Embracing Innovation

We've always spoken about the "future of dentistry" or the time when we will finally have certain capabilities. Today, in 2024, the future of dentistry has arrived. With the advancements in dentistry driven by digital technologies, we are seeing exponential growth in dental innovation and treatment capabilities that we only just imagined a few years ago. Regarding implant dentistry, there have been innovations in virtually every area. From the creation of virtual patients for digital treatment planning to the 3D printing of surgical guides and dental prostheses, we can now provide implant therapy with far greater accuracy and predictability.

For example, the incorporation of AI has significantly improved many aspects of our implant workflows. AI is being used to improve diagnosis, treatment planning, prosthetic design, laboratory workflows, and more. In addition, advancements in intraoral scanning techniques to accurately replicate edentulous arches have improved our ability to provide patients with full-arch restorations. Furthermore, innovations in grafting protocols and regenerative dentistry, including the use of stem cells, growth factors, and scaffolds, have significantly improved our ability to replace both hard and soft tissues, contributing to more predictable outcomes for implant therapy. These advancements ultimately allow us to provide better care to our patients. We can now deliver same-day temporary prostheses with greater predictability, saving time for both practitioners and patients, and with advanced treatment planning capabilities, we can offer less invasive procedures with improved esthetic outcomes.

As the use of dental technology in implant workflows continues to evolve, it will be crucial for dental professionals to adapt to these changes through continuous education and training. Fortunately, innovations in implant education, such as the incorporation of virtual reality and augmented reality, are enhancing opportunities for hands-on training. We would like to personally thank all of the incredible clinicians who contributed to this special issue on "innovations in implant dentistry." Embracing innovation in dentistry not only enhances our clinical practice but also improves overall oral health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Reena Gajjar, DDS
Guest Editor
Inside Dentistry
Founder/CEO
The Aesthetic Company
Scottsdale, Arizona

Robert C.
Margeas, DDS
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Dentistry
Private Practice
Des Moines, Iowa
Adjunct Professor
Department of Operative Dentistry
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
robert.margeas@broadcastmed.com