Thanks to advances in digital dentistry, visits to the dentist are becoming faster, safer and more comfortable than ever. But what exactly is digital dentistry and why does it have such an impact on the level of care you receive? If you are curious about digital dentistry, we will describe how computers can help us restore your confident smile.

Digital dentistry involves the use of dental devices that use digital components or computerized, artificial intelligence and innovative software. On the other hand, in a traditional workflow mechanical or electrical procedures are used.

Digital dentistry technologies

In a dental office there are a variety of diagnostic and treatment techniques that require the use of computer-controlled technology.

Digital dentistry transforms almost every aspect of professional oral care, from the moment you schedule a consultation, the first session, when our doctors will assess your oral health, to the diagnosis and treatment of any ailments or diseases you may have. Some digital dental tools you may come across during Platinum Dental Center sessions include:

Digital photography

Professional photos taken at the clinic are important for both the doctor and the patient. Dental photography is the main element on the basis of which a digital analysis and planning of the treatment can be performed. In addition, a "digital smile design" can be made and simulations can be prepared with the treatment result. Thus, patients have the opportunity to see how their teeth have evolved, especially if they wear orthodontic appliances and their treatment lasts for a longer period, maybe a few years.

The use of digital photography and the "digital smile design" technique in dentistry is often a good communication tool within the medical team, but also between doctors and patients. A complex oral rehabilitation requires the collaboration of several specialists and dental technicians to obtain optimal results.

Digital radiography

X-rays have been used in dental offices for a very long time, but the traditional process delivered a higher dose of radiation to the patient and required the processing of the film, which took a longer time and cost a lot. Digital radiography is much faster, images are immediately available for viewing on a computer screen and the radiation dose received by the patient is extremely low. If you want to know more or you are curious about the radiation dose in the case of a 3D radiograph (CBCT) read this post.

Intraoral scanning and CAD / CAM technology (computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing)

Not long ago - but in most dental practices even today - dentists put a sticky substance (impression material) in a special spoon, put it in the patient's mouth in the right position and held it there for a few minutes, until the material hardens. . This tooth imprint was sent to a laboratory where the dental technician manufactured any prosthetic device the patient needed. This technique has several major disadvantages, such as: unpleasant or even nausea during the procedure, shrinkage of the learning material, which results in inaccurate matching of the prosthetic work, but can also cause damage to a fragile tooth.

In comparison, our intra-oral scanner creates a 3D digital image of the mouth with an accuracy of 0.02 mm, which dental technicians download via the Internet and can use to design a prosthetic work on the computer (crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays , bridges, restorations on implants or prostheses), and the work is milled from a block of material - zirconium or ceramic - or 3D printed, in the case of temporary works.

Also, clear aligner braces are designed based on a 3D x-ray and a fingerprint. Scenarios can be created and simulations of different orthodontic maneuvers can be prepared just before treatment, in order to ensure the patient an effective treatment with predictable results.

Aceste aparate si software-uri inglobeaza tehnologii de inteligenta artificiala (AI) si sunt actualizate constant, ducand stomatologia digitala la un alt nivel de fiecare data.

Digitally guided implantology

This relatively new innovation is not yet widely used. However, it helps dental professionals identify the most accurate and effective way to place an implant in the specific structure of the jaw, using an intraoral scan and a CBCT x-ray. According to a study by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million Americans receive at least one dental implant each year. This number increases every year, and this growth trend is observable in Romania as well. This innovation ensures the best possible dental implant treatment in 2021. If you want to know more about the advantages of this procedure and how to perform implant-guided implants at Platinum Dental Center, read this post

Computer anesthesia

A modern and increasingly used solution in medical offices around the world is computer anesthesia. This is a device that injects the anesthetic solution with a constant speed and ideal pressure, depending on the type of anesthesia being performed. Depending on this aspect, the tissue instead of the injection may be more or less extensible or even a completely inextensible site, such as the intraligamentary space. Strong injection in areas where the tissue is "rigid" - for example in the palate - is extremely painful for the patient, and the injection speed is very important: slow injection at a constant rate is almost impossible with a classic anesthesia syringe. .

We recommend computerized anesthesia, because it has many benefits for the patient:

• precise and painless administration, even in sensitive areas
• anesthesia of a single tooth, without numbness of the lips, tongue or cheeks
• anesthesia is installed immediately
• the required number of injections is lower due to the amount of serum controlled by the device
• the instrument looks like a pen and thus disappears the unpleasant sensation created by the sight of the classic syringe, which is very important for children

The advantages of digital dentistry

The goal of digital dentistry is to increase the efficiency and accuracy of dental treatments, while producing predictable and predictable clinical results. Patients may not directly identify the elements of technology integrated into the practice, but recognize that the overall experience is efficient, gentler, and more comfortable.

Digital development in dentistry brings the need for a completely new set of skills for dental professionals. Even if the artistic part of the whole process remains, the instruments are different. "Digital skill" is now needed to perform dental restoration. This requires continuous effort and education from our dentists, participation in specialized courses and trainings.

The development of new technologies and techniques in dentistry requires major investments from clinics, but it also offers a variety of benefits for patients:

1. Accurate diagnosis of diseases

Dentists can use digital dentistry techniques to accurately identify, diagnose and treat oral diseases in the early stages. Unlike traditional X-ray images, digital radiography images can be enlarged, edited, and measured. For this reason, an exact representation of the patient's teeth and oral anatomy can be displayed on a display. With high-precision diagnoses, treatments can be more comprehensive and effective, and early detection improves clinical outcomes and reduces recovery time.

2. Reducing the time required for treatment and eliminating errors

Following a consultation, digital and radiological images are immediately available for the dental laboratory, but patients can easily view them on the screen. Digital planning of prosthetic restorations - crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers, bridges - is a work that fits perfectly, so the doctor no longer has to spend time adapting them.

These benefits stand out especially when the patient receives dental implants with the help of a surgical guide. You can read more about this technology in this post. However, many times patients do not see and are not aware that this technology requires detailed planning and a lot of "back-office" work on the part of the dentist.

3. Improved patient experience

Digital imaging has also allowed our doctors to reduce the use of traditional fingerprinting materials, which many patients find uncomfortable. Instead of taking a fingerprint, your dentist can easily scan your teeth with a 3D scanner. In general, our patients find that using a 3D scanner is much more comfortable.

By using these technologies, our goal is to offer premium quality treatmentsat the same time, to minimize the pain and discomfort of patients and to help them go through these experiences much easier, safer and more confident, giving them a positive perception about the visit to the dentist. 

“Every smile makes you look younger".- Chinese proverb