Dental Technology Can Help Reduce Patients In-Office Time

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Conferences
Article Date: 09 Jul 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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Technology is the way of the future, or at least the way of the American future, which is why dentists throughout the United States have increased their use of digital technology. And as making a better use of patients' two most useful resources: time and money becomes increasingly important in the practice of dentistry, technology becomes the key to success. Dennis J. Fasbinder, DDS, MAGD, ABGD will help dentists decrease the amount of time that patients' spend in the office by leading a discussion and providing information about using computer-assisted design and computer-assisted machining (CAD/CAM) technology at the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) 57th Annual Meeting, which is taking place in Baltimore, Md., July 8 - 12, 2009.

Though CAD/CAM technology has been used in the manufacturing industry for many years, Dr. Fasbinder's course will help dentists learn more about how to integrate and utilize CAD/CAM technology for porcelain restorations in their office. "We would like patients to know that this technology can help them get a long lasting, well-fitted porcelain restoration as effectively and efficiently as possible," says Dr. Fasbinder. "Patients no longer have to make multiple trips to a dental office to take an impression, get a temporary crown fitted, or have a second or third visit to get the final crown placed. The procedure can now be completed in a single visit, saving the patient precious time and money."

Tour Exhibit Floor to See This Technology

As an organization that stands firm in their belief of education, one of the AGD's exhibitors, Sirona Dental Systems, LLC (Sirona), one of the world's leading dental equipment and technology manufacturers, will provide in-person demonstrations of the CAD/CAM technology on the exhibit floor. "I feel that when attendees are provided hands-on opportunities to learn more about this technology, they will better understand the product and its clinical applications," says Dr. Fasbinder who will be using the CAD/CAM technology on Wednesday, July 8 to demonstrate how the system works as well as to discuss its benefits.

What is a Dental Restoration?

A dental restoration can include inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, and single and multiple tooth restorations, which are all required once a tooth is diminished and in need of strengthening to gain its, once, natural shape and size. Dental restoration is necessary in order to protect week teeth from fracturing, restore previously fractured teeth, cover badly shaped or discolored teeth, and when a tooth is broken down and fillings are unable to solve the problem.

CAD/CAM works to minimize the stress and strain that dental restoration can cause patients. According to Dr. Fasbinder, one of the most important advantages of the CAD/CAM technology is the convenience of the equipment in the dental office, reducing the time and cost of the appointment because the dentist no longer has to create an impression of the teeth. He says that there is also no need for a temporary restoration to be put in place or a return visit to provide the patient with a permanent restoration.

Dr. Fasbinder presented a program on chair-side CAD/CAM technology, to provide dentists an opportunity to critically evaluate the technique for integration in their practice. Dentists had a chance to use the system to create a digital impression of a tooth prepared for a crown, design the crown on the computer, and then mill the final porcelain crown. The introduction to the CAD/CAM application with the CEREC AC/Bluecam system was held Wednesday, July 8 . In addition, a number of companies featuring this technology will be available to visit on the exhibit floor, which is open for viewing Thursday, July 9 (11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.), Friday, July 10 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.), and Saturday, July 11 (9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.), 2009.

Source:
Joshauna Walker
Academy of General Dentistry