“IDS makes both established and new procedures and products visible, tangible and assessable”

Mr Pace, a key task in dental practice is the detection of caries. How will this be further improved after IDS 2025 thanks to the advancements being presented at the show?
Over the decades, traditional visual examination with a dental mirror has been complemented by various imaging techniques, including radiographs, fluorescence and transillumination, and now the use of MRI in this regard has been introduced. In the future, the complementary information obtained through these methods will be increasingly integrated into a comprehensive and highly informative diagnostic overview, supported by artificial intelligence (AI). AI-assisted radiographic diagnostics can already be performed fully automatically, allowing dentists to detect early-stage carious lesions with greater precision.

What innovations are being showcased at IDS in the field of direct restorative materials?
For these routine procedures, which are the bread and butter of many practices, aesthetic, tooth-coloured materials are becoming increasingly prevalent. IDS visitors can compare well-established materials with newer ones, such as nano-hybrid ormocers. Additionally, there is a trend towards simplified treatment protocols. I find the development of self-adhesive composites, which bond without the need for a separate adhesive, particularly exciting.

What other key innovations should visitors look out for at IDS 2025?
One area I’d like to highlight is periodontal prophylaxis. MRI will soon enable the early detection of bone loss—significantly earlier than with traditional bleeding on probing tests. This will allow periodontal teams to initiate professional preventive measures in a timely manner. The trend in devices available for this purpose is towards multifunctional systems, which combine an ultrasonic handpiece with a powder–water spray handpiece, making the procedure more convenient for dental teams and more comfortable for patients. In endodontics, digital assistance systems help reduce the risk of file breakage. In implantology, the increasing integration of complementary imaging data enables highly precise backward planning.

Digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in dentistry. Is this progress primarily driven by continuous updates and add-ons, or are we witnessing fundamentally new developments?
I believe that a new level of quality will emerge from the expanded use of cloud computing, which allows digital subprocesses to merge into fully integrated digital workflows. These workflows seamlessly connect practices and labs, enabling both partners to optimally distribute tasks. The production of dental restorations is becoming more flexible: in addition to milling and grinding, 3D printing is increasingly becoming established as a viable alternative.

IDS makes both established and new procedures and products visible, tangible and assessable. Based on the comprehensive information made available, clinical and dental technology teams will be able to make well-informed decisions, and whichever of these advancements they integrate into their daily workflows, it will ultimately benefit their patients.

 

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