Dentistry and the tools to improve the dental field have come a long way from the days of George Washington, when he endured painful metal dentures made with horse and cow teeth.

Thanks to technology, the evolution of dentistry is improving patient care. One key milestone for the Department of Defense came in November 2020 when doctors conducted the first jaw reconstruction surgery using 3D-printed teeth.

Some major advances in dentistry include advances in imaging technology, such as 3D imaging, computer aided design and 3D printing, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Daniel Hammer, a maxillofacial surgical oncologist and reconstructive surgeon at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). Hammer took part in the first surgery implanting the 3D-printed teeth.

"We are able to obtain 3D imaging of the facial skeleton with increased accuracy and decreased radiation dose," Hammer said.

They can use 3D images to plan reconstruction of the patient's face with unprecedented accuracy, he added.

"These [digital] impressions are more accurate and do not require additional laboratory work," said Hammer. "If a physical model is needed, we're able to print the scan on our 3D printers."

By leveraging computer-aided design, he said, doctors can now print or mill the final teeth or surgical guides at NMCSD.

These types of advances in dental technologies have improved patient outcomes as well as treatment options and clinical scheduling, said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Mike Andersen, a maxillofacial prosthodontist at NMCSD.

Doctors are now able to do far more in a single surgical procedure. "We're able to combine numerous surgical procedures that were once split up over years of treatment," he said.

As a bonus, the advances make patients more willing to get treatment when needed, Andersen said.

He admits he's still in awe of being able to immediately see the patient's teeth on the machine in real time.

"The ability to immediately transfer that data to our imaging software to discuss and plan cases with our team is unbelievably more accurate, consistent, and predictable than traditional methods," he added.