Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT, is a professor of restorative dentistry at New York City College of Technology (CUNY), executive editor of Inside Dental Technology, and a former dental laboratory owner. With experience spanning laboratory operations, education, and consulting, Alter examines how artificial intelligence, digitization, zirconia, and automation are changing dentistry and dental technology. He also explores how integrated digital workflows can strengthen collaboration between dentists and technicians while improving predictability and the patient experience.
Inside Dentistry (ID): What do you see as the most significant trends shaping dentistry currently?
Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT: Artificial intelligence is the most significant force shaping dentistry today, because it touches every part of the profession. It is already influencing diagnostics, treatment planning, restorative design, practice management, and patient communication. Unlike earlier technologies that improved one step of the process, AI is reshaping the entire continuum of care. The practitioners who understand both its capabilities and its limits will define the standard for the next generation of dentistry.
ID: What trends are having the greatest impact on dental laboratories and the work they provide for dentists?
Alter: Digitization and zirconia have transformed the laboratory landscape more than any developments in recent memory. Together, they changed how restorations are designed, the materials we trust, and the speed and consistency with which we deliver. We are now at an intersection of innovative care and integrated technology, where precision, efficiency, and clinical outcomes continue to improve with each generation of equipment and materials. At the same time, the shortage of skilled technicians is accelerating the adoption of automation, which makes the laboratory's expertise in applying these tools more valuable, not less.
ID: How are digital technologies changing the relationship and workflow between dentists and dental laboratories?
Alter: When implemented correctly, and between open, like-minded professionals, digital technology creates a far stronger relationship than the traditional model ever allowed. It enables the dentist and technician to function as a true restorative team, sharing data in real time and making decisions together, with the patient as the focal point. The benefits are substantial: better communication, fewer remakes, more predictable outcomes, and ultimately the best possible result for the patient. Technology does not replace the partnership; it makes a genuine partnership possible.
ID: Looking ahead, what developments should dentists be paying particular attention to?
Alter: Dentists should focus on how technology can deliver a better patient experience. Patients now approach healthcare as consumers, and like consumers everywhere, they expect something distinctive: convenience, clarity, and confidence in the outcome. Technology allows dentists to provide exactly that, from digital impressions that replace uncomfortable trays to visual treatment previews that help patients understand and commit to their care. When technology is used this way, it elevates the experience for everyone involved: the patient, the clinical team, and the laboratory.
