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ePaper created 2017-08-25, 17:58:13 | version 1.38.0
| practice management digitalisation in dentistry Digitising your implant practice Author: Dr Ross Cutts, UK Fig. 1 Fig. 4 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 5 Undoubtedly, digital dentistry is the current topic. Over the last five years, the entire digital workflow has progressed in leaps and bounds. There are so many different digital applications that it is some- times difficult to keep up with all the advances. Many dentists are excited about the advantages of new technologies, but there are an equal number who doubt that the improved clinical workflow justifies the expense. I have many times heard the argument that there is no need to try to fix something that is not broken. It is so true that impressions have their place and there are certainly limitations to the digital workflow that anyone using the technology should be aware of. For me, however, the benefits of digital far out- weigh the disadvantages. In fact, the disadvantages are the same as with conventional techniques. Chairside CAD/CAM single-visit restorations have been possible for over 20 years, but it was only re- cently that we became able to mill chairside implant crown restorations after the release of Variobase (Straumann) and similar abutments. I made my first CEREC crown (Dentsply Sirona) back in 2003 with a powdered scanner, and the difference from what I remember then to how we can make IPS e.max stained and glazed restorations (Ivoclar Vivadent) now is amazing. An investment not an expense The results of a survey regarding the use of CAD/ CAM technology were published online in the British Dental Journal on 18 November 2016. Over a thousand dentists were approached online to take part in the survey and the 385 who replied gave very interesting 06 CAD/CAM 3 2017