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38 innovations DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JANUARY-MARCH 2025

IDS 2025: KEY TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS

IDS 2025 showcased numerous innovations, with a focus on digital den- more frequently possible to do without additional abrasives; they only
tistry, 3D printing, and AI-driven solutions and remains the epicenter of remain absolutely necessary when processing titanium (as a rule for abut-
dental innovation. ments). Advanced 5x dry mills especially impress with a more efficient pro-
We are no longer in the era where we saw just individual technological cessing of the hardest materials (namely cobalt chrome).
improvements; instead, we have full systems working together in tandem
aptly termed “connected dentistry”. Intraoral scanners and 3D printing are The users are faced with more and more options, particularly in the addi-
quickly becoming a norm rather than an exception. What's really exciting is tive manufacturing section. In the metal printing section these include the
that artificial intelligence is now being integrated throughout the entire dig- laser metal fusion technology (LMF), the selective laser melting method
ital process. (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)
and lasercusing. All of the cited methods are used to produce crowns,
The Phenomenal Surge of 3D Printing continues bridges and denture bases ("digital model casting bases") from non-precious
The enthusiasm surrounding 3D printing is undeniable, as emerging tech- metal dental alloys.
nologies in this field are experiencing rapid growth! Practically all conceivable geometrics can be realized. This makes differ-
This year’s IDS revealed some truly amazing advancements and alliances ent steps superfluous: For instance a separation between the bridge ele-
among industry titans. The evolution of 3D printing from a specialized tool ments or a milling cutter radius correction. Instead the dental technician
for models and surgical aids to a dominant force in applications ranging enjoys plenty of space and can integrate retentions for plastic veneers and
from clear aligners to permanent restorations was clear. undercuts into every object without further ado.
The highlight was the strategic alliances formed between major players
and 3D printing pioneers, underscoring a significant realization: additive Key developments in Orthodontics
manufacturing is not merely an option; it is essential for the future of den- Many different developments are coming together in the field of orthodon-
tal production. tics. For instance, there are the first 3D printed attachments.
Leading zirconia and ceramic manufacturers are now Their advantages include high precision, durability and colour
embracing 3D printing as a fundamental to their future strate- stability. These attachments are among other things used for
gies. New printers are achieving unparalleled speed, accuracy, correcting slightly misaligned teeth prior to restorative treat-
and material compatibility. ments.
On the materials front, the advancements in resin technology For children as well as for patients with narrow jaws, a spe-
are accelerating too, with new options boasting enhanced prop- cially developed splint for relief from acute CMD symptoms is
erties, stunning aesthetics, and biocompatibility. Clearly, 3D now available. It fulfills several functions at the same time,
printing has surged far beyond its initial potential, establishing offers both neuromuscular relief, helps correct adapted pos-
itself as a transformative force in dental manufacturing. The tures and balances occlusal interferences. Beyond this, it can
pressing question now is not whether 3D printing will eclipse traditional also be used as diagnostics for recognising CMD-related symptoms at an
methods, but how soon that will happen! early stage.
For the bruxism therapy, special splints bring along an integrated
AI was the buzzword biofeedback mechanism. If the wearer grinds his teeth while sleeping they
At IDS 2025, one technology truly shined: Artificial Intelligence! Gone are vibrate and subtle tone (similar to a mobile phone) at precisely the right
the days when AI was just a term of the future; it has evolved into a vital intensity so they don't wake the bruxers, but gently encourage them to stop
component of contemporary digital dentistry. This year, what's truly grinding their teeth. An integrated data retrieval enables a precise analysis
remarkable is the leap AI has made from being a standalone tool to seam- of individual grinding patterns and opens up new possibilities of stress pre-
lessly integrating into core processes within dental technology. Tasks that vention and patient awareness.
once required extensive manual effort can now be handled with ease, as AI
swiftly assesses needs and crafts sophisticated designs in record time. This Manufacturing options and new business models
transformation is reshaping laboratory workflows, empowering technicians The production of large volumes makes the additive manufacturing of den-
to concentrate on personalization and refinement rather than design tasks! tal technology items really effective. Up to 100 crowns fit on a standard con-
struction platform with a 100 millimetre radius, which can then be printed
Cloud-based dentistry in five hours – in three hours indeed using a double laser system. Apart from
The biggest innovative power across all different areas of dentistry lies in crowns, the printable items also include bridges, bars and supraconstruc-
the consolidation of all relevant information in secure Cloud systems. tions as well as all implant-supported items like single abutments, telescop-
Uploading files instead of sending them by e-mail or Wetransfer, download- ic crowns, primary and secondary parts, orthodontic appliances, model
ing software and thus benefitting from the progress in Artificial Intelligence casting dentures with clasps and partial dentures.
– this idea is no longer a vague vision today, but a tangible reality. These The business models are also shifting due to the additive construction of
platforms are evolving beyond just storage to connect all aspects of the dig- metal structures. In the individual case it often has to be decided where the
ital workflow. The shift is driven by the realization that standalone tools, no items should be produced: in one's own laboratory, in the cooperation lab,
matter how advanced, can disrupt daily operations. The emphasis has at the central manufacturers or industrial service.
moved from individual device capabilities to the need for seamless integra- The speed is a huge advantage here. This means supplying several teeth
tion across workflows. (or several patients) after fillings have failed will become a "totally normal"
Cloud platforms place the focus on safe and convenient data transmis- therapy option. Because several crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers can be
sion between the laboratories, clinics and practices. The aim is the immedi- produced simultaneously within a few minutes and delivered to the respec-
ate availability of all required data for a seamless digital workflow, for tive practices.
example from the intraoral scan through to the milled or printed crown or As well as metals and plastics, ceramics can also be manufactured using
bridge - all regardless of the location and software licenses. additive production. In this way, in the course of a pilot project a subpe-
IDS 2025 highlighted that the future of dentistry is not just digital but riosteal jaw implant has already been printed and inserted into the patient's
cloud-connected. mouth in one single intervention without bone augmentation.
A novel digital workflow especially for total prosthesis is available. It
Ability for continuous milling in dental technology involves a two-step milling process. It combines a tooth-coloured PMMA
Four-axle CAD/CAM milling machines comply with the desire for top per- disc with a classic denture resin and eliminates time-consuming bonding.
formance in continuous operation with spindle water cooling – targeting An efficient aesthetic design can be achieved based on tooth libraries. The
the operating area between the tool and the workpiece. This means it is full dentures are ready after possible (minor) manual adjustments.