Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions, dating as far back as 7000 B.C.
Canada is among the world leaders when it comes to the overall oral health of its citizens. In fact, 74% of Canadians have seen a dental professional in the past year.
Read on for 5 of the top trends in the dental industry for 2019.
1. 3D Printing – The Future of Dentistry
One of the biggest trends that will carry over from 2018 is the rise of 3D resin printing in the dental industry.
Sure, 3D printing has been around for years. But it has only recently taken hold of the dental industry.
3D printing allows dental businesses to provide their patients with custom dental solutions. In the past, 3D printing in dentistry was just used to create orthodontic devices.
Now, it is being used to help with all sorts of dental needs such as teeth grinding, sleep apnea, implantology, and prosthodontics.
2. Emotional Dentistry
Emotional dentistry refers to the ability of dentists to show patients the end product. That way, patients are emotionally committed to the outcome. Their levels of trust for the dentist and the process goes up.
Things like virtual mockups and digital photography let patients see what they will look like after the final restorations are complete.
This is one of the best dental trends for patients because it lets them make informed decisions. Patients can see various options and decide on one smile based on their preferences.
Letting patients have more control over the outcomes is a groundbreaking dentistry trend that we’ll continue to see past 2019.
3. Laser Technology
Laser technology is used in dentistry for all sorts of procedures. Lasers are used in dental clinics to fill cavities, help with tooth sensitivity and even get rid of tumors.
The best thing about laser technology is that it eliminates patients’ discomfort during procedures.
It is fast and effortless for the dentist. This is why laser technology is the future of dentistry.
These trends that are cutting edge now, will be commonplace in a decade. Dental hygienists will need to study to stay on top of this and other emerging trends.
4. The Emergence of Dentistry Apps
As in all industries, in the dentistry business, it’s important to stay current with technology. With our society’s reliance on smartphones, more and more dental businesses will develop apps for their patients.
These apps will focus on dental care or oral hygiene. Some dental clinics will use apps to manage and book appointments.
5. More Financing Options
In the dentistry business, it’s increasingly common for clinics to offer financing options.
Many patients can’t pay for their treatments up front. To provide excellent customer service, we can expect to see many more dentist clinics offering friendly financing options.
Some dental businesses manage financing in-house. Others opt to bring on a third-party financing company.
More financing options benefit the patient as well as the dentist because it allows dentists to make additional profit from their work.
Final Thoughts on the Dental Industry Trends
We hope you found these 5 trends you can expect to see in 2019 insightful.
It’s an exciting time to be in the dental industry. As new technology emerges, the dental applications quickly follow.
Are you looking for work in the dental industry? Check out these 5 tips for getting a job as a dental hygienist.