Digital Dentistry
What is Digital Dentistry?
Have you ever walked through a doctor’s office and wondered what in the world some big machine is for? Unknown equipment and technology can be intimidating, so we’re always happy to explain and demonstrate everything. Digital dentistry now includes many different technologies and is exploding in dental offices today, because it offers so many benefits:
- Vastly more information
- Increased speed
- Reduced costs
- Precision and accuracy, and
- Convenience
To help you understand what we use in our office, we’ve put together a little guide that tells you all you need to know.
3D X-Rays with the PlanMeca ProMax
What is it?
CT (Computed Tomography) x-rays offer a far superior 3D picture of your jaws and teeth. Unlike a typical 2D x-ray, this truly shows us every precise detail we need to know, from bone and tooth width, thickness, height, and density. We can move through the jaws and teeth in slices up and down, left and right, forward and back, to see vastly more information than a 2D x-ray could ever provide.
How does it help me?
The quality and accuracy of these images gives us the information needed to evaluate tooth position, bone density, width and height, so that we can precisely plan dental implants, whether single implants for crowns, or multiple implants for implant-supported bridges, overdentures, etc. We’ll know in advance if there is enough bone, or if we’ll need to do bone grafting, and how much.
3D X-rays also help us see and accurately diagnose conditions such as:
- abscesses
- cracked or broken roots below the gum line
- bone loss from gum disease
- cancer
Why is it better?
The biggest advantage of 3D x-rays like our PlanMeca ProMax 3D + 2D Panoramic is the amount of information we gain, with a minimum of x-ray radiation.
3Shape TRIOS Intraoral Scanner
What is it?
This is a hand-held video camera wand, that takes a super-fast series of images, which the software then converts that to a phenomenally precise, full-color and color-accurate 3D model of your teeth, which can be used for a wide range of things.
How does it help me?
Accurate impressions of your mouth are important for many reasons. For crowns, veneers, and bridges, accuracy is important so they fit well. TRIOS is as accurate or more than traditional impressions, is faster and more comfortable, & the scans can be reused many times.
Why is it better?
You know that goopy material used to take molds of your mouth? This does that without the goop! There are several advantages other advantages to digital impressions:
- Faster
- More comfortable
- We can instantly see any missed areas and fix them immediately. This avoids calling you for new impressions if the lab finds errors.
- Permanent digital records that never distort
- Almost eliminates problems with gagging
- The scans can be exported and used in many ways: combine with 3D x-rays, print models, email to specialists for consultations
- Accurate color mapping, so our labs make crowns and bridges match your natural teeth beautifully.
- We send scans to our labs for crowns, onlays, and bridges, and the lab receives them before you leave the office.
FormLabs 2 3D Printer
What is it?
This machine prints a 3D model of your teeth and jaws, using the information we get from either the TRIOS intraoral scanner and/or the PlanMeca 3D x-ray, right in our office.
How does it help me?
You benefit directly from the accuracy, speed, and efficiency in which they’re delivered. We don’t have to wait for our information to be sent out to labs, but can quickly determine a plan of action for your dental needs.
Why is it better?
The traditional models that get created using impressions can be flawed. Digital printing and digital dentistry across the board eliminates all the second guessing, waiting, and reduces costs significantly.
Digital Dentistry: Begin with the End in Mind
One of the most exciting aspects of digital dentistry, is our ability to visualize and plan your treatment in advance with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. We use the world’s most popular and functional dental planning software, Blue Sky Plan. Examples include:
Virtually placing teeth and dental implants to ensure that we can create a natural-looking result.
Planning clear aligners to straighten teeth and making them in our office.
In the very near future, we’ll even be able to digitally design and 3D print nightguards and dentures!
The present and future of digital dentistry is incredibly exciting, with unparalleled convenience, speed, and affordability, all without sacrificing quality. If that’s the kind of dental care you’re looking for, please give us a call at 704-724-4576, use the Contact Form below, or Request an Appointment Online.
