Public Discussion

As of 2026, CBCT is the indisputable gold standard for complex dental procedures in the US, particularly as patient demand for minimally invasive treatments grows.

• Implantology and Guided Surgery: Dental implants account for nearly 48% of advanced dental treatments in the US. CBCT is now used in approximately 91% of implant planning workflows. By using CBCT data to create 3D-printed surgical guides, clinicians have reduced procedural errors by 27% and decreased revision surgeries by 18%.

• Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy): CBCT has redefined endodontic success. While traditional 2D X-rays might only reveal extra canals in 8% of cases, CBCT identifies complex anatomy—such as the elusive "MB2" canal—in over 62% of teeth, significantly reducing treatment failures.

• Airway and TMJ Analysis: There is a rising trend in using CBCT for sleep apnea screening. By providing a volumetric 3D view of the upper airway, dentists can calculate airway volume and identify obstructions, facilitating more effective oral appliance…

The biggest trend for 2026 is the move from "filling" to "stimulating." Practitioners are increasingly using products that trigger the body’s own healing mechanisms.

• Biostimulators (Sculptra & Radiesse): These have largely replaced traditional thick fillers in many South American clinics. They are used to stimulate the body's natural collagen and elastin production for longer-lasting, more "undetectable" results.

• Polynucleotides and Exosomes: New for 2026, these regenerative injectables are used for deep skin repair, addressing scarring, and hair restoration by delivering cellular signals directly to damaged tissue.

• "Treatment Stacking": Clinics now specialize in multi-modal protocols—combining ultrasound (Ultherapy), radiofrequency (Morpheus8), and injectables in a single session to achieve a "liquid facelift" effect without the downtime of surgery.