Technological Advances in Dentistry and Orthodontics Treatments

Introduction 

Technological advancement has taken a better part in the field of the healthcare system. The 21 st century is characterized by numerous innovations championed by the emergency and application of new technologies. Technology impacts several aspects of human lives as healthcare professionals find it useful in research, data collection, and intensified treatment techniques. The invention of new medical tools, such as vibration devices and customized orthodontic appliances, for example, has increased the efficiency in dentistry and orthodontic treatments (Adrees, 2016). Therefore, any keen observer would agree that technology is the driving force behind the emergence of improved healthcare practices, such as dentistry and orthodontic treatments, due to its substantive application in coming up with effective treatment devices. 

Figure 1 : Showing technology has changed healthcare; image via https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/blog/orthodontic-technology-advances/ 

Technological advances are the key to relieving human beings of the devastating effects of toothache and abnormal dental formula. Imagine living in a world where toothache goes in odd hours without treatment. Think of a situation where one stays forever with protruding teeth. No eating, no smile, no interacting with friends. It sounds pretty offensive when anyone with sound mind imagines leading an isolated life due to misfortune in the arrangement of teeth in the mouth. Worst of it is when the isolation is due to foul-smelling emanates from the breath. Such situations would certainly increase suicidal cases in the world. Thanks to technological advances, such misfortunes are nowadays temporal. Anyone can now lead a happy life courtesy of the application of technological advances in dentistry and orthodontics treatments. 

Figure 2 : Showing the importance of Invisalign; image via https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/blog/orthodontic-technology-advances/ 

History and Background 

Dentistry may be defined as a field of medicine specializing in diagnosing, preventing, and restoration of tooth-related issues, such as tooth structure, oral cavity, and lousy smell (Elmotaleb et al., 2019). Dentistry is as old as human species. Just like the present-day human beings, the first human species had numerous teeth-related problems. This implies that they inevitably devised ways of mitigating the monster. The only difference between the early dentists and the modern dentists is that while the traditional dentists used improvised methods of cleaning teeth, the latter uses complex and efficient ways of restoring all aspects of tooth problems. 

However, it is worth noting that the modern dentists borrowed the dentistry practices from the early dentists. For instance, today's widely used toothbrushes are a modification of the natural bristle brushes invented by the ancient Chinese (Bellis, 2018). The Chinese and the Indians used traditional toothpaste, made of soap and chalk, as early as 500 BC (Bellis, 2018). Although Levi Spear Parmly (1790-1859) is credited as the first dentist to invent dental floss, prehistoric studies indicate the presence of dental floss and toothpicks in the grooves used as accommodation by the ancient human species (Bellis, 2018). The first false teeth were designed by the Etruscans as early as 700 BC using ivory and bones. The first electric drill was patented by George Green in 1875 (Bellis, 2018). Since then, the dentistry sector has undergone significant technological inventions to come up with today's healthy population. 

Figure 3 : Showing ancient bristle toothbrushes; image by Mary Bellis (2019). 

Although it is not known how much is yet to be invented in the field of dentistry and orthodontics, the entire world today enjoys the benefits of the new dental science orthodontics and dentistry. For instance, a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Elmotaleb et al. (2019) indicate that vibrating appliances have a significant influence in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. A similar study was done by Adrees (2016) also concluded that the newly developed technological devices, such as customized orthodontic appliances and vibration devices are more effective in treatment as compared to the conventional methods of treatment. Therefore, technological advancement may be perceived as the key contributor in enhancing the well-being of the society, particularly in dentistry and orthodontic treatments. 

Popular Technologies in Dentistry and Orthodontics 

It is no longer a science fiction that an individual born with abnormal dental formula or accidentally loses his or her natural dental structure may be helped by a healthcare professional to lead a healthy life. As the patient needs to keep increasing, dentists regularly use emerging technologies to suit the needs of their clients. This has led to the discovery of a wide variety of devices aimed at offering world-class medical services to the clients. 

One of the devices developed courtesy of technological advances is Invisalign. Invisalign are practically modern invisible braces that are capable of straightening human teeth gently and with no or little pain. They are made primarily to conveniently straighten social smile as opposed to the conventional bulky metallic braces (Gemmi, 2018). Besides, Invisalign relieves patients of the burden of dietary restrictions, and they are easily removed for cleaning. 

