Hi Future Smilers,
First things first, let me assure you that I am no "antidentite," as Seinfeld might say. I have nothing against dentist, not that there is anything wrong with it.
However, I couldn't help but notice a recent breakthrough in the world of dentistry that has me grinning from ear to ear (pun intended).
Researchers in Japan have developed the world's first tooth-regenerating drug, which is now entering testing.
This groundbreaking development could potentially revolutionize the field of dentistry and change the way we approach oral health.
So, I took a step back and looked at the history of dentistry to better understand and mine it for future(s) forecasting.
Did you know that the first dental school in the USA opened its doors in 1840?
To put that into perspective, that's the same year:
- Texas became a state, (see time adjusted map);
- Britain gave up its claim to Oregon;
- William Henry Harrison defeating incumbent Martin Van Buren;
- Claude Monet was born;
- Most people heated their homes by burning wood;
- indoor plumbing was a rarity, no matter what your wealth.
While the world has seen incredible advancements in medical (with or without AI) and technical fields (with or without Moore's Law) since then, dentistry has seemed to remain relatively stagnant.
So, what the heck were they doing all that time??
There is a desperate, desperate, need for affordable and accessible dental care worldwide.
Moreover, alleged insurance payment scandals involving the overprescribing of fillings have recently started coming to light.
It's surprising to learn that dentists today spend anywhere from 20% to 50% of their day performing filling procedures.
But back to the tooth-regenerating drug. This innovative treatment works by stimulating the growth of new tooth material, effectively replacing lost or damaged teeth.
The implications of this breakthrough are enormous, as it could potentially eliminate the need for fillings, crowns, and even dentures.
Looking even further into the near-future(s), this process may re-jumpstart using 3D printing of bones from precise MRI measurement's using calcium-based materials.
Much of the cellular activity in a bone consists of removal and replacement at the same site, a process called remodeling.
The remodeling process occurs throughout life and becomes dominant by the time that bone reaches its peak mass (typically by the early 20s). Remodeling continues throughout life so that most of the adult skeleton is replaced about every 10 years.
Imagine a world where you could replace any part of your skeletal system with a perfectly matched, 3D-printed replacement.
The possibilities are just beginning!
As we look towards the future of medical arts, it's essential to keep these challenges in mind while also celebrating the incredible advancements being made.
The tooth-regenerating drug developed in Japan is just one example of how future(s) thinking, and innovation can transform an entire field and improve the lives of countless individuals.
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Be well and happy,
Rich
