A view of the future: dentistry and oral health in America.
BACKGROUND
New tools are enabling researchers to understand the mysteries of oral biology and disease and to change profoundly the treatment of oral, dental and craniofacial diseases and disorders. The authors explore advances in modern science and technology and how they will change oral health care in the future.


RESULTS
Emerging technologies such as salivary diagnostics, high-resolution imaging and nanotechnologies, as well as other new tools will lead to efficient and highly effective personalized dental treatments. A new generation of cell-based therapies will be available for regenerating tissues, and anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications will be tailored to maximize efficacy and safety. Large teams of clinicians and scientists will tackle increasingly complex problems, and advances in computational sciences will make it possible to create virtual teams across the world. Information technology systems will enable clinicians to examine and integrate information obtained from all databases in cyberspace.


CONCLUSIONS
As scientists discover newer and better methods to preempt and prevent disease, they must translate these methods into tools for people at greatest risk of developing disease. Conquering the array of complex diseases that affect the oral and craniofacial complex will require multifaceted strategies and multidisciplinary cooperation.
Garcia
Isabel
I
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Building 31, Room 2C39, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. GarciaI@mail.nih.gov
Tabak
Lawrence A
LA
D003729:Dental Care; D018865:Dental Research / Q000639:trends; D003813:Dentistry / Q000639:trends*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009909:Oral Health; D057285:Precision Medicine; D012586:Science / Q000639:trends; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States