High Tech Takeover: The 2024 Dental Products Report® Technology Census reveals the start of the industry’s true shift to digital solutions

Most innovative technologies take time to find their way into a majority of dental practices, as dental professionals want to see what will truly work, and what is nothing but marketing buzz and bluster. Find out which dental technologies are winning over the industry and which are seen as over-hyped as we present the results of the 2024 Dental Products Report Technology Census.

Tech Profiles

In general, how would you describe yourself in terms of incorporating new technologies into your practice?

The results here are on par with previous years, but fans of assuring a return on their technology investments grew at the expense of the dreamers and the impulse shoppers. In fact, while the researchers have remained in the majority through every Technology Census, this is the lowest total we’ve recorded for either the dreamers or the impulse shoppers.

Technologies in Practices and in Future Plans

Rate the following technologies based on the options listed below.

The movement toward digital dentistry being the norm is apparent in these numbers, especially when it comes to 3D imaging solutions. The number of practices using their own CBCT systems and intraoral scanners continues to grow year over year. While chairside mills seem to have lost some of their appeal, 3D printers saw growing adoption and interest. Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions also saw a rapid adoption. The number of practices using these automated computing solutions almost doubled year over year, and stands out with more than one-third of practices planning to add the technology in the next 12 months. All-tissue lasers and operating microscopes continue to occupy a similar niche, and the only technology losing space in practices seems to be the aerosol mitigation solutions that saw quick adoption during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Technology Shaping the Future of Dentistry

What technology has the biggest potential to impact dentistry’s future?

The almost even 3-way spilt of these results shows that there is no consensus about the technology that will drive dentistry in the future. While development in 3D printing, regenerative materials, and AI is moving rapidly, all 3 technologies are likely to make a big impact on what dentists can do to care for their patients in the future.

Don’t Believe the Hype

What emerging technology is overhyped?

In this case there is a clear frontrunner. Dental practices are certainly adopting AI technologies, and dental professionals see the potential in these technologies, but they also see plenty of bluster. Both in dentistry and in the wider world, AI seems to be everywhere these days, and maybe that’s a little too much AI for everyone to handle.

ROI Perceptions

Rate the following technologies on their potential to provide a strong return on investment for your practice.

When it comes to a technology being worth the price paid for the tech, the most commonly used devices were rated as having the highest return on the investment. Loupes, curing lights, and digital x-ray systems topped the rankings, with intraoral cameras and intraoral scanners close behind. Other digital imaging and practice management solutions also provide value to a practice. The ROI on AI solutions was in the lower end of the rankings, while digital shade matching solutions and all-tissue lasers were seen as providing the least value to a practice’s bottom line.

Tech Expectations

Rate the following technologies on how much you believe your patients expect its use in your practice.

While many practices put their technology investments front and center for patients to see, most clinicians do not feel patients have high technology expectations when they come in for dental care. Once again digital x-rays proved to be the technology at the top of the rankings, with other digital technologies following closely behind. While clinicians believe some patients expect to see loupes on their dentist and hygienist, few believe they expect clinicians to work under a microscope.