In this issue of Dentistry Today, we are placing a focus on recent innovations and advances in technology that can bring positive changes to the dental practice for clinicians and patients alike.
As an example, many clinicians still currently use denture fabrication techniques and delivery protocols that employ labor-intensive and time-consuming steps requiring 5 or more dental appointments. Some of the more “mature” (to be diplomatically sensitive) clinicians can likely recall the procedures that they were taught many years ago in their respective dental schools to make and deliver full dentures. The memories for these colleagues of the many steps and appointments probably include the wonderful smell of rubber base adhesive and impression materials wafting in their historically unmasked nostrils. Furthermore, according to many doctors, this is often not the most favorite procedure in the modern practice, and in addition, it is also challenging for patients to work so many appointments into their schedule. Thankfully, things have changed in a dramatic fashion for the good, all due to newly developed digital technologies and applications.
We have seen the advent of improved impression materials, denture materials, and denture teeth. Recently, we’ve seen the move to include the use of digital impressions and CAD/CAM and 3-D scanning/printing technologies. Our esteemed, cover-featured author, Dr. Gary Radz, outlines in detail how to treatment plan, fabricate, and predictably deliver digital dentures that provide excellent fit, function, and aesthetics. We hope that you learn and benefit from the information and clinical experience Gary is sharing in this excellent article.
Additional clinical articles this month, several of which deal with current technology-related topics, are as follows: Dr. Louis Malcmacher presents high-tech ways to minimize restorative and aesthetic failures; Dr. Jürgen Manhart shares a case report demonstrating the necessary steps to place aesthetic and functional restorations with an advanced composite resin system; in our Viewpoint selection, Dr. Roger Levin discusses the threat competition poses for the sole practitioner and how to best deal with it; Dr. Jason Olitsky presents a clinical case sharing a detailed approach to deliver clinical work with predictable success; Dr. Jack Piermatti centers a discussion on treatment planning and dental implant prosthetic options; Dr. Martin Trope talks about how to prevent the need for root canal treatment with exposures and near exposures of the pulp; Drs. William and Tyler Wynne discuss a treatment protocol that includes making optimal material choices to best achieve short- and long-term success; and in our peer-reviewed article, available for 2 FAGD/MAGD CEUs, Dr. Abdi Sameni et al present a case report about a challenging full-mouth rehabilitation of a patient with a worn dentition.
Please enjoy this informative issue of Dentistry Today!
