Digital Dentistry
An aesthetic smile is the expression of power;
the smile is the sharp sword of this power.
While traditional dentistry uses mechanical or electrical procedures, digital dentistry is performed through dental technology or devices that use computer-based or digital components. Digital dentistry eliminates the manual steps of dental procedures. In this way, dentists can perform a more efficient and precise treatment process.
Developments in digital dentistry make visits to dentists much safer, faster, more reliable and more comfortable. With the addition of digital technologies, dentists can provide better, more accurate diagnoses and treatments to their patients. Many of these technologies also enable the creation of a platform where multiple dentists can collaborate to solve challenging cases.
Digital dentistry, which is a faster, cleaner and faster alternative to traditional methods, is extremely advantageous for both patients and dentists. Most methods of digital dentistry are supported by computerized tools and software, meaning patients spend less time in the chair and experience less discomfort. Digital methods make it easier for dentists to obtain more accurate results than other, older methods.
Advances in digital dentistry are evolving rapidly, leveraging the existing capabilities of modern systems and seeking to improve dentists’ ability to provide optimal care in a very short period of time.
The most effective method to make consultations with patients and collaborations with other dental specialists faster and with more detailed information than in previous years is to use digital dentistry technologies. On the other hand, improving the quality of care thanks to advanced diagnosis and precise restorations may also be possible thanks to digital dentistry.
To put it simply, digital dentistry is a term used to describe digital or computer-based technologies that dentists can use to examine, diagnose and treat their patients’ oral health.
Digital dentistry uses CAD-CAM technology, which includes digital or computer-controlled components as opposed to purely mechanical or electrical devices.
CAD-CAM technologies, namely computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), are software programs that assist professionals in performing complex dental procedures. CAD-CAM has been used since the mid-80s.
However, with today’s computing advances, there are now tools that make the process simpler, faster and more accurate. Thanks to this technology; Restoration procedures including dental crowns, veneers, bridges, inlays, onlays can be completed from a single ceramic block.
Nowadays, many laboratories use CAD/CAM technologies instead of traditional methods. At the same time, some of the materials used for these traditional methods can also be used with new technology.
CAD/CAM technology allows the measurements of the prepared teeth to be taken digitally by photographing them with the help of a camera. Thanks to the measurement taken being accurate to 10 microns, the formation of caries under the closure in the future can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to create a digital tooth design in a computer environment using digital measurements.
By directing the virtual designs to the engraving unit, ready-made porcelain and zirconium blocks can be obtained, and restorations that represent the unique combination of durability, edge harmony and aesthetics can be obtained. Thanks to the 3D visualization of the mouth, negative effects such as height and food accumulation around the prepared restorations can be prevented.
By using CAD-CAM technologies, it is possible to perform implant treatment, digital smile design, orthodontic treatment, bridge construction, inlay-onlay, prosthetic coating and fixed prosthesis treatments.
Surgical guide plates are produced after three-dimensional imaging performed with CAD-CAM technology. In this way, how and where the implants will be placed can be planned most accurately. The process is then completed with surgical operations that minimize the risk of error.
The use of CAD-CAM technology provides a significant advantage in smile design. Teeth are converted into 3D using a micro camera in the CAD-CAM system. Thus, desired changes can be made on the teeth to be compatible with the person’s face and mouth structure.
Also cf.The contact points with the opposite tooth are checked. The frequency of contact points with opposing teeth can be adjusted by virtually adding, abrading, or making contour changes. Another advantage of this method is that it is possible to match how the teeth will look when the smile design is completed with the person’s real photo. In this way, the patient has the opportunity to see what the treatment will look like before the treatment ends.
Within the scope of digital dentistry procedures, dental crowding in patients with appropriate indications can be treated without the need for wires or brackets. Thanks to digital dentistry, intraoral scans are performed using cameras. Thus, personalized transparent aligners can be produced on the same day. This also allows orthodontic treatment to be performed comfortably without affecting the person’s aesthetic appearance.
Taking images with three-dimensional cameras using CAD-CAM technology is an extremely comfortable and practical process. It is possible to start the design immediately by transferring the captured images to the laboratory instantly. In this way, bridge construction can be completed within 24 hours.
Inlays and onlays can be produced extremely quickly by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by digital dentistry. In this way, it is even possible to complete the treatments on the same day. At the same time, porcelain fillings prepared with digital dentistry procedures stand out with their longevity.
Compared to the analog method, inlay-onlay production with digital dentistry is extremely advantageous because it is much faster, production can be done without the need to take new measurements when necessary, and there is no need for measurement taking that may cause nausea.
Thanks to 3D intraoral scanners used within the scope of digital dentistry technologies, the measurement process, which is an important step in prosthetic veneer treatment, can be completed quickly and comfortably. By taking the closest images to reality, all elements, including the production of the prosthesis, are streamed via digital media.
Computer-aided design and manufacturing, i.e. CAD-CAM digital technology, can be used in the construction of fixed prostheses. Thus, fixed prostheses, which can be made within an average of 1 week using traditional methods, can be performed quickly within the scope of digital dentistry procedures. In cases where complex prostheses are to be made, it is also possible to take digital measurements and produce them in the laboratory.
People who will receive implant treatment, smile design, orthodontic treatment, bridge, inlay-onlay, prosthetic coating and fixed prosthesis treatment within the scope of digital dentistry applications can benefit from digital dentistry treatments.
Thanks to digital dentistry, patients are given the opportunity to receive the highest quality dental care. For this purpose, the most modern dental technologies, tools and techniques are used. The wider viewing angles and more detailed visualization of 3D scanning provide a more accurate and precise scan of the patient’s mouth.
This makes a better experience possible for both patients and dentists. With the use of digital dentistry and advanced technologies, the detection rate of interproximal caries, that is, cavities that develop between the contact surfaces between the teeth, is higher. This way, future dental problems can be detected and treated before they occur.
The accuracy and efficiency of digital dentistry allows patients to develop the best plan to restore their smiles. In addition, digital dentistry offers 20% faster scanning compared to the methods used in traditional dentistry. Thus, the time patients spend in the dentist’s chair is reduced.
