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roots - international magazine of endodontology No. 2, 2017

3-D printing—which displays great future poten- tial—is a production process that is already imple- mented in orthodontics, as well as in other disciplines. Alongside drilling templates, different splints, dental technology models, individual impression trays and plastic base casts for the metal cast will most probably depict the most frequent indications. In general, speed plays an increasingly more im- portant role in all sections of dentistry. For example, patients ideally want prosthetic treatments to be carried out in one session if possible or at least com- pleted on the same day. Digital technologies make this possible more frequently than to-date. Practice and laboratory riding at high speed The increased speed is achieved through pure chair- side therapies or by accelerating the workflows across the entire process chain in the practice and laboratory, from A for activators to Z for zirconium oxide. Attrac- tive optimisation options are arising now at all levels. This begins with digital moulding. At IDS, a whole series of new intraoral scanners enriched the existing offer. Some of them can simply be carried from one treatment room to the next, almost as conveniently and inconspicuously as a pen in the pocket of the dentist's coat. Beyond this, connecting it to the tablet facilitates the patient communication. Other intra- oral scanners are consciously kept small to ensure high patient comfort and yet exploit the possibilities of voice and motion control. A prosthetic restoration can subsequently be carried out in the practice more and more often. A milestone here is the production of bridges from zirconium oxide, which enables the dentist to carry out more than just single-tooth restorations. Dentures that are printed out of plastic in the practice using the DLP method (Digital Light Processing) are also almost within reach. The process for classic production in the dental laboratory is being accelerated enormously. At the same time, the communications are becoming more intensified; the dentist and the dental technician are moving closer together. Technology in the labo- ratory—for example a new dental microscope with a 3-D mode —is assisting here. Besides quality control, it can be used for the direct exchange of digital im- ages with the practice (screenshots, videos, split- screen function). Furthermore, it ensures a con- stantly relaxed, ergonomic posture. But even the production steps themselves are be- coming faster all the time. For instance, the guidance of instruments on curved shape tracks when process- IDS 2017 meetings | roots 2 2017 45

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