From the laboratory to the operatory

The market for dental technology is expected to continue its growth, but to change in direction toward products based on biology. As the dental industry considers potential new technologies, it must consider the following components in the development process: patent protection of concepts, the clinical relevance of innovations, an overall business plan, the regulatory environment, manufacturing issues, testing required by the Food and Drug Administration, and marketing. The theory of diffusion of innovations proposed by Everett Rogers can be used to predict characteristics of technologies that will diffuse quickly and those users who will adopt innovations quickly or reluctantly.