Is digitalisation the way forward for dentistry? By Simon Beard, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Align Technology EMEA business © Align Technology progression and is expected to gain even wider acceptance in the years to come. From 3D printed villas, set to be- come a reality still in 2019 to the re- cently announced 3D printing institute, Dubai offers a perfect platform to strengthen advanced manufacturing us- ing digital technologies for the dental in- dustry. It also fits in with the industrial strategy of Dubai, whereby a significant focus is placed on customised manufac- turing. The practical application of 3D printing in the medical industry is well documented. A report by Science Trends highlights that researchers are looking at using 3D printing as a means to cre- ate organs and other body parts, where bioprinters manufacture tissues and or- gans from human cells. The pharmaceu- tical industry is also going full steam ahead, developing 3D pills that can com- bine all of a patient’s medications into one personalised pill. Digital dentistry is up to speed in this regard. As the Dubai Health Authority has announced plans to use 3D printing for dentistry, there is signif- icant interest in digital dentistry in Saudi Arabia, where the dental device market is projected to grow at a com- pound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.58 per cent by 2021. The rise in demand for digital den- tistry is driven as much by the cost-effi- ciencies it can generate—even for the more expensive dental procedures—as by the growing focus of dental providers on scaling up their technology to stay relevant in the era of fast-paced changes. There is also, of course, the aesthetic value and comfort new technological ad- vancements bring to the patients. Most industries that are either digi- tally driven or disrupted have witnessed lowered costs. The dental industry is no different. Imagine the benefit digital tools would bring to patients, as well as to clinics, as they provide better care at lower costs. This is even more relevant to the regions where insurance cover- age of dentistry services is not a luxury available to all. On the operational side, digital den- tistry can help optimise processes and create a more streamlined digitised workflow that covers every aspect of the patient journey, from diagnostics to planning and dental laboratory produc- tion, as well as follow-up. Globally, the restorative industry is set to reach US$25.9 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 6.7 per cent, ac- cording to a Grand View Research re- port. It states that growing consumer- ism and the higher disposable income of patients are fuelling demand for cos- metic dentistry procedures and implan- tology. The advent of digital industry has been a key driver of this growth. Moreover, its positive impact is being re- flected across the MENA region. The value of digital dentistry goes deeper than this, from helping patients get that perfect selfie to undertaking both routine and more complex proce- dures, such as intraoral imaging, radi - o graphy, caries diagnosis and computer- aided implants, which all contribute to improved precision and accuracy. The Invisalign system has been in the driver’s seat in adopting digital tech- nology to achieve state-of-the-art solu- tions in modern dentistry. Align Tech- nology, a global medical device company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of the Invisalign system, is home to one of the largest dedicated 3D printing facilities in the world, creating about 300,000 units of custom aligners daily through 3D printing and almost 405 million aligners to date. Eighty- eight per cent of the company’s global net revenues from the first quarter of 2018, which clocked over US$436.9 mil- lion, come from clear aligners. Having ramped up our operations in the Middle East, we are now facilitating direct pro- vision of our advanced suite of digital solutions in orthodontics. Our clear aligners help move teeth without the use of braces, mini-screws or mini-implants. Clear aligner technol- ogy is developed through a combination of proprietary virtual modelling soft- ware, rapid manufacturing processes and mass customisation using highly in- novative materials. With the Middle East and Africa orthodontic supply mar- ket valued at US$266 million in 2016, the growth prospects are bright. One area where digital dentistry has transformed dental care is the discreet orthodontic system, of which Invisalign has been the pioneer for over 21 years now. Ensuring quicker and higher qual- ity results in tooth straightening with minimal invasion, Invisalign clear align- ers are increasingly being sought after by customers in the MENA region. Created using 3D imaging and printing technology, the Invisalign sys- tem helps move teeth step by step until they reach the correct final position. A 3D simulation treatment plan is created for every patient to ensure that the clear aligners produced are the precise fit for the individual. Each aligner shifts the teeth slightly, moving them horizon- tally and vertically, and even rotating them when needed. The aligners are also engineered to use the right amount of force in the right place at the right time. Our clear aligners are comfortable, removable, easy to clean, and made of the advanced, patented medical-grade SmartTrack material, which differenti- ates them from traditional fixed appli- ances and alternative clear aligner offer- ings. Suitable for teenagers and adults alike, the Invisalign system also helps address several other problems, such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, crowding and gaps between teeth. This builds on Align Technology’s role as a pioneer in the invisible ortho- dontics market, a history that goes back to 1999, when the Invisalign system was first introduced. Within the next two years, one million unique clear aligners were manufactured. Today, the number of users has crossed over 5.5 million, in- cluding 1.3 million teenage patients, and the system is offered in over 100 coun- tries. We are also driving the evolution from analogue to digital with the iTero intraoral scanner—helping to modern- ise today’s practices by replacing phys- ical impressions, creating digital treat- ment planning and leveraging the potential to revolutionise almost every type of dental treatment offered. We be- lieve the future of the dental industry is digital. Maintaining healthy teeth is very important for one’s well-being—under- pinning how digitalisation of dentistry services is contributing to the all-round wellness of individuals. By offering doc- tors and patients our digital, end-to-end solutions, we give all a reason to smile. Digitalisation is changing the way we live and work. The UAE—in particu- lar Dubai—is at the forefront of this in- novation, using technology to build a “smart, happy city” in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s vision of Dubai becoming one of the most technologi- cally advanced cities in the world by 2021. The transformational influence of the digital world is evident also in the dental industry, with cutting-edge tech- nology used by doctors to serve pa- tients better and help clinicians achieve more efficient outcomes. Aesthetics, after all, play an increas- ingly important role. Studies have found that a genuine smile can help you land a job, close a sale transaction and even motivate others to perform better. In fact, a recent report by the American As- sociation of Orthodontics, conducted on individuals who had had orthodontic treatment as adults, states that as many as 75 per cent of the people surveyed had noticed positive effects of the new smile on their personal and professional lives. More people than ever are realis- ing the value of investing in orthodontic treatment, as it may help them appear younger and feel more self-assured in various situations. Digital technologies may help more people smile with more confidence, and we can certainly see the trend taking strong roots in the UAE and the wider region. In fact, digital dentistry has been a pioneer of sorts in today’s digital nar- rative. For example, as one of the early adopters of 3D printing, dentistry is transforming the manufacturing pro- cess, ensuring patients receive custom- made solutions suited to their specific needs. With the current focus of the UAE (especially Dubai) on ushering in 3D printing adoption and utilisation, led by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, digitalisation of the dental indus- try driven by 3D printing is a natural AD AEEDC 2019 05.- 07. 02. 2019 Dubai/ UAE Booth: 7F17 Temporary crown & bridge material • Less than 5 min. processing time • Strong functional load • Perfect long-term aesthetics • Excellent biocompatibility Kaltpolymerisierendes provisorisches Kronen- und Brückenmaterial, Paste-Paste-System Material provisório polimerizável a frio para coroas e pontes, sistema pasta-pasta 50 ml cartridge / mixing tips Made in Germany 0482 Glass ionomer luting cement • High level of adhesion • Highly biocompatible, low acidity • Continuous fluoride release • Precision due to micro- fine film thickness • Translucency for an aesthetic result Light-curing micro-hybrid composite • Applicable for various indications and all cavity classes • High translucency and a perfect colour adaption • Polishable to a high gloss • Excellent physical properties for durable fillings • High filler content • Packable consistency (also available as Composan LCM flow) Visit www.promedica.de to see all our products Dental Material GmbH 24537 Neumünster / Germany +49 43 21 / 5 41 73 Tel. 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