Page 11 - SPRING 2016

No traditional impression materials or trays were needed. Given patient’s dentition in case we ever need to manufacture future
that the entire process was digital, we were able to go from con- appliances.
sultation to treatment in a short period of time. There was no need
to wait for molds to be poured and trimmed, no shipping costs or DIGITAL ALIGNER THERAPY
lost time while waiting for a laboratory to receive and process the Do you offer clear aligner therapy in your office? If so, you know
case. that these impressions must be spot on in order for the aligners to

fit perfectly to allow for precise tooth movements. Unfortunately,

At the ensuing visit, the decayed tooth was removed and an imme- many clinicians have trouble with this step and require multiple
diate implant was placed with subsequent grafting. After allowing retakes. This is a time consuming process that both the patient
for thorough osseointegration, the implant was uncovered and a and staff despise, and ends up costing more in wasted material and
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CEREC scan was taken for final prosthesis fabrication. Vita Easy time. The good news is that two of the most popular aligner com-

Shade (Vita Corporation) was used to determine the correct shade panies, Invisalign and Clear Correct, allow the submission of dig-
of the final prosthesis. The screw retained IPS E.max CAD ital impressions (Figure 8). No need for embarrassing calls to

(Ivoclar Vivadent) crown was digitally designed and manufac- have the patient return due to inadequate impressions. If there is a
tured, and seated at the subsequent appointment (Figures 4-6). deficient area in the scan, you’ll be able to see it immediately and

rescan while the patient is still in the chair, without the use and
Traditionally, these procedures took time and were costly to fab- cost of additional materials.
ricate and process. By utilizing a digital workflow, much of the
time and expense was eliminated. In immediate provisionalization These are just a few examples of the utilization of digital dental

cases, a prefabricated temporary prosthesis can also be made pre- smile technology in use today. The integration of these modalities
surgery via this digital method. The patient was ecstatic with her in a general practice improves many aspects of patient care. By

new tooth. providing easier appointments that are less stressful, while offer-

ing results that are highly accurate creates a win-win situation for

DIGITAL NIGHT GUARD IMPRESSION both the dentist and patient. To quote one of our patients, “Woah,

Ever have a patient that is a severe gagger and is scheduled for full this stuff is cool!” Hopefully, this article will get you interested in
mouth impressions? Talk about stress! By utilizing in-office digi- digital dental smile technology and how it can positively affect

tal scanners, these appointments can turn from dread to delight! your office.

This 54-year-old male is a habitual bruxer and destroyed every Dr Benjamin Schwartz maintains a private

over-the-counter nightguard he previously purchased. Due to his

severe gag reflex, he avoided having a custom made appliance. practice in Manhattan, N.Y. His passion for
After explaining the digital process to the patient, and that no digital technology has propelled his office to be
impression material or large trays would be necessary, the patient an early adopter of many of the equipment that

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was eager to begin. With the CEREC Connect software (Sirona is standard today. He is a Fellow in the

Dental), a digital scan was taken of his upper and lower arches, Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of

along with a bite registration (Figure 7). This was immediately the International Congress of Oral
sent to the laboratory for the device to be fabricated. Implantologists.

When the patient returned for insertion, the appliance fit with no Disclaimer

issues. The patient was amazed at how seamless and easy the No incentives, whether financial or otherwise, were provided to
entire process was. In addition, we now have a digital copy of the the author for this work.
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Figure 4-6. Digital design and delivery of final prosthesis.

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Figure 8. Example

Figure 7. Digital of a digital This is a time consuming process that

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Scan for nightguard impression.
fabrication.

The good news is that two of the most popular aligner

www.nysagd.org | Spring 2017 | GP 11
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This is a time consuming process that
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The good news is that two of the most popular aligner

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This is a time consuming process that
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The good news is that two of the most popular aligner

This is a time consuming process that
b
The good news is that two of the most popular aligner