HDG NEWS
The Rise of Digital Dentistry
16th May 2025
The days of dreading a trip to the dentist are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to advancements in technology, materials, and techniques, patients today experience better results than ever before - making visits to the dentist more comfortable, efficient, effective, and even enjoyable.
Here’s how modern innovations are revolutionising dental procedures and enhancing patient outcomes.
Digital Diagnostics and Planning
Gone are the days of messy molds and uncomfortable impressions. Digital dentistry now offers tools like 3D digital scanners, which capture detailed images of the teeth and gums with incredible accuracy.
At Hertfordshire Dental Group, we’re able to perform complex procedures like bone grafts and sinus lifts to restore areas of the jawbone that have shrunk with age using a CBCT scan to determine the extent of bone loss.
CBCT (or Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans are used to create detailed 3D images of the patient's jawbone and oral structures.
This allows us to evaluate bone density, and identify critical anatomical features, which can’t be seen on a normal X-ray.
Meanwhile, our cutting-edge iTero intraoral scanners take detailed 3D scans of your teeth, gums and bite to get a complete view of your whole mouth in minutes.
These digital scans allow for highly precise diagnoses and accurate treatment planning.
Materials That Mimic Nature
Advancements in dental materials are also transforming the field. For example, composite fillings and ceramic restorations are now stronger and more lifelike than ever before. These materials not only provide a natural appearance but also bond seamlessly with the tooth, ensuring durability and better preservation of healthy tooth structure.
Check out some of our incredible before and after transformations replacing amalgam fillings with white composite fillings.
Meanwhile, dental implants - made from biocompatible materials such as titanium - have become the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, implants are designed to integrate with the jawbone, offering a permanent solution that looks and functions just like natural teeth.
Minimally Invasive Techniques
Modern techniques focus on preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Innovations like adhesive dentistry make it possible to restore damaged teeth with minimal drilling, reducing pain and the risk of complications.
Orthodontics has also seen a shift toward minimally invasive solutions. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, have become a popular alternative to traditional braces. These removable aligners are discreet, comfortable, and allow for better oral hygiene throughout treatment - leading to improved patient satisfaction.
Using state-of-the-art technology, we will assess your suitability for Invisalign. If you’re a good candidate, we’ll take digital impressions and photographs to create a detailed virtual 3D treatment plan using ClinCheck which will map out the projected movements of your teeth, provide a visualisation of your expected results, and outline the estimated duration of your orthodontic treatment.
Rapid Turnaround Times
Computer-aided design and manufacturing has also revolutionised the creation of dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and veneers. Our dentists can now design and fabricate these restorations quickly - sometimes on the same day - such as with our All-On-4 dental implant procedure.
That’s why this dental implant treatment is often referred to as “Teeth in a Day” as patients can leave the clinic with a high quality temporary restoration, designed to be worn throughout the healing phase. This not only serves as a functional solution but also a valuable guide for planning the final, permanent smile.
Using fast and minimally invasive techniques can also be particularly beneficial for anxious patients.
What Lies Ahead
As technology continues to evolve, the future of dentistry is bound to deliver even more benefits for patients. Artificial intelligence is already being used for diagnostic purposes, while 3D printing is revolutionising the production of crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Just last month, scientists at King’s College London made a remarkable breakthrough by successfully growing human teeth in a lab - paving the way for a natural alternative to artificial implants.
With innovations like these, the dental field is not only solving existing problems but also preventing future issues.
With greater precision, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, advancements in dental procedures have come a long way. Here at Hertfordshire Dental Group we’re proud to boast the latest technology to ensure that you receive the best and most precise care during your treatment with us.
Digital scanning facilities are available at both of our practices in Hertford and Ware, meaning that we can get a complete picture of your mouth all at once without referring you elsewhere. It’s just one of the many reasons new patients choose us and other dentists across Hertfordshire refer patients to us.
“I’m actually looking forward to the next appointment”
We are proud to be the trusted choice for thousands of families in the Hertfordshire area and we consistently receive 5-star reviews from our patients.
Whether you're coming in for a routine dental check-up, feeling nervous about your visit, or getting ready for a more complex procedure, our compassionate and supportive team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Call us on 01920 465908 to find out about our free consultations or book online now.
