Digital Dentistry
Digital Dentistry
New technologies to capture diagnostic information
Digital dental technologies
If you have lost or are concerned about losing a tooth or several teeth, there are several options available to you, to best manage these situations.
Missing or damaged teeth can be replaced in most incidences. A full assessment of the site by clinical examination, which may include a 2D ( OPG) or 3D (CT) image, will indicate the treatment options available for tooth management or replacement.
Digital technology now allows us to quickly assess tooth replacement options. These can include a conventional dental crown replacement, a dental bridge, or a dental implant crown tooth replacement.
There are other restorative options available also, depending on the patient’s dental presentation. The restoration of dental appearance is very personal and critical to self-esteem, and confidence in speaking and interacting with others, including an ability to comfortably chew while eating.
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.
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.
Increased machining precision and the higher strength materials used in these manufacturing processes can enhance speed of production, quality and durability of 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.
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.