Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2014-11-23, 21:56:20 | version 1.30.01
I overview Fig. 1_Virtual implant-planning based on volume tomography. _Introduction In contemporary dental medicine, computers andimplantsarecloselylinked.Bydealingwiththis topic, the question arises whether one can speak about a(n) (r)evolution in planning and manufac- turingofimplant-supportedreconstructionsinthe field of implant prosthetics. Dental prosthetics are concerned with the restoration of lost teeth and tooth-bearing tissues in the oral cavity. Loss of teeth and edentulism are quite frequent in old age and often the main rea- sons to visit a dentist. Hence, dental implants have become important means of therapy, whereby computer-assisted procedures play an increasing roleinthedailyroutineofthedentalpractice.Thus, itisnocontradictiontousemoderncomputertech- nologyandnewmaterialsequallyforyoungandold people. The continuous advancement of specialised fields in radiological imaging, manufacturing methods in the engineering industry und dental implantologyhaveextendedthepossibilitiesofde- cision making, planning and surgical as well as prosthetic realisation of a therapeutic plan. Actu- ally, this proceeding of dental medicine only has beenmadepossiblebybringingtogetherthesefor- merly independent disciplines, which basically de- pend on the increased performance of digital data processors. _Revolution or evolution? Despite these developments, many colleagues donotconsideracomputerahelpingadviceintheir daily routine. Any digitalisation of a certain prac- tice area needs a modification and adaption of the whole team’s workflow, depending on the scope of digitalisation. This requires a large effort of all em- ployeesinvolved,thewillingnesstolearnfromear- liermistakesandtokeeppacewiththeprogressing digital technologies. One thing is certain: Innova- tions in dental medicine do occur more often and faster nowadays. Therefore, evolution or revolu- tion does not depend on the given digital possibil- ities but rather on the individual experience and know-how. In dental medicine, computer technology is no more a real technological revolution. Virtual im- plant-planning based on volume tomography has Improvements in digital implant prosthetics Author_Dr Joannis Katsoulis, Switzerland 18 I implants4_2014 Fig. 1