Advances in dentistry

tippog

Just wondering what the dentists on the board think is the most impressive/important recent advance in dentistry? Implants etc.

Also what would you think is the next step? (e.g. had heard a while back about a type of stem cell research in dentistry which seems to have disappeared)

Adventure

CAD-CAM technology, also new composites such as SDR.

The Dublin Whale

I was reading about needle free syringes:

http://dentavision.com.au/res/File/catalogues/specials/Dental%20Flyer%201_1.pdf

Sounds great but I haven't seen it used anywhere here yet. Needles are the only bit about going to the dentist that I hate so once one in Dublin starts using these I'll give them my business.

Laser fillings will probably become more advanced in time and will be used for all fillings eventually.

There is also a new product called curodont which is currently in trial, it is supposed to regrow damaged enamel.

Big_G

The Dublin Whale wrote: »

I was reading about needle free syringes:

http://dentavision.com.au/res/File/catalogues/specials/Dental%20Flyer%201_1.pdf

Sounds great but I haven't seen it used anywhere here yet. Needles are the only bit about going to the dentist that I hate so once one in Dublin starts using these I'll give them my business.

Laser fillings will probably become more advanced in time and will be used for all fillings eventually.

There is also a new product called curodont which is currently in trial, it is supposed to regrow damaged enamel.

I disagree about the "laser fillings". The biggest limitation to lasers is thermal management and that is something that I can't see being overcome. Lasers generate heat to vapourise tooth structure. Unfortunately teeth don't like being heated. This is fine at the low temperatures needed to vapourise decay but not good at the high temperatures needed to vapourise fillings and organic and inorganic restorative materials. So I don't think lasers are taking over.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Big_G wrote: »

I disagree about the "laser fillings". The biggest limitation to lasers is thermal management and that is something that I can't see being overcome. Lasers generate heat to vapourise tooth structure. Unfortunately teeth don't like being heated. This is fine at the low temperatures needed to vapourise decay but not good at the high temperatures needed to vapourise fillings and organic and inorganic restorative materials. So I don't think lasers are taking over.

Nevermind that a laser will be more dangerious (zapping eyes, soft tissue and anything) as a drill is more controlable as it only cuts what it touches. Also the drill bits in dentistry are shaped to cut cavities in certain undercut geometry a laser can never do that. Lasers are not going to take over they have no advantages.

Stem cell stuff might be the next revolution, but thats a while off and because of the ethical problems with human trials it would take a long time to come to market even if it were ready today.

Materials will improve, protocols will improve, training will improve. I personally think that thing will improve in a very incremental fashon rather than a revolution. Implants are nothing new, been around since the 1960's

sailorjerry

The Dublin Whale wrote: »

I was reading about needle free syringes:

http://dentavision.com.au/res/File/catalogues/specials/Dental%20Flyer%201_1.pdf

Sounds great but I haven't seen it used anywhere here yet. Needles are the only bit about going to the dentist that I hate so once one in Dublin starts using these I'll give them my business.

Laser fillings will probably become more advanced in time and will be used for all fillings eventually.

There is also a new product called curodont which is currently in trial, it is supposed to regrow damaged enamel.

I have used the INJEX on a needle phobic. The previous week i used a normal injection in one of the most sensitive areas with topical anaesthetic keeping the needle from sight. Due to technique it was not painful and patient was happy.
The next week the INJEX had arrived and i asked whether they would like to try it, they ended up crying hysterically.
It is a spring loaded cartridge that vaporises the anaesthetic through the gum tissue it is contacting. The shock to the patient of the activation of the spring was too much to take even after being warned. Its not a magic tool but can help in certain situations. It is also not particularly effective in certain areas and may require further injections.