Technology and the Future of Dental Practice | Dr. Yara Oweis | TEDxPSUT

Summary

The speaker, a dentist trained in the mid-90s, highlights the revolutionary impact of technology on dental practice. From the primitive overhead projectors to advanced intraoral cameras, digital radiography, and CAT scans, the presentation underscores how these innovations have simplified diagnosis, treatment, and education. The speaker also discusses the growing influence of digital workflows, laser usage, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence in dentistry, emphasizing their precision and patient comfort, while acknowledging the challenges of high costs and limited availability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is a dentist trained in the mid-90s and highlights the significant technological advancements in dental practice since then.
• 🎓 The use of overhead projectors has been replaced by more advanced tools like PowerPoint and YouTube for teaching and learning in dentistry.
• 🔬 Technological advancements have revolutionized dental practice, including diagnosis, treatment, procedure design, and dental research.
• 📸 The introduction of intra-oral cameras has made dental examinations and patient communication more effective, though they are not yet widely affordable.
• 🦷 Digital radiography has improved the quality and speed of dental X-rays, reducing patient and dentist exposure to radiation, but at a higher cost.
• 💡 Cone beam CT scans offer detailed 3D images for precise dental procedures, especially in surgeries and implant planning, but are limited by cost and availability.
• 💎 The move from manual to digital workflows in prosthodontics, using CAD/CAM technology, has increased precision and reduced human error, albeit with high initial costs.
• 🌐 The use of lasers in dentistry has become more prevalent for gum surgeries, teeth whitening, and canal treatments, offering less invasive and more precise options.
• 🕶️ Virtual reality in dentistry is used for patient simulations and student training, though it is currently limited due to high costs and is not widely available.
• 🤖 Artificial intelligence is increasingly utilized in dental research for pattern detection and issue identification, improving diagnostic accuracy in various dental disciplines.
• 💰 The common theme in these advancements is their high cost, which currently limits their widespread use, but there is hope that prices will decrease for broader accessibility.

Q & A

What was the primary method of presenting information during the speaker's dental training in the mid-90s?

The primary method of presenting information during the speaker's dental training in the mid-90s was through overhead projectors with hand-drawn or handwritten slides.

How has technology changed the way dental students learn today compared to the past?

Today, dental students can watch videos on platforms like YouTube, and professors can demonstrate procedures with cameras projecting the process onto screens, making learning and teaching much easier compared to the past when overhead projectors were used.

What is an intraoral camera, and how does it benefit dental practice?

An intraoral camera is a small device used inside a patient's mouth to display dental issues on a computer screen. It helps in easier diagnosis, treatment explanation, and patient follow-up of dental procedures.

What are the advantages of digital radiographic sensors over traditional film-based radiographs?

Digital radiographic sensors offer sharp, well-defined images with clear details, immediate results, and reduced X-ray exposure, making diagnosis quicker, easier, and safer for both patients and dentists.

What is cone beam computer tomography, and how does it aid in dental procedures?

Cone beam computer tomography is a type of CT scan that provides 3D images of teeth and surrounding tissues. It is widely used in root canal treatments, wisdom tooth extractions, and dental implant planning, offering detailed and accurate images with lower radiation than regular CT scans.

How does the manual workflow for creating dental prosthetics differ from the digital workflow?

The manual workflow involves taking an impression of the teeth, creating a model, and building the prosthesis by a dental technician. The digital workflow uses an intraoral camera to capture impressions, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques, and digital models, resulting in more precise prosthetics with fewer errors.

What role do lasers play in modern dental practice?

Lasers are used in modern dental practice for gum surgeries, teeth whitening, removal of bacteria in tooth canals, and taking biopsies. They offer less invasive, more comfortable, and more precise treatments compared to traditional methods.

How is virtual reality used in dentistry for patient care and education?

Virtual reality in dentistry creates interactive simulations to show patients the procedures they will undergo, reducing anxiety, and allowing dental students to train and practice in a controlled and safe environment.

What potential does artificial intelligence offer in dental research and diagnostics?

Artificial intelligence in dentistry uses algorithms to analyze patient information, detect patterns, and identify potential issues from photographs, X-rays, or patient histories. It is particularly useful in distinguishing between normal, premalignant, and cancerous oral tissues, and in detecting dental caries and periapical lesions.

What challenges do the high costs of advanced dental technologies pose to their widespread adoption?

High costs of advanced dental technologies, such as intraoral cameras, digital sensors, and cone beam CT scanners, limit their availability to certain clinics and institutions. This restricts the ability to use these technologies on a wider scale in dental practices.

What does the speaker anticipate for the future of technology in dental practice?

The speaker anticipates that as with other technologies, the prices of advanced dental technologies will decrease over time, allowing for wider adoption and integration into dental practices.