Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2015-03-06, 14:42:46 | version 1.33.01
46 I I special _ digital technologies ing digital revolutions are accounting for yet another milestone in digital dental technology. The future scenario is depicted in Fig. 6. After all, total prosthetics does not merit the reputationofbeingan‘unlovedchild’.Fordentists and dental technicians it still does not have the same level of importance as other prosthetic restorations.Butwhy?Itiscertainlynotduetothe fact that patients are so difficult, or total pros- theticsgenerallyissounattractivetodentistsand dentaltechnicians.Onthecontrary.Productionof a precision-fit, functional and aesthetic prosthe- sis is often a major challenge to dentists and den- tal technicians. Especially because with edentu- louspatientsimportantinformationisfrequently missing to be able to achieve an optimal recon- struction of the jaw and mouth. The main reason is rather that the dentist’s and dental technician’s services to be rendered for a full denture are both extensive and elaborate and the fee chargeable for the service cannot cover the costs incurred. In Germany, between 300,000 and 400,000 full dentures are still being made every year. Andaccordingtoexpertopinion,thefigurewill tend to remain constant in years to come owing toalongerlifeexpectancyandsociodemographic change. With an average total fee rate of approx. € 1,000–€ 1,400 per full denture this market segment has a volume of over €300 million—and that only applies to Germany. Consequently, total prosthetics still ranks as one of the most impor- tant areas of prosthetics. The complexity of today's production process for a full denture is illustrated by the following flow chart. Production of a conventional prosthesis is currently based on complex interaction between the dentist, dental technician and patient. In an idealised process flow, there are at least five ap- pointmentsforthepatientanddentist,whichcan take several days or even a few weeks. From the very first appointment the work starts to be dis- patched, from the first impression, functional impression and occlusal record to the first wax model, until, after much to and fro between the dental practice and the dental lab, the final den- ture can be fitted in the last appointment. The dentist's net treatment time in the chair can then total about 2.5 hours. Quite often another one to two more appointments are required. Per ap- pointment there is a calculated preparation and follow-up time of at least 5 minutes so if there arefiveappointmentsanother25minuteshaveto be added on. Consequently, dental practice time soon totals 3 hours or more for a full denture. At the dental lab end, the level of complexity is even higher. From initial model impression taking Fig. 6_Innovative digital method of treatment and production. CAD/CAM 1_2015 Fig. 6 CAD0115_42-48_Merz 02.03.15 12:57 Seite 5 CAD0115_42-48_Merz 02.03.1512:57 Seite 5