Rune Fisker looks ahead and gives his predictions on dentistry and what the future looks like for the new year.
‘Driven by Covid, a significant digital acceleration has been happening in 2021 and this will continue into 2022. These are the key trends in 2022 I foresee in the coming year,’ Rune Fisker.
The dental platform race has begun
Platforms are disrupting industries and changing the way we live. The practice management system will remain the cornerstone of the digital clinic. But all major dental technology companies are now offering or launching platforms.
The question therefore is who is in the best position to win?
Intraoral scanners will keep driving digitalisation
The adaption of intraoral scanners (IOS) dramatically accelerated in 2021. This will also continue into 2022.
Penetration is already reaching 30-35% in the US and mature markets. We also see a very rapid growth in the number of IOS cases that drive digitalisation throughout the clinic and across workflows.
Future IOS usage will go far beyond a digital impression just replacing an analogue impression.
3D printing and materials: next level
3D printers are the other hot item in the digital category.
The true game changer is 3D printing materials. New and improved materials are being released every day. New printing materials, splints of high quality are driving this surge.
This year is most likely the year we see 100% 3D printed final dentures take off. This will certainly, disrupt the removable market.
Ultimately, all indications have the potential to be 3D printed and a major question is therefore how deep 3D printers will penetrate the clinic.
AI is here
Last year was the year where AI finally made its mark on CAD/CAM. 3shape Automate, our solution that enables users to upload a scan to the cloud and 100% design it using AI, truly disrupted the market.
There is therefore going to be much more AI in 2022. AI is making computers and people smarter and faster across all applications in digital dentistry.
Aligners and dentures rapidly adopted
Cosmetic dentistry and more than anything, clear aligners will continue to push digitalisation forward, driven by consumer demand for beauty.
The big missing indication in CAD/CAM is dentures. But this is changing fast with three-digit growth in cases pushed forward by the very strong benefit to clinics and increased efficiency.
We see 3shape extremely well positioned to drive and further accelerate these trends.
Let’s change dentistry together.
Explore 3shape’s digital solutions here utm.io/ueaSP.
