Future of Dentistry
In 2022, a tooth was discovered from a mysterious early human relative, the smallest snail species was discovered, we also found Africa’s oldest dinosaur fossil, and learned that jumping spiders could dream. Scientists learned of a spectacular prehistoric rainforest in a now polar region, revealed certain stretches of the universe, and saw evidence of the existence, still, of a presumed extinct Roman-era miracle plant.
Okay — so what is going on in the dental world and what can we expect in the future?
This year saw dramatic advances in the ability to image head and neck features with cone beam computed tomography or CT scans using less radiation than two individual dental x-rays. This scan will allow a 3D image to be generated where your dentist can view not only your teeth, but the jaw bones, the bones the face and airway, cervical spine and more.
What can the dentist learn from a 3D scan?
These images allow your doctor to accurately diagnosis lesions found in the jaw to determine if they are tooth related or independent of teeth and what structures are affected. This is possible by viewing lesions from multiple view points. The software allows the doctor to trim scans to literally view the inside marrow space of a patients jaw.
Calcifications in arteries of the head and neck are easily visible in a CT scan. Over the age of 40, 50% of people have calcifications in their arteries called plaques. These plaques build up in arteries and can cause an increase in blood pressure and a hardening of the arteries that can cause them to burst in times of high cardiac load. These calcifications can break away from inside of the blood vessels and travel to other locations where they get lodged in smaller vessels and block blood flow. These break away plaques can dramatically lead to ischemic heart disease or stroke.
From scanning of the bones of the face to scanning of teeth. Digital intra oral scanners allow your doctor to scan the teeth using a computer and a wand based camera. This digital scan replaces the messy puddy impressions of the past. The scan immediately is displayed on a monitor and allows the doctor, using software provided, to do a variety of things, such as evaluate your bite, order clear aligners or design a night guard.
By taking scans over time, wear on teeth can actually be measured and observed assisting in diagnosing the cause of wear and predicting the trajectory of breakdown.
Digital scans also help in designing smiles. The scans allow for easy measurement and with overlays of photographs and CT images, the blueprint of a new smile can be virtually viewed in the software.