Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Where Did We Start and Where Have We Landed? A Narrative Review.

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is gaining burgeoning interest among various dental disciplines. The import of this technology stems not only from its ability to fabricate different parts but from the solutions it provides for the customization and production of complex designs that other methods cannot offer-all to the end of enhancing clinical treatment alternatives. There is a wide range of AM machinery and materials available to choose from, and the goal of this review is to provide readers and clinicians with a decision tool for selecting the appropriate technology for a given application and to successfully integrate AM into the digital workflow.

Surveying the landscape of diagnostic imaging in dentistry's future: Four emerging technologies with promise.

BACKGROUND: Advances in digital radiography for both intraoral and panoramic imaging and cone-beam computed tomography have led the way to an increase in diagnostic capabilities for the dental care profession. In this article, the authors provide information on 4 emerging technologies with promise. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors feature the following: artificial intelligence in the form of deep learning using convolutional neural networks, dental magnetic resonance imaging, stationary intraoral tomosynthesis, and second-generation cone-beam computed tomography sources based on carbon nanotube technology and multispectral imaging. The authors review and summarize articles featuring these technologies. RESULTS: The history and background of these emerging technologies are previewed along with their development and potential impact on the practice of dental diagnostic imaging. The authors conclude that these emerging technologies have the potential to have a substantial influence on the practice of dentistry as these systems mature. The degree of influence most likely will vary, with artificial intelligence being the most influential of the 4. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The readers are informed about these emerging technologies and the potential effects on their practice going forward, giving them information on which to base decisions on adopting 1 or more of these technologies. The 4 technologies reviewed in this article have the potential to improve imaging diagnostics in dentistry thereby leading to better patient care and heightened professional satisfaction.

Uso efectivo de los adhesivos de octava generación / Effective use of eighth generation adhesives

Introducción: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de conocer, analizar y comparar los diferentes tipos de adhesivos de octava generación que se encuentran en el mercado y la diferencia que existe entre cada uno. Los adhesivos universales han demostrado mejoras en su resistencia, sobre todo en las técnicas de aplicación y en las propiedades de estos materiales, al mejorar la fuerza adhesiva para que el odontólogo pueda brindar tratamientos restaurativos exitosos. Objetivo: conocer, analizar y comparar los diferentes tipos de adhe- sivos de la octava generación empleados en odontología. Material y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos electrónicas PubMed, BVS, Redalyc y ScienceDirect. Se utilizaron 32 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios predeterminados y la especificidad reque- rida para la pregunta de investigación. Conclusiones: se demostró que la tecnología cada día avanza, sobre todo en el área de los adhesivos, ya que éstos son de mucha utilidad en el día a día del odontólogo; es importante conocer cada uno de éstos, puesto que es un poco complejo seleccionar el correcto, mas no el uso. En la actualidad, existen diversas opciones por las que el odontólogo puede optar, es por ello que el pro- fesional debe estar capacitado sobre cada una de las diferentes marcas existentes y, de acuerdo al tratamiento, debe elegir cuál es mejor utilizar en una rehabilitación. Es importante para el odontólogo conocer estos materiales, ya que esto lo beneficiará al momento de llevar un plan de tratamiento restaurador (AU)

Introduction: a bibliographic review was carried out to learn about, analyze, and compare the different types of eighth-generation adhesives on the market and the difference between each one. Universal adhesives have demonstrated improvements in their resistance, especially in the application techniques and properties of these materials, improving the adhesive strength so that the dentist can provide successful restorative treatments. Objective: to know, analyze and compare the different types of eighth-generation adhesives used in dentistry. Material and methods: a search was made of the following electronic databases: PubMed, BVS, Redalyc, ScienceDirect. Finally, 32 articles that met the predetermined criteria and the specificity required for the research question were used. Conclusions: it was demonstrated that technology is advancing every day, especially in the area of adhesives since these are very useful in the daily life of the dentist. It is important to know each one of these since it is a little complex at the moment of selecting the correct one, but not the use. Currently, there are several options that the dentist can choose, which is why the professional must be trained on each of the various existing brands and according to the treatment which is the best to use at the time of rehabilitation. The dentist needs to know these materials since they will benefit him/her when carrying out a restorative treatment plan (AU)

New frontiers in Dental Technology: An Overview.

The pace of technological advance across science is staggeringly fast. Our ability to translate some of the potential developments in technology into concepts/products/devices that can assist dentists in caring for patients is key to ensuring that both the profession and the people we care for derive full benefit from these new technologies. This overview will focus in four areas: research and how we gather and interpret data to inform health care; the diagnosis and prevention of disease; planning care; and new concepts in terms of achieving desired health outcomes for patients. Some of the technological advances will be in their infancy and others close to or indeed clinical reality. The objective of this overview is to show where we are in terms of the cutting edge of technology and to whet the appetite for things to come.

Ultrasound in Dentistry: Toward a Future of Radiation-Free Imaging.

Ultrasonography (US) is a noninvasive, nonionizing, inexpensive, and painless imaging tool proven to be a valuable diagnostic tool in soft tissue assessment that also shows promise for hard tissue evaluation in dentistry. US has been investigated for its capability to identify carious lesions, tooth fractures or cracks, periodontal bony defects, maxillofacial fractures, and more. It has been used as a diagnostic aid in temporomandibular disorders, implant dentistry, and to measure muscle and soft tissue thickness. Unfortunately, the use of US in dentistry is still in its infancy; however, relevant research is promising.

