Introduction

The dental industry is going through a substantial transition as a result of unprecedented factors such as COVID-19 impacts, rapid technology innovation, rising inflation, a tightening labor market, and an aging population in need of more dental treatments.

When the new year begins, it is time to examine the current trends in dentistry for 2023 and how they will affect dentistry. To learn more about what the future holds for dental care, keep reading.

Dental Industry Statistics

Let’s now take a look at some data from the dental industry in 2022 that may help us predict what will happen in 2023. The first thing you should know is that the dental market in the United States is expanding rapidly. Dental surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and cosmetic dentistry together accounted for a $162.1 billion sector in 2021. Although final figures for 2022 are not yet available, experts expect that the industry will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.24% through 2027.

The following continue to be the main forces for growth:

• Plastic surgeries
• implant dentistry
• innovative dental technologies

We also have an older population in the United States, which implies there is higher need for dental care in general. Here are some other statistics to consider as 2023 approaches.

• The dental implant market in the United States is about $1.1 billion, and the global market is worth $4.6 billion, with a 9.8% annual growth rate.
• The global market for cosmetic procedures was $29.6 billion in 2021 and is predicted to expand at a 13% yearly rate.
• According to the CDC, only 64.9% of adults and 85.9% of children visited a dentist in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.

These figures illustrate that there is room for expansion for every dental practice across the nation.

Top 8 latest Trends in Dentistry

Here are the top 8 trends you should be on the lookout for.

1. Convenience

Although not a technical advance, it is important to recognise the growing importance of convenience. Recently, there has been a strong emphasis on patient comfort and convenience in healthcare, and dentistry is no different. Patients today have a range of options when choosing healthcare providers, so it seems natural that they would choose the one that is the simplest and most comfortable for them.

For instance, extended office hours, online payments, new services, and online portals for scheduling appointments and completing forms all work to enhance the patient experience.

2.Teledentistry

One of the most significant phenomena to emerge from the epidemic is telehealth, and it appears that it will persist. Teledentistry may have some disadvantages, such as the lack of direct care, but it also has a lot of benefits.

For the 20% of Americans who live in rural areas and struggle to access care, teledentistry makes it possible. Teledentistry has also been shown to be as successful as in-person consultations in diagnosing cavities and offering treatment recommendations.

3. Emotional Dentistry

On a similar note to convenience, emotional dentistry is one of the most intriguing recent trends. Emotional dentistry, as the name implies, focuses on the emotional and mental aspects of dentistry, rather than only the physical ones. Emotional dentistry makes use of cutting-edge techniques and technology to provide virtual images of the patient’s appearance following surgery. Also, this could help patients select the best procedure for their needs.

Emotional dentistry has proven significant improvements in patient experience, particularly in cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, and orthodontics. When used properly, it can ease their anxiety and boost their confidence in their decision-making.

4. Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is one of the largest trends in dentistry, along with 3D printing. Prior to the invention of laser dentistry, procedures like cavity filling and gum repair required invasive and frequently unpleasant processes. In some instances, laser dentistry can even take the role of dental drills to remove or reshape tissue, fill cavities, and perform other procedures.

Laser dentistry enables less invasive oral surgery, which eliminates the need for sutures. Moreover, it permits less bleeding, minimal to no discomfort, quicker healing, and a decreased danger of infection.

5. 3D Printing

The global 3D market is predicted to grow by 21% between 2021 and 2028. Because of its accessibility and lower costs, 3D printing is on its way to becoming more widespread, allowing it to play a much larger role in dental practices. 3D printing uses resins and dramatically accelerates the process of making personalized dentures, crowns, clear teeth aligners, and other dental devices.

Additional new uses are even coming to light as 3D technology progresses, with general dentistry, implantology, and prosthodontics all standing to profit.

6. Consolidated Practices

Just 50% of dental practices are currently run by single practitioners, a steadily declining number. One reason for this could be the typical dentistry school graduate’s student loan debt, which is around $300,000.

Also, it can be challenging for individual dentists to finance the expenses associated with starting and running a dental practice. These issues can be resolved while ensuring a fully-stocked dental practice with the help of group dentistry.

7. Subscription-Based Coverage

The dentistry industry has a high amount of financial hurdles, causing many people to avoid care. In actuality, 69% of individuals who don’t get dental treatment do so because they can’t afford it. Even for people who have dental insurance, it might be difficult to locate a facility that accepts their policy.

That is where subscription dental plans come in. For a yearly or monthly fee, subscription services can pay for cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and even surgery. It is advantageous to both patients and dental clinics that have membership plans, according to studies showing that 83% of consumers favor them.

8. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a trend in the dental industry that offers a creative method of reaching out to patients on social media. A social media influencer is a person with a large following who will promote your practice to their followers in exchange for cash. Influencer marketing can be utilized on Facebook and TikTok in addition to Instagram, where it is most commonly practiced.

The key to properly using influencer marketing is knowing which influencers are best suited to communicate to your target audience. In general, you should seek out influencers that are well-versed in dentistry, very likable, and regarded by their audience.

Conclusion

That concludes our list of major dental industry trends to watch. Several of this year’s dentistry trends are centered on enhancing patient care. The dental industry, in particular, is working to improve the comfort, affordability, and ease of dental treatments.

Though the dental industry is not the first to adopt cutting-edge innovations, it is well on its way to embracing a plethora of new modern conveniences.