The innovative strength of the dental industry is unabated. At IDS 2025, new dental products will showcase the rapid progress in research and development. The international competition and the tireless product development are the main drivers. The companies of the dental industry are proving to be equally inventive and application-oriented. Several outstanding examples outlined below aim to highlight how the manufacturers of dental medicine technology are bringing dentists, dental technicians, and their teams forward.
Practices can rely on stronger support for caries diagnosis:
- The aggregation of different imaging techniques such as X-rays, fluorescence and transillumination ensures a good overall picture.
- The X-ray diagnosis occurs fully-automatically supported by artificial intelligence. Thus, it is at the disposal of the dentist for the medical evaluation – enabling the improved detection of initial caries lesions.
- The magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) has been introduced as a further digital imaging technology. It allows for the improved detection of secondary and occult caries.
MRT opens up further opportunities:
- In the field of periodontal diagnostics, this already allows the detection of bone loss in its early stages.
- The MRT can be combined with intra oral scans, 3D X-rays, and a computer tomography in implantology. This combination enables successful backward-planning.
Furthermore, there are new developments in all sections of the practice:
- In the fields of periodontology and professional prophylaxis, innovative multifunctional systems with an ultrasonic handpiece and a powder jet handpiece offer the team user-friendly operation. Patients experience a particularly pleasant therapy.
- More and more aesthetic, tooth-coloured materials are available for filling therapies. These include nano hybrid ormocers for filling therapies. New self-adhesive composites that bond without the use of separate adhesives are eagerly awaited.
- In the field of endodontics, digital assistance systems reduce the risk of file breakage. Thanks to sensor-less control, the motor reacts immediately. A continual electronic length determination during the active processing helps keep the file always on the desired target.
At the same time, innovative trends are enrichening the dental laboratory:
- During the work preparation, “plug-and-play” software keeps the costs under control. Even the novice can produce comprehensive solutions off the cuff.
- Different production options are enhancing the area of prosthetics, namely 3D printing. New, four-axes CAD/CAM milling machines with water-cooled spindles allow top continuous operation performance. More and more frequently, this is achieved without additional abrasive materials.
- Without further ado, retentions and undercuts in any form can be integrated into every object using 3D printing. When printing restorations made from highly-filled composites, resin in the form of vacuum-sealed capsules can also be used. This process provides a simple and fast solution that even works with highly-viscous ceramic-filled resins.
- As well as metals and plastics, ceramics can also be manufactured using additive production. In one specific clinical case a subperiosteal jaw implant made of zirconium oxide ceramic has already been printed.
- The practices should therefore in future produce more items “chairside” or quickly send them over to the practice laboratory. 3D printing as a further production method is thus becoming a more and more feasible option here too.
The aggregation of dental data in safe Cloud systems is making different additional services accessible and depending on the structure promotes
- predictive maintenance of the dental equipment
- increased patient satisfaction
- climate-friendly operation
- an improved economic balance
- safe and convenient data transmission between the laboratories, clinics and practices. This allows for a seamless digital workflow regardless of the location and software licences.
Furthermore, we are particularly observing a larger spectrum of
- dental chairs from the pure chair with peripheral devices simply laid out in front through to strongly integrated units.
- A significant trend on the topic of “Sustainability“: The dental industry has an increasing number of offers. These are for a wide range of applications to support the practice and laboratory.
To what extent the current innovations will change the important framework conditions for running a dental practice or laboratory will ensue from the many expert discussions held at the 41st IDS in Cologne from 25 to 29 March 2025. Ultimately, the patients will profit from the new concepts. Techniques, system solutions, and products the dental professionals integrate into their daily work will be to their benefit.