[The necessary ethical questioning regarding the caring relationship in dental telemedicine]. / Le nécessaire questionnement éthique autour de la relation de soin en télémédecine bucco-dentaire.

Technological innovations in the fields of medical imaging and communication have enabled the rise of dental telemedecine. By transforming the usual caring relationship, dental telemedicine virtualizes the medical procedure and generates a mutation of the classical relational model that rearticulates the relationship between the dentist and the patient. It introduces a positive lever that must stay up to the appraisal of the benefit-risk equation, that an ethical questioning will help to evaluate for every patient. Dental telemedicine must be understood as a mean, and not as an end. It must not be fantasized as a universal dental care model. It seems to be recommanded to investigate systematically the technological innovations and the development of protocols thanks to ethical guidelines in order to evaluate a priori and a posteriori any kind of progress that might be considered.

Transforming Dental Technology Education: Skills, Knowledge, and Curricular Reform.

Dental technology is one of the core allied dental health professions supporting the practice of dentistry. By definition, it is the art, science, and technologies that enable the design and fabrication of dental prostheses and/or corrective devices to restore natural teeth and supporting structures to fulfill a patient's physiological and esthetic needs. Dental technology educational programs are faced with serious challenges, including rapid changes in technology, inadequate funding for educational programs, and the need to develop curricula that reflect current industry needs. Better communications between dental technologists and practitioners are needed to gain greater recognition of the contribution that technologists make to patient health. Amid these challenges, the technology workforce is dedicated to providing patients with the best possible restorative dental prostheses. This article was written as part of the project "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century."

How Many Dentists Are Needed in 2040: Executive Summary.

Five background articles in Section 2 of the "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century" project examined some of the factors likely to impact the number of dentists needed in 2040: 1) the oral health of the population, 2) changes in the utilization of dental services, 3) new technologies, 4) the growth of large capitated dental group practices, and 5) the demand for dental care. With this information, a sixth background article estimated the number of dentists needed in 2040 compared to the number expected if current trends continue. This executive summary provides an overview of findings from these six articles. The data indicate major improvements in oral health, especially in upper income groups that account for 65% of practice revenues. At the same time, per capita utilization of restorative and prosthetic services has declined dramatically. No major new technologies are likely to impact the need for dentists by 2040. In a large capitated group practice, full-time general dentists treated an average of 2,100 patients per year; solo general dentists averaged 1,350. Based on the examined factors, growth in demand for traditional forms of care may slow substantially, raising the potential for a surplus of dentists in 2040. If these trends continue, the key national policy issue then would be: should schools reduce the number of graduates before market forces require them to downsize or close, or are other alternatives available?

The Effect of New Oral Care Technologies on the Need for Dentists in 2040.

This article addresses changes in technology of oral self-care or professional care that may increase or decrease the demand for dentists by 2040. The focus is on dental caries, periodontitis, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), as the first two are the main areas of current practice and because TMD is an area for growth. To address this question, the authors examined the scientific literature and government registries to identify recent or soon-to-be-available technologies. They also examined the state of translational efficiency, dissemination, and adoption of advances into dental practice. The pipeline of applicable technology is limited. Nevertheless, between now and 2040, emerging technologies will continue to reduce the need for training more dentists, while no technologies are emerging that will significantly increase the need. Technology in dentistry is adopted slowly as is true in other medical specialties. If a breakthrough product did appear, the results of industry-sponsored trials would be viewed skeptically by the profession, and considerable time would be required to establish the applicability of the findings to the broader population. Greater integration of dentistry into preventive medicine, with dentists offering point-of-service medical testing for systemic disease as suggested by the American Dental Association (ADA), would require a paradigm shift, can occur only over a lengthy period, and is unlikely to impact this assessment. This article was written as part of the project "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century."

Diseño de la sonrisa en PowerPoint / Smile design in PowerPoint

Digital Smile Design (DSD - Diseño Digital de la Sonrisa) es un software ideado por el Dr. Christian Coachman que permite diagnosticar, diseñar y comunicar al técnico dental y al paciente el resultado final pretendido mediante la rehabilitación oral. El objetivo de esta comunicación es divulgar cómo diseñar digitalmente la sonrisa utilizando PowerPoint, con los mismos fines y resultados del programa original. PowerPoint es un programa del paquete Office del sistema operativo Windows (Microsoft, Inc., Estados Unidos), por lo que esta herramienta permite acercar el diseño digital de la sonrisa a la gran mayoría de los odontólogos, quienes de esta manera pueden elaborar sus propios diseños de la sonrisa de sus pacientes de forma gratuita.

The Digital Smile Design is a software developed by Dr. Christian Coachman, which allows to diagnose, design and communicate to the dental technician and the patient the intended final result in oral rehabilitation. The objective of this technical note is to show how to digitally design the smileusing PowerPoint, with the same goals and results that theoriginal program executes. PowerPoint is a software that isin the operating system of Microsoft Windows. Therefore, the development that we have achieved in the use of this tool for digital smile design allows the vast majority of dentists toelaborate their own patients’ smile designs for free.