What is digital dentistry?
A few words about digital dentistry
Digital dentistry means that every step of a dental procedure is carried out with the help of computer technology, completely avoiding traditional, analog procedures (for example, impression taking). Needless to say, this method has revolutionized the dental workflow. Its spread is still somewhat limited due to the high cost of the necessary equipment. Moreover, the staff working with this technology also need further training to use it. But you don’t have to worry, because in our clinic all technological and professional backgrounds are provided for the smooth execution of digital dental procedures. If you would like to learn about the basis of digital dentistry, the intraoral scanner, and how it works, then click HERE!
What are the advantages of digital dentistry?
Digital procedures generally have many advantages over traditional ones. It is no different in dentistry. It allows for more precise, faster, and not least, more pleasant procedures for the patient. When I handed over to my patient the first crown I have ever made with digital technology, I was surprised at how precisely the edge of the dental restoration fitted the tooth. This precision is not achievable with traditional impression taking. Photographing the teeth with the intraoral scanner takes a quarter of the time required for taking impressions with impression material. Digital information also reaches the dental laboratory faster than an analog dental impression. Moreover, the dental technician does not have to spend time preparing the cast. However, from your point of view as a patient, the greatest advantage is that with the help of digital technology you can already see the expected final result of the treatment before the treatment even begins. Already at the first consultation you can see what your teeth will look like after the procedure! Personally, as a dentist, I also love this feature the most, since it greatly facilitates communication and helps a lot during consultations with my patients.
Does digital dentistry have any disadvantages?
As a disadvantage I can mention only one thing, that can also be a problem with any other digital procedure in today’s modern world. If the computer crashes, if the internet goes down, or if an error appears in the program for some reason, then indeed the scanning must be repeated, or the digital planning of the procedure must be restarted. A technical problem can cause delays as well. Fortunately, today there are so many safety protections built into the systems that this occurs very rarely. However, we must not forget that unexpected situations can occur in any area of life, which may sometimes require a solution.
What are the steps of a treatment using digital dental technology?
1. Preparation of the teeth
This step does not differ from the traditional procedure. It must be done with maximum precision and care in both cases. The teeth must be free from tartar and plaque. If tartar is present on the teeth, it must be removed. You can read more about tartar removal HERE.
2. Scanning of the teeth and oral structures
This phase replaces the traditional dental impression. With the intraoral scanner, we essentially take pictures of the teeth from every direction, and from this information the computer program creates a 3-dimensional image. Scanning is faster and gentler than traditional impression taking, since there is no impression material that can flow backwards toward the throat. You can learn about the scanning process by clicking HERE.
3. Digital planning
This is done in every case on a computer. This step is usually performed by the dentist in consultation with the dental technician. Of course, the artificial intelligence of the planning software also helps, but these suggestions can be modified by the professionals if necessary. Creating a good treatment plan is very important, as the dental restoration or the orthodontic clear aligner is manufactured based on this data. During the planning procedure, in our opinion, the most important thing is that the patient’s needs and requests are to be taken fully into account. If you would like to know how the digital treatment plan is created, then click HERE!
4. Manufacturing the dental restoration or invisible orthodontic aligner
Based on the plans, a CAD/CAM machine manufactures (by milling or 3D printing) the final product in the dental laboratory, which is then delivered to the dental office.
5. Delivery of the dental restoration or clear aligner
In the clinic, the dentist checks the finished product, shows it to the patient, and performs small adjustments if necessary. If everything is in order and you, as a patient, are also satisfied with the final result, then the dentist hands over the invisible clear aligner or puts (cements) the dental restoration into its place. You can read more about the delivery of the completed dental work at the end of the digital workflow HERE.
Will digital dentistry completely replace traditional dental procedures at some point?
In the future, most certainly, but technology is not there just yet today. The completed dental restoration or orthodontic device is handed over to the patient by the dentist in the clinic. Strictly speaking, of course, this cannot be considered a digital step. At this appointment, the dentist can and sometimes have to make small adjustments to the finished product too, which is naturally an analog procedure. There is nothing wrong with this, since the tooth simulated in the computer program is not the patient’s real tooth, so the work is not completely finished when it arrives from the dental technician to the clinic. Furthermore, it must also be delivered to you or put into its place, which can only be done by a dental professional. Machines have not yet been developed for this step. Perhaps this is not a bad thing, since this way the human connection between the patient and the treating doctor is preserved. At Netfog Dental Clinic we truly believe that dentistry is not just a necessary bad thing, on the contrary, it can also be a pleasant experience spent in a good atmosphere.
Book an appointment in our clinic by clicking HERE and experience personally what a patient-centered dental procedure is like!