Technological innovation is constantly underway, and some of the tools that revolutionize medical care come from unexpected places. Every year we see innovation happening faster, impacting every facet of our lives, from how we communicate, how we learn, and how we receive medical treatment. Innovations in dental technology have created new ways to educate our dentists, explore the inner oral structures, and even take care of our daily oral hygiene routine. One of the most meaningful recent inclusions is augmented reality, and it’s changing everything.
Innovations in digital entertainment often drive new medical technology and surgical techniques.
How Augmented Reality Is Changing Dentistry
Over the past twenty or so years, we’ve been witnessing the digital world overlapping the physical one more and more. What was once a concept solely for the realm of science fiction has become a commonplace part of our day to day lives. Augmented reality, a term describing the intertwining of the real world and the virtual, originally rose to popularity as part of mobile apps. Since then, it has migrated into a growing number of industries, including the medical industry and dental care. Following are just a minor selection of the ways it’s changing how we care for our teeth.
- Dental Education – AR has become an increasingly important part of training new medical professionals, including dentists. From training through virtual procedures to exploring the possibility of new techniques, our dentists are entering the industry with greater practical experience than ever.
- Teaching Good Dental Habits – Another place that AR is making a splash is in how we are educating our children about taking care of their oral health every day. This has proven to have measurable effects on the long-term health of patients who utilize this technology. Interactive video games make learning how to care for our teeth more engaging, even for young children. Certain products even track your child’s habits and guide them on proper technique.
- Virtually Enhanced Procedures – In addition to the above, AR has also started changing the way you receive care at your dental clinic. During your care, special systems create an overlay that provides your dentist with information and highlights about the procedure. Everything from your vitals to identifying concerns the dentist may have missed.
The future of technological integration hinted at by these new advances means better dental care for everyone.
Technological advances continue to make important impacts on dental care.
Integrated Technology and Dental Care Provide A Hopeful Future
Augmented reality isn’t the only technology that’s making a difference in how we care for our teeth. Smart toothbrushes and 3D printing are also making important impacts. Every time we brush, our smart toothbrush tracks our dental health practices and helps us learn new ways to improve our brushing. 3D printings make restorations immediately available and more affordable, helping patients restore damaged teeth faster and cheaper than ever. Who knows what the future of dental technology holds?
