CalBots: Nanorobots target tooth sensitivity at the source

Researchers at India’s IISc, in partnership with Theranautilus, have developed magnetic "CalBots"—400-nm bioceramic nanobots guided into dentinal tubules by magnetic fields. Once there, they self-assemble into durable plugs that recreate the tooth’s natural barrier, offering durable relief from sensitivity. In studies, mice treated with CalBots showed 100% behavioral recovery, effectively drinking cold water again after treatment. Because nearly 25% of the global population suffers from dental hypersensitivity, this innovation could greatly improve quality of life with just a single application

Light therapy device accelerates healing after dental procedures

Griffith University researchers unveiled “Nuralyte™,” a new light-based therapy tool roughly the size of an electric toothbrush. Tested in July, it enhanced mitochondrial activity and gene expression in bone-forming stem cells—key for accelerating healing and managing post-procedural pain. This technology could soon become a routine addition to post-operative care in dental surgeries, reducing recovery time and improving patient comfort

Digital Dentistry Symposium debuts with focus on workflows

On June 27, the first-ever Digital Dentistry Symposium launched as a virtual event, spotlighting the latest digital workflows, restorative materials, and clinical tools. This marks the beginning of a new educational series, with upcoming sessions set to explore areas such as 3D printing, implantology, and aligner therapy. It aims to empower clinicians globally with timely insights in a format both convenient and forward-looking

Experimental drug in human trials enables tooth regeneration

A groundbreaking experimental therapy in Japan is now in human trials, targeting the protein USAG-1—a key suppressor of tooth development. The drug works by blocking USAG-1, allowing dormant tooth buds to regrow a functional tooth. The first human trial, focusing on children with congenital tooth agenesis, began in earnest this year, building on promising preclinical results. Scientists aim for wider public availability by 2030. This innovation represents a major leap toward regenerating natural teeth without implants or prosthetics, potentially revolutionizing dental care and offering hope for those who lack conventional dental replacement options

Stem-cell tooth regeneration edges closer to reality

Following April’s lab-grown teeth announcement, multiple research groups have pushed forward with stem-cell approaches to replacing lost teeth. Current clinical trials in Japan and the U.S. are exploring therapies to regenerate tooth structures for patients with congenital tooth agenesis—a condition that affects about 1 in 700 births. While commercial treatments are still years away, researchers envision a future where a patient’s own cells can be harvested to grow a biologically identical replacement tooth in situ. This could dramatically reduce the need for prosthetics, lower long-term costs, and most importantly, restore both function and natural appearance in ways implants never could.

Henry Schein targets net-zero emissions by 2050

Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of dental products and services, announced that its climate targets have officially been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company is now committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, with interim goals to cut direct emissions by 50% by 2030. This is particularly impactful because Henry Schein supplies over 1 million dental offices and labs globally, meaning greener practices could ripple across the industry. The move aligns with a growing sustainability trend in healthcare, where eco-friendly packaging and reduced water usage in clinics are becoming priorities.

ToothForge: AI generates digital 3D tooth shapes in milliseconds

Researchers introduced “ToothForge,” an AI-driven program capable of generating highly detailed 3D tooth models almost instantly. Traditional modeling methods can take hours of technician time, but ToothForge compresses this into milliseconds by using a novel spectral alignment process. The software is especially promising for orthodontics and prosthodontics, where accurate tooth shapes are critical for aligners, crowns, and implants. Digital dentistry is already booming—with over 90% of U.S. dental labs now using CAD/CAM tools—and innovations like ToothForge may cut costs while further personalizing treatment.

AI-powered smile design transforms cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has always been about combining science with artistry, and AI is now amplifying both. New AI-driven platforms analyze a patient’s facial proportions, lip line, and natural tooth shade to generate a digital “before and after” smile model in minutes. This allows patients to preview potential veneers or whitening treatments before committing. Dentists report that chairside consultations have become faster and more convincing, with acceptance rates for cosmetic procedures increasing by up to 40% when patients see a digital simulation. In a global cosmetic dentistry market worth $30 billion and growing 6% annually, AI is quickly becoming an indispensable tool.

Robotic precision: Haptic tele-operation in dental procedures

A new tele-operated robotic system is pushing dentistry toward a more precise and less invasive future. Developed by researchers in Europe, the platform uses haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of drilling through enamel and dentin, allowing operators to maintain control even from a distance. Early tests on dental phantoms showed accuracy improvements of up to 30% compared with manual procedures. This type of technology could not only aid in delicate surgeries like root canal treatments but also enable remote dental care in underserved or rural regions, where access to specialists remains limited.

Ivoclar’s game-changing zirconia and composite launch

At IDS 2025—the world’s largest dental trade show in Cologne—Ivoclar introduced two headline products: ZirCAD Prime and Tetric plus. ZirCAD Prime offers exceptional translucency, making zirconia crowns nearly indistinguishable from natural enamel, while maintaining the strength needed for molars. Tetric plus, on the other hand, is a universal composite with an advanced filler system that improves polishability and longevity. Together, they simplify the restorative process, reducing chair time for dentists and discomfort for patients. Considering that more than 120 million dental crowns are placed annually worldwide, innovations like these can significantly impact both efficiency and patient satisfaction.

ADA Forsyth Institute unveils a high-tech new home

The American Dental Association’s Forsyth Institute celebrated the grand opening of its new Somerville, MA headquarters in April, a building designed with innovation and sustainability in mind. The facility is LEED-Platinum certified, powered largely by renewable energy, and features labs equipped for cutting-edge oral health research, including microbiome studies and digital dentistry testing. The center also houses a modern teaching clinic, where patients can access affordable care while dental students gain hands-on training. With Forsyth’s long history as the first independent dental research institute in the U.S., this move symbolizes a blending of tradition with the future of eco-friendly, community-focused dentistry.

Lab-grown human teeth offer a future beyond implants

This spring, UK scientists reported a breakthrough in regenerative dentistry: they successfully grew fully developed human teeth in the lab. Using stem cells and advanced tissue-engineering scaffolds, the team recreated both the enamel and dentin layers—two of the hardest tissues in the human body. The hope is that within the next decade, patients who lose teeth could receive a biologically grown replacement instead of an implant or bridge. With over 178 million Americans missing at least one tooth, and global dental implant sales projected to exceed $6 billion by 2030, the potential for natural replacements is enormous.