistry

If you’re unfamiliar with what AR is, this is the technology that gets used on Snapchat to superimpose filters on the user’s face. In both the educational and clinical sides of dentistry, AR can be employed. This can be achieved via simulators that allow students to perform procedures on mannequins. With every movement, they’ll receive immediate feedback, which allows them to identify areas of improvement. In fact, this technology is already being used by 8,500 dental students globally.

Similarly, this technology can show patients what they’re set to look like after treatment, allowing them to make more informed decisions about procedures.

Smart Toothbrush

We’re seeing smart devices make their way into every room of the house, and the bathroom is no exception. As a result, the future is sure to see smart toothbrushes become commonplace. A smart toothbrush will be equipped with a sensor, which makes it much easier to carry out good oral hygiene and prevent cavities and plaque.

Smart toothbrushes can also work to encourage kids to brush their teeth by incorporating games into the process. Meanwhile, they can also inform you if you’re brushing incorrectly, such as applying too much or not enough pressure.

Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry

Last but not least, AI could play a significant role in decision-making within dentistry. This is because AI is capable of providing therapeutic and diagnostic suggestions for individual patients, research findings, health data analysis, and more. Personalized care is extremely important in dentistry, and AI is what’s going to make this possible in the long run. In addition to the provision of health data, AI also has the potential to improve how dental conditions are tended to. The only problem is that AI is quite a daunting concept, meaning it’s not yet being readily adopted.