Jack Kilby was awarded the Noble Prize in physics for the year 2000; he invented the microprocessor early 1960, the “Chip” that changed the world. His inventions and Robert Noyce inventions of the integrated circuit laid the foundation for the digital revolution era. Computers the symbol of this revolution; are machines that can augment and amplify human intelligence. The instant and extended acquisition of intelligence combined with techniques for rational analyses are becoming integral to human decisions making. Digital revolution is constantly producing machines that can augment human technical abilities significantly. The digital revolution has created a symbiotic relation between man and machine with remarkable outcomes.
Only recently dentistry has become a part of this revolution. Presently, the digital dental revolution provides intelligence solutions to practitioners to augment cognition and minimize biases in decision-making. This is considered the foundation of evidence-based dentistry. Also, the digital dental revolution is providing technology solutions, new applications and new materials to the profession. Such digital advancements are augmenting the cognitive and technical abilities of the dentist to new frontiers. Computer assisted design and computer assisted manufacturing cad cam applications in dentistry are expanding the abilities of the general practitioner and the specialist to deliver difficult and complex treatments not only with ease but also with success. These digital advancements provide modern contemporary treatments that are efficient, predictable and with consistent outcomes.
Digital revolution is changing dentistry at unprecedented rate due to the fast flow of innovations, technologies and treatment modalities. Much of what we do today did not exist years ago and much of what will be done tomorrow do not exist today.
This presentation will overview the development of digital dentistry and will examine the present status of its integration within the field. A rational analysis of available intelligence related to digital treatment modalities and material used will be presented. Challenges for mainstream dentistry to be a part of the digital dental revolution will be discussed.