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CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

12 I I special _ digital age _The concept of digital dentistry is one that started out small and has progressively increased in momentum until its boundaries appear to have become endless. New technologies in dentistry will only be successful if they are combined with a com- plete understanding of basic comprehensive den- tistry. While new technology and computerization can make procedures more efficient, less labor- intensive and more consistent, it will not replace education, practical experience and clinical/tech- nical judgment. Themostexcitingfactorsurroundingthesetech- nologies is not, however, only in the potential appli- cations of the technology that are being hypothe- sized by dental professionals. The excitement truly liesinthefactthatthese“hypothetical”applications are currently being developed today, and some are even in the final stages. Inarelativelyshorttimeperiod,distaltechnology will revolutionize the quality of dental care that is being delivered in modern practice. Implants are now well documented for fulfilling the functional requirementsinprosthetictoothreplacement.These new technologies, along with the evolution of sur- gical and prosthetic techniques, allow the dental team predictable, consistent results in implant re- habilitation. MicroDental is involved as a beta test area for many of these emerging technologies. As dentistry evolves into the digital world, the successful incorporation of computerization and new technology will continue to provide more effi- cient methods of communication and fabrication, while at the same time retaining the individual cre- ativity and artistry of the skilled dentist and dental technician. The utilization of new technology will be enhanced by a close cooperation and working relationship of the dentist/technician team. The evolution from hand waxing to “digital wax- ing” using the diagnostic wax-up and provisional restorations, as well as their digital replicas to guide us in the creation of CAD/CAM restorations, will be presented. The utilization of these new technolo- gies, along with the evolution from “hand” design to “digital” design—with the addition of the latest developments in intra-oral laser scanning, materi- als and computer milling/printing technology—will only enhance the close cooperation and working relationship of the dentist/dental laboratory team (Fig. 1). The dental laboratory’s primary role in restora- tivedentistryistoperfectlycopyallofthefunctional and aesthetic parameters that have been defined by the dentist into a restorative solution. Through- out the entire restorative process, from the initial patientconsultation,diagnosisandtreatmentplan- ning to final restoration placement, the commu- nication routes between the dentist and the lab- oratory technician require a complete transfer of information. Functional components, occlusal parameters, phonetics and aesthetic requirements are just some of the essential types of information that are nec- CAD/CAM 4_2013 Photos courtesy of Lee Culp, CDT/CTO. Fig. 1 CAD/CAM dentistry and the laboratory technician: Partners in success Author_ Lee Culp, USA