Over the past two years, digital dentistry has changed more than in the previous ten. AI finally stopped being a marketing word and started actually working in programs. Cloud CAD became a serious alternative to local systems. Metal printing left the experimental stage. Let's break down which 7 trends of 2026 are worth knowing — and which are hype, which are genuinely useful.
Trend 1 — AI segmentation and auto-design
Before 2024, any dentist working with CBCT spent 15-30 minutes on manual segmentation: separating teeth from bones, marking the inferior alveolar nerve, placing anatomical landmarks. The most tedious part of an implantologist's work.
In 2025-2026, AI segmentation became standard. coDiagnostiX, RealGUIDE, Diagnocat, WebCeph — all added AI modules that do in 30 seconds what used to take half an hour.
Genuinely useful: AI bone and inferior alveolar nerve segmentation, automatic anatomical landmark placement in cephalometry. Hype: AI crown design "completely without technician involvement" — in practice the crown still needs adjustment for the specific patient.
Trend 2 — cloud CAD systems
Previously, CAD was a local program on a powerful computer with GPU. In 2026, serious players became 3Shape Unite (3Shape's cloud platform) and Exocad Cloud (beta). Principle: computation on server, only interface in browser.
Pros: work on any device (even tablet), instant sync between technician and doctor, no update issues. Cons: internet dependency, monthly subscription instead of one-time purchase, patient confidentiality on US servers.
Worth it for: distributed teams "doctor in one city, technician in another". Not worth it for: lab with one workstation and stable hardware.
Trend 3 — metal printing in dentistry
Before 2024, metal frameworks were only made by milling Co-Cr discs. From 2025, 3D printing of metals via DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) on TruPrint, EOS, SLM Solutions printers is actively developing.
Applications: framework prostheses on All-on-4 implants, cobalt-chrome partial dentures, custom abutments. Accuracy is not worse than milling, and complex geometries (internal cavities) are better printed.
Reality: works in large production centers. Not realistic for a single lab: printer costs 200-500 thousand euros, pays off only with high volumes.
Trend 4 — unified workflow in one program
Previously, digital workflow required 4-5 different programs: scanner → CAD → refinement → slicer → printer. Between them STL exports, manual file transfer, different interfaces.
In 2026, scanner and printer manufacturers actively unify functions. 3Shape Unite includes scanning + CAD + sending to printer in one window. Medit Link added CAD functionality. Formlabs Dental now can design models directly in PreForm.
Convenient for standard work (models, temporary crowns), but for complex cases you still need specialized programs like Exocad.
Trend 5 — aligners as orthodontics standard
In 2026 in the USA, over 50% of adult orthodontic cases are treated with aligners instead of brackets. In Europe — about 30%. Growing rapidly worldwide.
Besides leader Invisalign, dozens of competitors entered the market: ClearCorrect, Spark, eClign, Air Aligner and local manufacturers. For in-house aligner production (when the clinic prints models and forms trays themselves) appeared programs ArchForm, 3Shape OrthoAnalyzer, NemoStudio.
Trend: transition from outsourcing (sending to Invisalign) to in-house (own production). Equipment set pays off at 10-15 cases per month.
Trend 6 — new printing materials
Previously, only three types of resin were used for dental 3D printing: model resin, biocompatible for guides, for temporary crowns. From 2025, the market filled with new materials.
Permanent crowns from 3D-printed ceramics (Lithoz, NextDent C&B Permanent). Flexible resins for custom impressions. New versions of biocompatible with improved transparency. PEEK for implant frameworks via FDM printing.
Permanent ceramic crowns from printing haven't yet caught up to milled in aesthetics, but are close. In 2-3 years, printing may displace milling in the mass segment.
Trend 7 — messenger integration with programs
Boring but important trend. Previously, doctor-technician-patient communication went through email, phone, WhatsApp manually. From 2025, CAD programs are integrating Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord for automatic notifications.
3Shape Communicate automatically sends patients video visualizations of treatment plans. Exocad through plugins integrates with Slack and Discord for technician notification of new work. coDiagnostiX sends surgeons final plans via PDF in WhatsApp.
This reduces forgotten cases, speeds up the process. Not a revolution, but qualitative improvement of daily work.
What's worth implementing right now
Worth doing now: AI segmentation in implantology (saves hours), in-house aligner production (if you work with orthodontics), new biocompatible resins for guide printing.
Wait a year or two: cloud CAD (still raw for serious work), 3D metal printing (expensive for a single lab), permanent ceramic crowns from printing (aesthetics still lose to milling).
Installing modern software
All programs from this article — Exocad with AI plugins, 3Shape Dental System, ArchForm, coDiagnostiX with AI segmentation — we install remotely in 60-90 minutes. We connect current libraries, configure integrations, verify AI module operation. Message us on Telegram @keys_helper or WhatsApp.
On CAD comparison — «Which CAD/CAM to choose in 2026». On 3D printing software chain — «Dental 3D printing».
