Top 5 Dental Trends Dental Hygienists (and Patients) Want in 2025
As dental technology evolves, it enables improved patient care and helps distinguish your practice from the competition. Consider these top dental trends of 2025 to upgrade your technology and expand your practice. These trends include leveraging artificial intelligence, laser dentistry, teledentistry, holistic dentistry, and more.
1. Personalized Treatment Plans
Enhancing Patient Care with Advanced Technologies
By combining the capabilities of intraoral cameras, CAD/CAM systems, and 3D digital impressions, dental practices can significantly improve the quality of both general and cosmetic dentistry. These technologies allow dental hygienists to visualize and explain oral health and at-home hygiene to patients, and they enable precise orthodontic and complex restoration planning. AI and machine learning predictive capabilities also play a vital role in treatment planning.
2. Expanded 3D Printing
In-House Production for Efficiency and Customization
3D printing technology allows dental practices to produce appliances in-house, generating additional revenue and shortening patient wait times. This technology can print and custom-fit items such as splints, mouthguards, retainers, veneers, crowns, implants, dentures, and surgical guides. Expanding 3D printing capabilities can enhance both the practice and the skill set of dental hygienists.
3. Teledentistry
Extending Reach and Enhancing Convenience
What began as a necessity during the pandemic has evolved into a standard service offering. Teledentistry is utilized for both general and emergency dentistry, enabling dental hygienists to triage patients, provide remote follow-up care, and host patient workshops. It also includes partnering with rural dentists, providing in-depth consultations, scheduling follow-up visits, and hosting virtual workshops.
4. Laser Dentistry
Precision and Efficiency in Dental Procedures
Laser dentistry offers precision and efficiency, optimizing the time for dental teams and minimizing patient discomfort and healing times. Laser technology can be used for teeth whitening, cavity detection, anesthesia-free fillings, composite bonding, decay removal, and more. Implementing or expanding laser dentistry can enhance patient care and practice efficiency.
5. Holistic Dentistry
Integrating Whole-Body Health with Dental Care
Many patients now prefer holistic dentistry, which emphasizes proactive and preventative health measures and the connection between oral and whole-body health. Dental hygienists can guide and advise on holistic requests, including fluoride-free products, biocompatible fillings and implants, and promoting stress management, sleep, and nutrition for overall health.
FAQs
What are the benefits of personalized treatment plans in dentistry?
Personalized treatment plans improve the quality of care, enhance precision in restorations, and provide better patient education and satisfaction.
How does 3D printing benefit dental practices?
3D printing allows for in-house production of dental appliances, reducing patient wait times and generating additional revenue streams.
Why is teledentistry important for modern dental practices?
Teledentistry extends the reach of dental services, offers convenience for patients, and supports remote care and consultations.