Innovation is not new to the dental industry; while quite many of us know about the common dental tools like electric toothbrushes and teeth whitening kits, a world full of newer or less known dental products is fundamentally changing dental care behind the scenes.
From digital diagnostics to composite materials that emulate the very structure of natural teeth, such considered innovations in dental products greatly enhance the accomplishment of their goals in the interest of patients and dental care practitioners.
Let us look closely at some of the innovative dental products and the role they play in the efficient, effective, and comfortable performance of dental visits.
- 3M™ Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive
Scotchbond might not be a household name to most patients, but it’s a game-changer for dentists. It is a universal dental adhesive that’s used in bonding procedures, helping to ensure that fillings, veneers, and crowns stay securely attached to teeth.
What verbatim makes Scotchbond Universal Plus stand out from many other bonding systems is strength and versatility. It can be combined with all etch-and-rinse techniques (total-etch, self-etch, and selective-etch) and adheres to all dental substrates, be it natural enamel or dentin, or anything ceramic.
Another great feature of Scotchbond is its radiopacity: a clear picture will be shown on X-rays, allowing dentists to confirm correct application and check any spots of secondary decay. Plus, it’s BPA-free, to the delight of those patients who prefer the use of biocompatible materials with health-conscious profiles in their mouths.
- SonicFill™ Composite System
Filling cavities is a routine procedure, but it can be very intricate. Layering composite material into a tooth cavity takes time and precision, and the longer a patient is in the dental chair, the less comfortable they will be. Enter SonicFill: a single-step, sonic-activated composite system. SonicFill combines the benefits of a flowable composite material with the strength of a packable one. Once activated by a specialised handpiece, the product flows into the cavity and quickly hardens. This significantly cuts down chair time without any compromise on filling quality. With this system, patients benefit from faster procedures and reduced requirements for follow-up work.
- iTero Element™ Intraoral Scanner
Before the revolution in technology, impression trays were terribly messy to work with, or so dentists used to think. The iTero Element scanner is a zenith technological shift from the realms of conventional dental moulding. The intra-oral digital scanner captures 3D images of a patient’s mouth in real-time with pinpoint accuracy, and it is fast becoming indispensable in dental, periodontal, and orthodontic works. It offers speedier turnaround time from the creation of better-fitting appliances, as in aligners of Invisalign, orthodontic retainers, and crowns, giving patients an expedited and uprated experience. This can then be completely integrated with other systems, including instant digital image sharing with a lab or another specialist.
- Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
A powerful, cost-effective tool in preventative dentistry, Silver Diamine Fluoride is a topical solution that can halt cavity progression without drilling. This works by essentially “arresting” the cavity by killing the bacteria that cause decay and hardening the tooth structure. A non-invasive option, it does stain the decayed part of the tooth black, but is a preferred alternative for paediatric, elderly, and special needs patients and where access to traditional restorative dental care is limited.
- Teledentistry
Just like other areas of medicine, dentistry is going digital! With platforms such as MouthWatch and TeleDent, a patient may consult at a distance with a dentist, giving a picture of the oral health problem at hand so that advice is given or prescriptions when applicable. Teledentistry programs serve as means to bring care to rural, distant, or underserved populations, bridging the gap between the patient and the provider for much more rapid access to care.
Final Thoughts
The future of dentistry is more efficient, comfortable, and patient-friendly than ever before. From products like Scotchbond to digital consultations, the industry is reshaping how care is delivered. Understanding these innovations empowers patients to ask better questions and allows dentists to offer up-to-date, best-practice care – and make smiles healthier than ever before.