Figure 4 : Showing how Invisalign braces have enhanced the face of orthodontic care; image by Dr. Charles Gemmi (2018), via https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/invisalign/invisalign-orthodontic-care/ 

Velscope is another technologically developed device explicitly made to investigate the presence of abnormalities in patients' mouths. Its effectiveness is enhanced by its quality of producing a special light capable of illuminating the mouths of patients for precise examination by dentists. The technology has been applied effectively to detect the presence of cancerous cells in oral cancer screening (Gemmi, 2018). The device is ranked among the best recently invented instruments that have gained extensive use in saving millions of lives globally. DIAGNOdent is a newly developed tool that is rapidly replacing the regular X-ray in cavity detections. The device can show finer details that are impossible to find using standard X-rays. The invention has been described as the state of heart tool because of its ability to detect future tooth cavity problems. Laser dentistry, on the other hand, is useful in enhancing the efficacy and eliminating discomforts resulting in various dental procedures, such as tooth cavity reduction, reduction of tooth sensitivity, eliminating tumors, and teeth whitening. 

Manufacturing Resolution 

The technological evolution and digital solution integration practices are the key contributors to the transformation of diagnosing and the emergence of modern treatment plans. Today, most of the dentistry and orthodontics devices use the 3D techniques to meet the doctors' practices, locations, volume growth of patients, and for convenience of storage (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). The 3D techniques make dentistry and orthodontic treatments a reality. As opposed to the 2D techniques, the 3D techniques, applied in the development of facial and intraoral scanners, cone-beam computed tomography, additive manufacturing, and digital radiology, are highly efficient, accurate, consistent, and predictable in coming up with the best plan of patient care (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). 

Besides, the 3D tools are widely becoming cheap to purchase, less voluminous, and portable. Their flexibility in terms of manufacturing processes is offering a resolution to the manufacturing industry in meeting the needs of the targeted customers. The flexibility means that the tools may take various shapes to meet customer prevalence and choice. Manufacturers are continually coming up with small volume devices, which are critical in reducing the cost of production and are easy to complete their manufacturing, hence increasing their availability in the market to meet the high customer demand. Another resolution is that the small-volume 3D devices require little space for storage and transportation to various destinations in the market. 

Figure 5 : Showing the difference between traditional and modern workflow in the orthodontic office; image by Evans, Taneva, and Kusnoto (2015). 

In summary, the 3D techniques applied in the manufacture of the new dentistry and orthodontic devices benefit both the manufacturer and the consumers. While the manufacturing firms realize cost-effective production methods, the consumers obtain the products cheaply, conveniently, and in their desired shape and size. 

Future Implications 

The historical invention and application of 3D in coming up with new technologies in the field of dentistry and orthodontics has proven to be a key to the analysis of dentition over the years. Some of the limitations of the plaster models are fragility, labor-intensity, degradation, and demand for high-skilled labor (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). However, digital models have proven to be effective in fast data transfer, reduced storage space, and highly accessible (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). As the technology advances, manufacturers continue to avail orthodontic tools that readily undergo manipulation for sectioning and analyzing a selected tooth, malocclusion type, arc form, and crowding amount (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). 

Technological advancements continue to light the future of dentistry and orthodontic treatment at an intriguing rate. The recently developed nanotechnology catapults the healthcare sector from their theoretical talks to the real world. Dentistry and orthodontics treatments continue to face a major technological revolution, even as they recently appear targeted with novel nanomaterials (Evans, Taneva, & Kusnoto, 2015). 

Conclusion 

The dentistry and orthodontics treatment sectors are in constant evolution. The recent technologies applied in dentistry and orthodontics treatment has championed doctors to offer every solution to their clients. Most of the scholars acknowledge that customized orthodontic appliances and vibration devices not only provide a permanent solution to human teeth structure, but also enhance their smile, and subsequently foster social interaction and well-being. The use of the 3D technique in the designing of the clinical devices not only offers economic implications to the industry but also has a wide range of benefits to the consumers. While this paper acknowledges the need for further research in this field, the potentiality of the 3D printing property in revolutionizing other industrial operations cannot be underestimated at this level of study. 

References 

A.M. Adrees, Do customized orthodontic appliances and vibration devices provide more efficient treatment than conventional methods? 2016 May; 46(3): 180–185. Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879321/ 

C. Evans, E. Taneva, & B. Kusnoto, 3D Scanning, Imaging, and Printing in Orthodontics, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281907314_3D_Scanning_Imaging_and_Printing_in_Orthodontics 

C. Gemmi, How Invisalign Braces Has Changed the Face of Orthodontic Care, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/invisalign/invisalign-orthodontic-care/ 

D. Alpan, S. Daher, S.J. Bowman, “Real-world” evaluation of AcceleDent: american journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthodontics, April 2017 , Vol. 151, no. 4, P. 633–635 .Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.ajodo.org/article/S0889-5406(17)30039-2/fulltext 

M. Bellis, A Comprehensive History of Dentistry and Dental Care, March 19, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-dentistry-and-dental-care-1991569 

M. Elmotaleb, M.M. Elnamrawy, F. Sharaby, A.R. Elbeialy, & A. ElDakroury, Effectiveness of using a Vibrating Device in Accelerating Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, 2019, 9(1), 5–12. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6402256/