Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download

cosmetic dentistry_beauty & science No. 1, 2016

cosmetic dentistry editorial | 03 cosmetic dentistry 1 2016 Dear Reader, It is interesting to note the trends in cosmetic dentistry training these days. Cosmetic dentists are spending time and money learning various smile design techniques and protocols. In recent years, theuseofcomputer-guideddigitaldevices(hardwareandsoftware)insmiledesignhasbecomequite popular and many clinicians are already trained in different kinds of digital smile design protocols. Ifwecarefullyanalysedigitalsmiledesigntechniquesorprotocols,itcanbeestablishedthatthey generallyfollowthreesteps:photography,digitalanalysis(calculation)anddigitalwax-up(drawing, cutandpaste).Aftertheseclinicalsteps,dentistshavetwochoicesforachievingthefinaltrialsmile. The first and most popular one is a laboratory-fabricated acrylic or composite restoration and the other one is CAD/CAM fabricated. For the manual approach, the laboratory technician has to man- ually wax up the digital design. Even though digital smile design uses computer-guided techniques and protocols, the entire design process is not that as fast as many clinicians may think. This is because the dentist needs to develop specific computer graphic skills, be involved in digital com- munication with the laboratory, as well as pursue emotional counselling and marketing tactics. Several months ago, I asked some of my close Asian, American and European friends who have completedvariousdigitalsmiledesigncoursesabouttheuseofdigitalsmiledesignprotocolsintheir daily practice. It was surprising to learn that none of these popular cosmetic dentists regularly use digital smile design in their practice. They frankly informed me that such techniques are time- consuming and computer design is not as easy as the day-to-day restorations that they do. I was also told that they use digital smile design protocols only when they need to present clinical cases for conferences or seminars. Iwasquitepleasedwiththeircandidcomments,asIrarelyusedigitalsmiledesignmyself,because Idonotwanttogivestocksmilestomypatientsbasedonuniversaldesignformulas.Iapplyartmore thansciencewhendesigningnewsmilesformypatients.Irespectmypatients’personaldesiresand needsandguidetheminachievingnaturalandrealisticsmileswithlowbiologicalcost.Ihavenever sold cosmetic dentistry using the emotional counselling tactics of digital smile design, because I firmly believe that exploiting emotions to sell cosmetic dentistry actually constitutes emotional blackmailing of patients. Keepingalloftheaboveinmind,Ihaverecentlydevelopedasimple“QuickSmileDesign”concept, which is not new but a logical modification of the age-old direct composite mock-up technique. The beauty of this simple technique is that it is fast, realistic and predictable. You do not need to open your computer and spend time using Photoshop. Your patients will instantly be able to give their comments about the aesthetics and level of comfort of your smile design. You do not need to acquire computer graphic skills. Moreover, this technique indirectly enhances the dentist’s direct cosmetic restoration skills. I hope you will have the opportunity to learn about it in the upcoming issue of the cosmetic dentistry magazine. In this issue, we have also selected some articles on smile design and cosmetic restorations. I hope you will enjoy reading them. Sincerely, Dr Sushil Koirala Editor-in-Chief Dr Sushil Koirala dentistry 12016

Pages Overview