Discover how AI, 3D printing, and cloud integration are transforming dentistry in 2025.
3Shape's Rune Fisker shares industry insights every forward-thinking dental professional needs to know in this episode of Digital Dentistry Decoded - the iDD podcast.
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AI Revolution in Dental Diagnostics
The undisputed frontrunner in dental technology trends for 2025 is generative AI. An astonishing 18% of American dental professionals have already integrated AI into their workflows, with another 66% actively considering adoption. This isn't just hype—it's a paradigm shift.
"AI and generative AI is the undisputed trend," notes Rune Fisker, VP of Product Strategy at 3Shape.
"We see the first tools coming in, with the most pronounced benefits in x-ray analysis, where more than 20 startups are running AI applications."
Beyond diagnostics, AI is poised to transform practice efficiency through voice recognition during patient visits. Imagine dictating notes directly into your practice management system rather than documenting manually. AI assistants could function as virtual scribes, capturing and organizing clinical information while you focus on patient care.
The integration of AI with intraoral scans presents particularly fertile ground for innovation. Unlike current rudimentary applications that simply apply generic language models to scan images, the future lies in sophisticated diagnostic analysis that enhances patient communication.
Patient Experience Goes Digital
Digital consumerism has infiltrated every aspect of modern life, and dentistry is no exception. Research from 3Shape reveals that 78% of patients value personalized dental care guidance, while a staggering 90% consider seeing their scan highly valuable.
"We are all digital consumers," Rune emphasizes. "You are used to this great digital consumer experience when you shop online or watch movies on Netflix. We as dental professionals need to deliver a digital experience for the patient."
The potential extends far beyond simply showing patients their scans. AI analysis can provide an objective layer of information, making communication more effective and educational. Treatment simulations allow patients to visualize outcomes before committing to procedures—a powerful tool for case acceptance.
The challenge lies in making these tools practical in busy clinical settings. Solutions must be lightning-fast, requiring minimal additional effort from practitioners while delivering genuinely relevant information to patients.
Intraoral Scanners: From Luxury to Necessity
The inexorable march toward digital impressions continues, with US scanner penetration reaching 57%. Global adoption lags at approximately 35%, signaling substantial growth potential in emerging markets.
The ubiquity of scanners is reflected in usage statistics. 3Shape's TRIOS scanners alone documented 26.5 million patient scans last year—more than one per second globally—with a 39% year-over-year growth in case volume.
"I believe ultimately there will be a scanner at every chair, and we will scan every patient every time, at least very regularly," predicts Rune Fisker.
While premium scanners maintain their market position, the influx of affordable options from Chinese manufacturers is democratizing access. This competitive landscape benefits practitioners and patients by accelerating innovation while reducing entry barriers.
3D Printing Eclipses Milling
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that 3D printing has surpassed milling in dental practice adoption. According to recent research, 15% of US dental practices now utilize 3D printers, outnumbering those with milling units despite the latter's decades-long market presence.
This seismic shift stems from multiple factors: dramatically lower equipment costs, expanding material options, and simplified workflows championed by companies like SprintRay. Most practices currently print models, retainers, whitening trays, and splints, with temporary crowns gaining popularity.
"We do see quite a lot of design being done," Rune notes. "Last year we saw half a million models being designed on TRIOS cases, and more than a million guides being made with Implant Studio."
The trajectory of 3D printing hinges on material development. While permanent printed restorations remain elusive, Rune acknowledges we're potentially "only one innovation away" from a breakthrough—particularly in the economy segment.
Cloud Integration: Connecting Digital Dots
The proliferation of digital tools has created a paradoxical challenge: disconnected workflows that require manual intervention to transfer data between systems. Cloud integration promises to unify these disparate elements into cohesive ecosystems.
"We have all these great tools, but they're not talking together," Rune explains. "You need to be sometimes a small tech-magician to get things to work."
Cloud-based platforms offer numerous advantages: anywhere/anytime data access, seamless sharing capabilities, simplified software updates, and enhanced security. Already, 42% of TRIOS users transmit cases directly to platforms like Invisalign or Glidewell through connected workflows.
Implementation challenges persist, particularly regarding internet bandwidth in clinical settings. Unlike consumer applications, dental tools often require substantial data throughput for optimal performance—a reality that doesn't always align with clinic infrastructure.
Technologies Facing Obsolescence
Not all digital innovations will achieve mainstream adoption. Face scanning systems and advanced jaw motion tracking, while technically impressive, remain niche tools for specialists rather than everyday clinical necessities.
Photogrammetry systems for full-arch implant cases face particular pressure as intraoral scanning improves. "It might actually be the end of photogrammetry systems," Rune predicts, citing advances in elongated scan bodies that enable reliable digital workflows for All-on-X cases.
The In-House CAD/CAM Conundrum
Despite the advantages of same-day restorations, in-house milling has struggled to penetrate beyond 10-15% of practices. Cost barriers, workflow complexity, and competitive lab pricing have limited adoption.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny, host of Digital Dentistry Decoded, challenges this status quo, citing clinical and financial benefits of in-practice restoration fabrication, particularly for emergency cases.
"When I do emergency treatment over holidays or weekends, you won't believe how many times people come in with a broken tooth, totally new to the practice...I simply tell them I can get it done in about an hour and a half, and they part ways with thousands of dollars." People want things done fast.
The debate illuminates a fundamental tension in digital dentistry adoption: balancing technological capabilities with practical implementation in busy clinical environments.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 unfolds, several developments warrant close attention: SprintRay's Midas printer and permanent crown materials, 3Shape's forthcoming announcements at IDS and Chicago Midwinter, AI-enhanced design software, and cloud systems that genuinely improve clinical efficiency.
Digital dentistry continues its transformation from future possibility to present reality. Practitioners who navigate this evolutionary landscape thoughtfully will position themselves for sustained clinical and business success in an increasingly digital profession.
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