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videnskab & praksis 7SCANDEFA Copenhagen 2015 can even rescan selected areas and merge them into a complete impres- sion. All of this makes it much easier andfastertoobtaingoodimpressions every time. Whataboutdigitalimpressions intermsofaccuracy? Shortly after we started using the TRIOS system, I successfully com- pleted a maxillary reconstruction with 14 new teeth, all based on digital impressions. Both scanning and the whole workflow with the laboratory went smoothly and all 14 teeth were seated without making any adjust- ments. To be on the safe side, I also took a traditional impression during the process. Later, out of curiosity, I sent thephysicalimpressiontothelabora- tory and asked them to assess its pre- cision in relation to the scan. The lab- oratory estimated that the sources of errorhadbeenreducedbyupto70per cent. Even half of that would have im- pressedme. Was it as easy for your clinic to adapttothenewtechnology? One thing that surprised me was how excited everybody was about working with the new technology. It clearly boosted the staff’s profes- sional self-esteem. Today, I can really seehowthechangehasmadeadiffer- ence for our clinic. Installing and us- ing the digital impression system has developed us, made us better, and is stillmovingourbusinessandcareers innewdirections.Thetechnologyhas caught the attention of patients as well:theyaskquestionsandseemim- pressed.Ithinkthattheyliketheidea ofbeingtreatedbyatopmodernfacil- ity with the best equipment. What was the learning curve like? Naturally, our staff had to learn how to scan optimally for specific cases.Likeanynewtool,themoreyou work with it, the better you get. The first day we received the system, we scanned six patients in a row with 3Shape experts giving instructions. After that, we were ready to work on ourown.Hereatourclinic,assistants scan as often as dentists because the TRIOS system is so intuitive. Asanexperienceduserofintra- oral scanning, what do you see as thekeyadvantages? Digital impression taking offers many advantages, and some systems include a few benefits that go beyond just taking an impression. In general, digital impression taking avoids the uncertainties and potential errors that can come with traditional im- pression taking and casting in plas- ter. Precision becomes significantly higher. There are other advantages thatcomewiththetechnology,includ- ing the things that can be done while taking the impression rather than as extrasteps.Forexample,withTRIOS, I can take shade measurements as I scan and snap high-definition photo- graphs for capturing important de- tails that help the laboratory fabri- cate a better restoration for my pa- tients. The impression’s colours are amazingly lifelike and I thus use the 3-D image to discuss treatment with patients. Does digital impression taking makeyouabetterdentist? It has always been challenging to define an adequately precise margin and this places demands on the den- tist’s preparation skills. Now I find it easier to assess the quality of my im- pression because I can see the prepa- ration right away in 3-D and in the high-definition photographs that I takewiththescannerwhilescanning. Thecompletedigitalworkflowthat TRIOS enables makes us a better provider of implant treatment, which represents our core business. The digitalimpressionmergedwithCBCT scansisusedtovirtuallyplanimplant positions, model the restoration, and design low-cost surgical guides that can be produced by a 3-D printer. The digital method enables us to offer pa- tients guided surgical treatment that is faster and cheaper so that more pa- tientscanaffordimplantsolutions. Does the technology have any costbenefitsforpatients? OnegreatoptionwithTRIOSisthat wecanmakemodel-freecrownsinfull zirconium dioxide and IPS e.max (IvoclarVivadent).Skippingthephys- icalmodelmakesthewholeworkflow faster and cheaper, giving us an alter- native to conventional crown treat- ment. This allows a large number of patients, who would otherwise have chosen composite treatment to save money, to have this treatment. Do you have any advice for den- tists still considering digital tech- nologies? Yes. Don’t wait! Start now so that you are ahead of the game. Yes, it is a significant investment, but one that saves time, costs and most signifi- cantly will help develop your clinic’s reputation,dentalskillsandbusiness success. That is how it worked for us. Laboratories and dental schools all over are starting to train technicians to give preference to CAD/CAM and workflows using digital impressions. Soon, all laboratories and clinics will beworkingdigitallybecausethetech- nologyofferssomanybenefits.Youdo not want to be left behind. Editorialnote:Thisinterviewfirstap- peared in 3Shape News. Y education everywhere and anytime Y live and interactive webinars Y more than 500 archived courses Y a focused discussion forum Y free membership Y no travel costs Y no time away from the practice Y interaction with colleagues and experts across the globe Y a growing database of scientific articles and case reports Y ADA CERP-recognized credit administration ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providersof continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. www.DTStudyClub.com Register for FREE! AD

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