Constant Evolution

As I look back on my 25-year career in dentistry, I've seen numerous changes in our profession.  Some of these changes were good and, of course, some were not. There were also many attempts at change that never quite came to fruition. Dentistry is just that-a constantly evolving profession. For those of us who have been around long enough, I think that we would all agree that technology has been the factor that has inspired our profession the most and sparked the greatest amount of change. Although technology may be the impetus, it is often overlooked how materials must also evolve to keep up with the technological advancements.

Bearing this in mind, I can say that materials have advanced to a level that I certainly didn't see coming 25 years ago. Every time we turn around, there's something claiming to be "newer and better" that has been put on the market. Keeping up with material advancements in dentistry can quickly become a full-time job outside of clinical practice. From cements and adhesives to composites, 3D printable resins, lab-fabricated or CAD/CAM materials, and more, we must all strive to stay abreast of the developments, or the profession will leave us behind. Understanding the intentions of new materials is one thing but mastering the science and art of their correct clinical usage is another.