DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN DENTAL PRACTICE: A PARADIGM SHIFT

The advent of digital technologies has instigated a transformative shift in dental practice, markedly enhancing patient experiences and reshaping oral healthcare delivery. This wave of change encompasses Intraoral scanners, paired with CAD/CAM technologies, facilitate the creation of restorations with remarkable exactitude, resulting in superior-fitting prosthetics and improved treatment outcomes. Additionally, the expeditious nature of digital workflows streamlines impression-taking and restoration design, thereby diminishing chairside time and enhancing overall workflow efficiency. Complementing these are sophisticated imaging technologies that afford clinicians detailed 3D visualizations of the oral cavity, which are instrumental in fostering precise diagnoses and scrupulous treatment planning. The influence of digital technology transcends clinical practice, with significant implications for patient engagement and education. Interactive tools and visual aids now enable patients to gain greater insight into their treatment plans and oral health conditions, thus promoting enhanced engagement in their own dental care. Moreover, AR/VR technologies have introduced novel, immersive educational experiences for patients, who can now explore their treatment options in virtual environments and make more informed decisions regarding their oral health. In addition to patient education, the applications of AR/VR in dental practice are multifarious, extending to surgical planning and simulation, pain and anxiety management, remote consultations, prosthodontics, implant planning, dental education, and real-time chairside assistance. These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to refine clinical decision-making and patient outcomes, and to broaden the reach of dental care, especially in underserved areas. Although traditional dental methodologies persist in relevance for certain situations, the integration of digital tools has unequivocally improved aspects such as efficiency, precision, patient communication, and the efficacy of treatments within modern dentistry. Continuing advancements in digital dentistry, with a special focus on AR/VR innovations, are poised to mold the future of oral healthcare, signaling the dawn of a patient-centric, technologically empowered era of dental practice.