Technological Future Predictors

As dental laboratory technology continues to improve upon its manufacturing capabilities, we as a dental laboratory community are at an exciting crossroads and the future is indeed bright. Although there are diverse levels of adoption, it is unquestionable that most dental laboratories deploy some digital manufacturing processes, whether they are outsourcing partially or fabricating fully in house, the vast majority of full-service and fixed laboratories have already made use of the robust benefits and efficiencies of digital manufacturing with CAD/CAM. The implementation of removable prosthetics like digital dentures is fully supported to where the level of adoption will mimic that of fixed, but at a significantly faster process and acceptance.

If, like me, you appreciate identifying correlations of similar processes and developments, these observations can oftentimes become good indicators of what is to come next in our technological evolution. I humbly believe that we are embarking upon an appreciable pivot in the market's appetite affecting future manufacturers' innovation, energy, and focus. The technology we utilize has proven to be viable and can provide us, our dentist clientele, and their patients with the best restorative outcomes. The technology we have at our disposal has reached a remarkably elevated level of precision and consistency, and the increase of another few microns in accuracy or a few milliseconds faster production is of less importance now and will not move the needle in terms of further adoption or innovation.