Orthodontics in surgeries and laboratories – a key theme at IDS 2011

Current trends and developments in orthodontics – digital methods becoming increasingly significant – A look at neighbouring specialist disciplines – More opportunities for surgeries and laboratories through cooperation – a key theme at IDS .

Modern orthodontic processes are making effective contributions to the correct development of the masticatory system. Today, general dentists, orthodontics specialists or dental technicians operating in the associated area of dental prosthesis provision can be involved more than ever before in further developments in the orthodontics field. When the International Dental Show (IDS) opens its doors from 22nd to 26th March 2011 at the Cologne Exhibition Centre, all the interested parties will have the opportunity to obtain thorough information about every aspect of orthodontics. New therapy concepts, digital methods and improved apparatus and equipment support the users in planning, handling and communication. “The scientific and technological advances offer orthodontics and its neighbouring disciplines outstanding therapy opportunities. Here too, digital processes are increasingly making inroads into the everyday work routine of the dentist and dental technician team and opening up new opportunities for orthodontics – from patient examinations, the planning and design of therapeutic measures up to digital networking”, explains Dr. Martin Rickert, CEO, Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI – Verband der Deutschen Dental- Industrie).

For years the orthodontics sector has been accompanied by intensive research and development work on the part of the dental industry. Dentists, dental technicians and surgery staff can optimally inform themselves about the latest   status of all aspects of orthodontics at the International Dental Show and obtain advice from competent and expert manufacturers. On the stands the experts from the dental companies as well as from associations and other organizations will be on hand to present new therapy concepts and explain their advantages. For example, digital x-ray diagnosis and the cooperation with other specialist fields will also form further interfaces for the trade visitors.

Orthodontic care providers as well as patients are benefiting from the increasing miniaturization of elements, “invisible” lingual brackets and wires, intelligent Ligier methods, new body-friendly materials and much more. In addition, current further developments in the area of classic orthodontics apparatus will be on show at the IDS. Digital advances are also making inroads into orthodontics: this applies for example to CAD/CAM-aided aligner concepts, which based on modern x-ray processes, intra- and extra-oral imaging as well as digital scans of impressions and bite registrations, are now being used for the first time in combination with special software, enabling computers to display virtual 3D model images and treatment plans. As a result, dental mal-alignment can be corrected comparably elegantly and, for the patient, conveniently.

Improvements aimed at accelerating processes will be on display for the interface between orthodontics and the associated medical fields up to dental technology. This relates for example to diagnostic methods – here we must mention digital x-raying with its processing and archiving possibilities including the link with the patient card as well as high-resolution digital volume tomography (DVT), all of which are becoming increasingly economically affordable also for smaller surgeries. Functional diagnostics or cephalometric analyses are also benefiting from technological achievements; as a result, remote lateral x-ray imaging can also be digitized today. As it has now become almost unavoidable from a business management point of view, the digital transfer of data within the own surgery or laboratory and externally has now become a standard feature thanks to good dental work organization.

Each visitor at the forthcoming IDS will be able to see for themselves just how convenient digital x-raying has become with its processing and archiving possibilities, including the linking of the patient card. In addition, intra-oral cameras are once again becoming the focal point of attention: they support   the patient’s pre-treatment discussion particularly effectively and indirectly also ensure an additional image boost in the orthodontics surgery.

The success of complex orthodontic measures also depends on the effective cooperation between the team of dentists and dental technicians. In order to promote this cooperation, both professions will be provided with information on continuation training and receive advice on the latest curricula, in some cases designed for both dentists and dental technicians, from the trade associations represented at the IDS – for example on the current theme of craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD).

Last but not least, the dental industry is now also offering workplaces specially developed for orthodontic requirements. These orthodontic treatment units have been consistently designed according to ergonomic principles, and with their special design, enable perfect access to the patient, offering a major advantage particularly in the treatment of children and young people.

During their visit to IDS 2011, general dentists, orthodontic specialists or dental technicians will be presented with a unique opportunity to obtain a comprehensive overview of the latest concepts in orthodontics and its neighbouring disciplines – from implantology and paradontology up to radiology and material science.

“The International Dental Show, the world’s largest trade fair for dental medicine and dental technology, held in Cologne from 22nd to 26th March 2011, offers the trade visitor from dental surgeries and laboratories the best opportunity, in discussions with specialists from exhibiting companies, experts and experienced users, to obtain comprehensive information about the spectrum of modern processes and the latest apparative trends and developments in the area of orthodontic rehabilitation”, says Dr. Markus Heibach, Executive Director, VDDI.

The IDS (International Dental Show) takes place in Cologne every two years and is organized by the GFDI – Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI), and staged by Koelnmesse GmbH, Cologne.  

Photos from the last IDS Cologne are available in our image database on the Internet (www.ids-cologne.de) in the “For the Press” section.

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