IDS 2013 Offers First Look at Emerging Innovations

The coveted first-place award in Candulor's KunstZahnWerk Competition—known as the Oscars of Removable Prosthetics—went to Skender Ramadani from Zurich. Coming in 2014: Candulor's second North American "Art of Denture" Competition.

Are digital dentures coming our way? Also, to meet the growing demand for removable restorations, several manufacturers introduced new teeth and other accompanying products to enhance function, esthetics and efficiency.

The proliferation of digital technologies continued to flourish at the IDS, with more and more digital manufacturing solutions that enable users to address a greater number of applications and work with a larger range of materials. In addition, the 3D printing market continues to expand.

Among the newer features in digital impression-taking systems are smaller-than-ever intraoral devices and color technology. Also: several new players enter the market.

To expand indications and features, several companies introduced updated versions of their impression and model scanners and upgraded software packages.

Zirconia-reinforced materials are a new trend, and expanded options for pre-colored zirconia and ceramics for full contour restorations offer both efficiency and esthetics. Plus, a new type of material: a biocompatible, millable resin on which the final restoration can be built; there's no need for casting or pressing.