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Digital Dentistry

Many people have lost some or all of their teeth over time due to tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease or injury. Tooth loss can affect the mouth’s shape and sometimes lead to a change in facial appearance.

What is Digital Dentistry in Prosthodontics, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry?

Digital dentistry is the use of new technologies to capture diagnostic information and working impressions of jaw and tooth shapes. These technologies also allow for planning, designing and recording dental implant treatments. They can also map denture foundations and transport these as digital files to virtual CAD/ CAM digital manufacturing platforms. This allows for increased accuracy and precision in manufacturing processes. Significant benefits can result for the application of these technologies in terms of treatment outcomes for our patients.

Because digital files are reproducible and can be manipulated in many different ways this significantly increases the amount of information available to diagnose plan and execute many dental treatment procedures. This digitsation of patient information transforms the manufacturing of dental devices like crowns, bridges, dental implants, dentures and other devices in prosthodontics cosmetic and restorative dentistry.

What’s new in and around the dental chair?

Digital x-rays with reduced radiation doses capture information instantaneously and allow for clearer images and enhanced visualisation and diagnosis. Intraoral scanners take precise tooth impressions. The images are then sent directly to the laboratory for manufacture, with individualised instruction for the manufacturing process. This technology entirely replaces the need for patients to bite into impression material. Biting into impression material has been challenging for most patients, especially patients who have a very sensitive automatic gag reflex. Intraoral technology is very precise, facilitating individualised record keeping, creating a smooth workflow within the dental clinic, optimally managing efficient patient dental care delivery.

What is CAD CAM in dentistry?

Computer Aided Design CAD and Computer Aided Manufacture CAM provide exciting precise new technologies for the production of dental restorations like crowns, bridges dental implants, dentures and other dental devices.

Increased machining precision and the higher strength materials used in these manufacturing processes can enhance speed of production, quality and durability of dental treatments.

Does Digital mean better Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry Treatments?

Yes, once the the fundamental principles of high quality dentistry remain the same it does. These principles are understanding, recognising and diagnosing complexity in diverse patient presentations. Having the appropriate training in the associated treatment skills to provide predictable treatment outcomes is essential when engaging with complex extensive dental treatments.

These are accreditated professional qualifications providing the necessary diagnostic skills and proven competencies in the generation high quality dental work. Skills like tooth preparations for crown and bridgework , implant locations and designs and creating accurate denture impressions.

This knowledge, experience and attention to detail at all stages of clinical prosthodontic and restorative dentistry procedures are essential to the successful application of digital dentistry technologies.

What are Digital Tooth Replacements?

Digital technology allows for a more precise dental fit, increased dental comfort. Permanent digital records are made for laboratory manufacture and can be easily retrieved. This is especially reassuring in cases of loss or damage to newly constructed dental work.

Digital technology is also used in the manufacture of bite guards, night-time anti bruxing and tooth grinding devices and dental whitening trays. The technology allows for precise dental record keeping.

Beacon Dental Clinic, Beacon Consultants Clinic, Dublin, D18 E7P4, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 213 5644 | Fax: +353 1 213 5645 | Email: info@beacondental.ie