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CAD/CAM international C.E. magazine of digital dentistry North America Edition, No. 3, 2016

20 I I clinical_ simplifying dentistry _ImplantdentistryintheUnitedStatesisgrowing exponentially for several reasons. The convergence of large numbers of mature patients with a high degreeofdentalawarenessandsufficientdisposable income has contributed to high levels of growth in implant dentistry. In2014,itwasestimatedthatU.S.generaldentists surgically placed about 25 percent of the 2.5 million dentalimplants.Thisnumberispoisedtoswellmuch higher with the availability of quality dental educa- tioninimplantdentistry,amarketplacethatpresents manyaffordablechoicesforimplantsystemsandin- strumentationanddigitaltechnologiesthatstream- line the entire implant process — from diagnosis to treatment planning, surgical implant placement and prosthesis completion. The term “digital dentistry” refers to the use of computer-acquired and computer-driven informa- tion. Furthermore, it describes electronic technol- ogy used in dental care that generates, stores and processes data in strings or bytes of information that a computer, tablet or even a cellular device can assemble,store,accessandconverttophysicalproc- esses that facilitate patient care. In implant dental care, digital dentistry refers to technologies that as- sist in the process of dental implant placement and restoration. The most commonly understood and used forms of digital dentistry are intra-oral camera images and sensor-based radiographic images. These technolo- gies are used by a high percentage of dentists. More advanced digital technologies are 3-D cone-beam CBCT images, CAD/CAM (computer-aided design) and milling processes for restorations. Imaging software such as Planmeca Romexis® allows for processing,manipulating,storingandsharingdigital imagery and information. Digital dentistry elevates the standard of care through: • Superior diagnostic ability • Improved patient comfort and convenience • Enhanced patient compliance • Time savings • Cost savings • Consistent quality and esthetics of restorations • Inherent educational benefits for patients • Elevation of the practice’s perceived value • Complete control over the entire process Digital dentistry is not the future. Digital den- tistry is today’s reality for the benefit of the patients treated,forthebenefitofthedentistswhotreatthem and for the manufacturers and distributers who make these technologies available. That reality allows for a seamless workflow for the dental practitioner to deliver implant dentistry in a consistent and economic fashion that allows patients a higher degree of comfort and results that are of high quality. CAD/CAM 3_2016 How digital workflow simplifiesimplantand restorative dentistry: A case report Author_Dr. Eugene Antenucci

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