Dental News - Basic instincts and the dental metamorphosis

Michael L. Young, USA

Tue. 18 November 2014

save

The world of dentistry has undergone profound change during the last 30 years and is steadily evolving toward a digital world. As dental practitioners, our major concerns are dental anatomy and physiology, materials science and perfecting our preparation and dental operative techniques. It was challenging enough to master the techniques of achieving the perfect margin while simultaneously learning to become physicians of the oral cavity, as well as being small business owners.

Today, however, dentistry has undergone a rapid revolution as it incorporates technology at a dizzying pace. Not only are dentists physicians of the oral cavity, master technicians, materials scientists and business people, they are finding themselves in the position of needing to understand and master advanced aspects of computer engineering and a vast array of available digital technologies.

Digital impressions change the traditional methods and workflow completely. These digital technologies, however, give us complete control over results, with improvements in patient comfort and convenience and the quality of restorative results. Techniques and processes have matured and advanced to the point that they can provide same-day results, predictably and in an extremely cost-effective fashion, and with great acceptance by our patients.

I was an early adopter of digital technology. The integration of the Romexis software with the patient’s soft-tissue scans and CBCT image provides valuable information for exceptional treatment planning. The flexibility of the open platform is the core of Planmeca’s systems. The modularity and support that I receive allows me to practice better dentistry.

Digital transition doesn’t have to mean major upheaval — as a matter of fact, the digital transition simply puts a new spin on what you already know and is often all you need to make huge strides in improving your practice and providing a better patient experience. After all, the basics are the foundation of change.

To post a reply please login or register

The sand, the sea and the ACP

The American College of Prosthodontists is taking Southwest Florida by storm from Wednesday through Saturday. The JW Marriott Marco Island will host this ...

Bones and machines: AI and the transformation of dental implantology

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, US: The methods dentists currently use to assess bone for implantation provide only indirect insights into bone mechanics. Since ...

Dental meetings: The who, what and where

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every scheduled dental meeting, it can be hard to keep up with what is happening when. To help with that, we have a ...

Health policy and the dental implant practitioner

NEW YORK, NY, USA: In 2007, when the American Heart Association changed the recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis for routine dental care in patients ...

Harris vs Trump: How the US election will affect dental mergers and acquisitions

With less than 30 days until candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris face off to become the 47th US president, there is a sense that the country, and ...

Bias in dentistry and how it shapes the way dental professionals care for patients

Bias is an intrinsic aspect of human cognition, and healthcare professionals—including those in dentistry—are not immune to its influence. Understanding...

Removing the pain and stress of dental injections

Integrating the VibraJect dental needle accessory into one’s dental practice and including it as an integral part of an established injection protocol...

Save the Date for the Florida Dental Convention

Get ready to take your dental practice to the next level! Register today for the 2025 Florida Dental Convention (FDC2025). FDC2025 will take place June ...

“The beauty of the Midwinter Meeting lies in the range and depth of its scientific programme”

Known for its expansive scientific programme and wide-ranging opportunities for professional growth, the Midwinter Meeting continues to attract a global ...

Systemic and dental factors affecting the prognosis of teeth

The greatest challenge in treatment planning is to assign a predictable accurate prognosis. In the era of evidence-based dentistry, outcome studies have ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 23 September 2025
10:00 AM EST (New York)