The series of entries to follow are a review of the blogs and literature that describe the trends that the current layer of dental pundits suggest will alter the face of our profession in the coming years. Some are fascinating, some are repugnant, most are simply a reflection of market driving science. What is imperative for today and tomorrow is to be aware, critical, accepting only of that which can be be substantiated by sound evidentiary based analysis of data accrual. At this particular time in the history of our profession, “caveat emptor” is dictum of unimpeachable relevance. It should resonate with all of us as we are inundated with the “latest and greatest”, validated by off and on the books paid advocates, gurus and experts manufactured by their corporate “handlers”. Transparency as to vested interest has never been more relevant that in the “now” that is ethical mainstream of our profession’s future.
3D Printing:
Rapid manufacturing is about to offer soon for dental patients, an affordable and attractive option. The old days when a patient went to a dentist office – the dentists had to ladle quantities of goo into patients’ mouths to take impressions for the construction of crowns, bridges andimplants, has gone. Instead, exciting new high technology has been developed that will do a two-minute digital scan of a patient’s entire set of teeth.
Once the information is captured by an intraoral scanner the dentist passes around the teeth, it’s delivered to a dental lab where milling or 3D printing machines are used to craft the artificial dentition, most of which is now made from zirconium dioxide. In the past, gold and platinum had been the materials of choice.
Hence, the 3D printing technology bullet train continues to accelerate the pace of change in dentistry – and patient experience. For those who have predicted the day when everything from scheduling to finished restoration can be handled digitally, the day is here.
Intraoral scanners and the software that manages them continue to improve on proven models. And now one can see the astounding diagnostic possibilities provided by cone beam CT scanners, as scan speed and image capture and enhancement capabilities continue to improve at record speed.
Most impressive this year has been the explosion in devices dedicated to digital imaging, impressioning and CAD/CAM fabrication of restorations, both chairside and in the lab. With the roll out of new systems, materials and capabilities over the coming year, many believe that more dentists and patients will begin to see the technology as a viable alternative for their practices.
To summarize the moving trend: Some day in the near future, we may look back at 2009 as the year when the dental laboratory industry passed the point of no return from a traditional manual workflow toward an all-digital design and manufacture process. In many respects, all-digital dentistry is already here, and a growing number of laboratory owners have incorporated digital dentistry in some form into their strategic business models. For many dental professionals, this evolution has been a long-awaited and welcome transition to a more rapid and labor-saving CAD/CAM automation that improves quality and precision while keeping businesses competitive.
Data capture systems launched recently have expanded the entire concept of digital dentistry for practices and laboratories alike. Through intense R&D, manufacturers have created 3D scanning systems engineered to capture data from the negative spaces inside tray impressions in the laboratory or even in the practice. With the precise, detailed 3D image of the impression, CAD software reconfigures the negative form into a positive 3D representation of the prepared teeth. Working from this virtual model, the technician can design any of a number of different components. This type of technology often is seen as a transitional step for eager laboratories that see the benefits afforded by digital dentistry but who want to accommodate dentist-clients who prefer traditional tray impressions.
For dentists who are ready, willing, and able to integrate digital impression technology, systems are available that move the digital process back to the oral preparation site.
Image via Wikipedia
By scanning the actual tooth prep and creating a digital impression, the accuracy of the data capture is enhanced, and the digital restorative process begins sooner. For laboratories working with these progressive doctors, for many labs all that is required is an investment in design software (and corresponding training), with manufacturing of components outsourced to production facilities. From this point on, the 3D printing technology will take on, presenting fast printing of accurate 3D models, required by dentistry
The question remains, however. When will dentists step off the platform and take advantage of these amazing tools, instead of watching the bullet train of advancement pass them by?
Author: Avi Cohen, Solutions Marketing Manager, Objet Geometries Ltd
