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ePaper created 2015-03-10, 11:16:47 | version 1.33.01
issue 1/2015 — 23Implant Dentistry Interview — Dr. Gary Finelle and Implant Sciences at the Harvard SchoolofDentalMedicine(Lee&Gallucci, 2012) has found that non-trained dental students are more proficient at digital impressions than are trained dentists. Whenmyfatherwasmyage,neitherim- plants nor composite materials existed. Colleagues who have been practicing for decades maythink that the investment of time and energy to bring oneself up to speed is not worth it. That is understand- able. The new generation of dentists is lucky to work in a period of such dramatic tech- nological progression.There is a deluge of new procedures to appreciate and huge potential to innovate. All this should lead to an enhanced service for patients. Q: Who can benefit most from the imple- mentation of such technologies–general dentists or specialists? Are they tools for everyone? A: For more than a decade, general den- tists have been routinely delivering CAD/CAM-milled prosthetic restora- tions. This trend is inevitably increasing as digital in-office equipment (CAD soft- ware, intra-oral scanners) is continuously beingimplementedintogeneralpractices. Nevertheless,specialistsarethefirsttobe exposedtonewcutting-edgetechnology, largely because they benefit the most from technological advancements. They are what we call the early adopters. Many of the technologies are interesting and profitableforeveryone,butaswithallsuch advances, it may take some time before we see universal usage. Q: Do you think that more training in digital technologiesisneededfordentalprofession- als? A: You probably know my answer to this question. We are at the onset of a new era of den- tistry. It is important to be aware of the transitionandtohaveavisionofwherethe future lies, but we do not all have to dive enmasseintothelatestdigitaltechnology. Thevastmajorityofanalogproceduresare still relevant today. Most of our dentist colleagues are will- ingtolearnandseehowfarwecangowith digital technology, but before making considerable investments, they prefer to have a better and more objective under- standingoftherelativebenefits.Whilethe latest developments are regularly ad- dressedinprofessionalmeetingsandcon- gresses, there is still a lack of structured training that would provide dentists with the means to compare the different sys- tems and to operate them through work- shops. Digital development in otherindustries informsthedentalindustryintermsofun- derstanding and implementing the digital processes. Nevertheless, we face two main challenges specific to dentistry: (a) new companies and products are intro- duced continuouslyintothe market, mak- ing it almost impossible to follow every evolution; and (b) it is difficult to maintain a solid body of evidence-based research to follow the continuous developments in digital and CAD/CAM dentistry. In other words, the speed of technological change makes it difficult to support the promises with evidence. Q: This is the first time you will be lecturing a Tribune CME course in computer-assisted implant surgery. How did you become in- volved in the program? A: I have been collaborating on several courses with my friend and colleague, Dr. Dimitrios Papadimitriou (periodontist), whowasanInternationalTeamforImplan- tology Fellow when I was doing my resi- dency at Harvard. One day, he called me to ask whether I wished to be involved with him in theTrib- une CME course in Reims. Of course I said yes. For the rest, you would have to ask him. Q: What would you describe as the overall aim of the course? How does it differ from other courses? A:Thegoalofourcourseistoprovidepar- ticipantswithcomprehensiveinformation about the computer-assisted surgery workflow. We will present the technolog- ical devices and 3-D imaging acquisition systemrequired.Wewillcoverindetailthe clinical sequence,from virtual planningto implant placement. Then we will consider clinical cases and discuss the benefits of, limits of and indications for treating pa- tients with this type of procedure. Finally, we will introduce innovative solutions to treat fully edentulous patients with com- puter-guided surgery. Q: Do you think that programs such as the Tribune CME program could help raise awareness of what these technologies have to offer? A: Digital is everywhere today and the in- dustry is trying hard to market products. It is important to have scientific institu- tions that help to disseminate proper in- formation about digital dentistry in a controlled and scientific manner (as far as possible).Ineachoneofitsmastercourses, Dental Tribune International has collabo- rated with recognized and prestigious opinion leaders. Dental Tribune Interna- tionalhasthecredibilityandresourcestobe an important participant in the digital field. „I believe that the success of our treatment depends more on the decisions we make during the planning phase, rather than the procedures at execution.“