Digital dentistry

We, at Wallisdown dental practice, embrace technological developments in the dental world and love to see the progress it makes to our treatments quality and accuracy.

So what exactly is digital dentistry?
Digital dentistry can be regarded as any dental technology or device that incorporates digital or computer-controlled components in the process of providing dentistry.

In the practice we use a variety of aspect of digital dentistry and looking to continue in that route in the future with further investments in equipment and training.

The following list represents the majority of the areas of digital dentistry in our practice.

CAD/CAM and intra-oral imaging — both laboratory- and clinician-controlled
Caries diagnosis
Computer-aided implant dentistry — including design and fabrication of surgical guides
Digital radiography — intraoral and extraoral, including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
Electric and surgical/implant hand-pieces
Lasers
Photography — extraoral and intraoral
Practice and patient record management — including digital patient education
Shade matchin

ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL DENTISTRY

Using the above mentioned options, help us to provide a more accurate, predictable and acceptable dental treatments.

These will:

Improved efficiency — both cost and time
Improved the accuracy of dental restorations (crowns, veneers, orthodontic appliances)
A high level of predictability of outcomes (better crowns & veneers shade matching)
Reduce the radiation used in diagnostic X-rays and provide the ability for better interpretation and planning via these images.

Below are provided 2 examples of how we use Digital Dentistry in our practice:

Example 1

On your initial consultation, a full dental records will be taken and included a digital dental chart, a digital intra-oral X-ray and if required a CBCT (3D) digital scan.

Digital photographs will be taken for treatment planning and your portfolio.

The tooth/teeth in question will be assessed and the neighbouring teeth shade will be measured using ‘Easyshade guide’, a digital shade guide measurement device, for best matching of your future crown’s shade.

Following the CBCT scan, the 3D image reconstruction will be used to plan the correct surgical placement of your implant/s and can be used as well for the production of a surgical guide printing for a more accurate implant position as per your digital plan.

Example 2 On your initial consultation, a full dental records will be taken and included a digital dental chart, and digital intra & extra-oral X-rays. Digital photographs will be taken for treatment planning and your portfolio.

An intra-oral 3D scan or a conventional impression which will be later 3D scanned extra-orally will be used to plan your orthodontic treatment analysis and planning.

A 3D imaging software will be used to plan the accurate teeth alignment and later to 3D print the planned models and clear aligners to fit over your teeth and help in the 3d planned teeth alignment.

E-consultations Now Available