The Digital Dentistry Revolution
Dentistry is undergoing rapid transformations, making many clinics almost unrecognisable compared to just a few years ago. While improvements have been made to the traditional drilling and filling of teeth, the significant advancements lie in the technology available for complex dental procedures like crowns, bridges, and implants.
Although patients still endure the necessity of 'drill and fill' for decayed teeth, the process, fortunately, can be virtually pain-free with proper care. However, the aversion many people feel towards it is understandable.
The forefront of progress in dentistry is in Digital Dentistry, both within clinics and laboratories. For years, labs have employed 3D scanning technology to digitise plaster models derived from impressions sent by dentists. Technicians, now adept computer geeks, design crowns on-screen with high micron precision, mill them, and add artistic touches through ceramic work and staining. The result is lifelike creations that enhance a dentist's presentation to the patient.
In recent years, clinics have embraced the next level of digitisation. Gone are the days of uncomfortable mouth impressions, replaced by Intraoral Digital Scanners. These scanners generate a 3D model of the patient's mouth in real-time, sent digitally to the laboratory via the cloud. Some dental clinics can even mill crowns on-site, offering patients a quicker fitting process and saving time in their busy schedules.
The 3D views presented to patients, displaying teeth and gums in vivid colour, are awe-inspiring. Dentists appreciate the comfort for patients, improved accuracy, and the ease of using the technology. Laboratories benefit from a higher standard of outcomes, and patients receive precise crowns, bridges, and implants that fit seamlessly
While the dreaded dental drill persists, there's hope for its eventual replacement. Past attempts, such as the push for lasers in dentistry a decade ago, yielded limited success. However, recent developments, like 3D printing of temporary crowns, hint at future possibilities, even if current materials aren't yet suitable for the challenges of chewing.
The perception of dentistry as a grim profession isn't lost on most patients, prompting the continuous search for technologies that bring smiles to both practitioners and those they serve.
Learn more about some of the technology we use by watching some of the videos below
