Implementation of advanced technologies – the basis for the development of modern dentistry

Purpose of the paper is to analyse the development of dentistry from ancient times to the present day, to reveal the role of advanced technologies in the development of modern dentistry and to outline the requirements for the knowledge and skills of dentists and dental technicians in the digital era of the new global world.The work is based mostly on the author’s own research. It illustrates examples of problems in dentistry that the application of engineering approaches and advanced production technologies has solved.It has been shown that implementing digital and CAD/CAM technologies can change the conventional treatment plan with fixed partial dentures to a semi- or fully digitalised protocol. It has been proven that for the successful application of advanced technologies in clinical practice, clinicians should have interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of dentistry, new materials, CAD/CAM design, and production processes. The profession of dental technician requires a high level of computer skills, working with specialised automated equipment and constantly upgrading qualifications.Due to the very fast development of the materials and technologies for manufacturing dental restorations, not all of them are included in the present paper.The advanced technologies, improved world communications and globalisation allow for flexibility in selecting a dental laboratory with the most suitable equipment for producing a particular dental construction. Therefore, the present study would greatly interest dental clinics and laboratories.Nowadays, dental treatment synergistically depends on new technologies in clinics and dental laboratories. The development of modern dentistry is based on the mutual understanding between the dentist and the dental technician on the specifics, implementation and application of the advanced technologies.