What happened in the dental world in 2024?
With 2024 done and dusted, I wanted to take a look back at some of the biggest news from the dental space last year.
We can't start a yearly round-up without mentioning the world's first fully automated robotic dentistry procedure. Back in August Perceptive performed fully robotic arm dental surgery for the first time ever - with claims that crowns could be completed in just 15 minutes compared to the current manual method that takes two hours. Interested to see how this story unfolds!
And they didn't stop there, Perceptive also successfully completed early feasibility trials with PDS Health for their 3D intraoral OCT system in what's being called a 'landmark study'.
In another world-first, LightForce secured $50 million in funding - they're makers of the first fully personalised 3D brace brackets system.
DentalMonitoring's leading AI-powered remote monitoring orthodontic system received De Novo approval from the FDA in the US, meaning it can now be used by orthodontists in clinical practice.
Biolux Technology announced $4.5m in funding which they’re using to launch a smart digital platform for their flagship OrthoPulse - think real-time monitoring and treatment optimisation that'll benefit patients and orthodontists!
It wouldn’t be a 2024 round-up without mentioning AI, and back in July Pearl - a Cali-based dental AI start-up- landed $58m in investment which they'll use to expand their line of dental AI products.
And, most recently, scientists at KCL have designed a new type of dentures that attach with octopus-style suckers. These have twice the amount of retention compared to standard dentures and remove the need for adhesives too - are we looking at the future of dentures here?