From trends in clinical dental materials to new-age technologies and formatting, the arena of restorative dentistry has evolved significantly in recent years.Thus, dentists continue to seek ways to improve patient treatment with restoratives that will not only impact the patient’s health in a positive way, but will also sustain the health of the remaining structure of a tooth. As such, bioactive materials have come into play, which discourage bacterial activity and strengthen the restorative interface, as reported by Dental News. In turn, dental professionals are now using more focused applications in technology with tomography and three-dimensional diagnostic tools. Ultimately, continued advancements in restorative dentistry mean that dentists will view health and disease differently in the years to come.
Though first presented in the 1970’s, bonding agents have changed dramatically ever since. Previously, bonding required specific steps performed in an exact sequence. Today, bonding is simple and more predictable than ever before, and can be achieved in one step. What’s more, there are predictions that adhesive components will be incorporated into dental restorations, so as to eliminate the need for bonding as a separate step. In the same way, the characteristics of resin components have changed, allowing for one-step resin cements for indirect restorations. Furthermore, materials such as silane, ceramic and metal will be added, which is a long-awaited dream in restorative dentistry (Coltene).
With a continued emphasis on conservative dentistry, dental practitioners will utilize 3-D modeling to better locate and detect disease, allowing for more direct treatment. This is especially important, given the rapid increase in oral cancers in groups not previously considered at risk. As an example, epithelial lesions at the basal membrane that are invisible can be seen and mapped for further examination and biopsy through a combination of LED lights, advanced filtration and natural fluorescence visualization.
Perhaps most exciting about recent and upcoming advancements in restorative dentistry is that they are virtually non-invasive. Therefore, patients needn’t worry about discomfort or needing to miss work for multiple appointments.
Call Grateful Dental Today!
As part of a comprehensive menu of services, Grateful Dental utilizes advanced dental imaging, intraoral cameras and CEREC one-day dental technologies to provide patients with the most rewarding experience possible. If you are searching for a qualified dentist for your family in Marietta or East Cobb, call Grateful Dental today.
