Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2018-01-31, 10:01:59 | version 1.38.0
editorial | Dr Scott D. Ganz Editor-in-Chief To merge or not to merge? Is that the question? Dear Readers, The art and science of dentistry has dramatically changed with the advent of digital tools that are currently available for the diagnostic, treatment planning and re- storative phases for each patient that we are privileged to treat. While clinicians worldwide predominantly continue to practise as “analogue” dentists, more and more have adopted these technological advances as they under- stand the benefits of the new digital workflow. Of course, today in 2018, it is difficult to remain to- tally within the digital workflow without having some an- alogue component either in the operatory or in the hands of the dental laboratory technician. Perhaps the workflow starts with the first patient visit, where we can capture the initial clinical presentation with a video or still picture with either a sophisticated camera or our smartphone— all digital. If the patient will require dental implants, crown and bridgework, or porcelain laminate veneers, it is al- ways necessary and desired to capture the pre-existing intraoral condition with either an analogue impression or intraoral digital scan. However, a physical impression or poured stone cast will require conversion to a digital file. This process has become the foundation of our digital universe, via the standard triangulation language or STL file. What happens next is crucial to the ultimate success of any case: the diagnosis and treatment planning phase through a merging of technology, combining the skill of both the clinician and the dental laboratory technician. It is the correlation of the different data sets with sophisti- cated software applications that provides the foundation for success. Currently, we can create an analogue or digital wax-up to analyse and assess and compare the before to the de- sired after before ever touching the patient with a drill or a scalpel. In order to accomplish this task, we must have the technical knowledge of the software applications that are available today for both the clinician and the laboratory technician. Whether creating a CAD/CAM restoration for a natural tooth preparation or a surgical guide for implant placement, the workflow has forever changed through our digital tools. Therefore, the question of whether to merge or not to merge may be completely transparent to many clinicians, but an essential and necessary part of the dig- ital workflow equation today. It is the goal of this publi- cation to expose our readership to state-of-the-art con- cepts and applications to enhance the everyday practice of dentistry. Happy New Year to all, and enjoy the articles contributed by expert clinicians from around the globe. Dr Scott D. Ganz Editor-in-Chief CAD/CAM 1 2018 03