The use of technology in the modern world has become an integral part of various industries, including the dental industry.
In recent years, the use of computers has become increasingly common in dental labs, with the aim of improving the production process and streamlining the day-to-day dental practice workflow.
However, there has been some discussion as to how computers truly affect the landscape of modern dentistry. Computers have had a profound impact on digital dentistry, transforming the way dental professionals diagnose, plan, and treat dental conditions.
In today’s edition of Evident’s Lab-to-Lab Education Series, our team discusses how having the right computers with corresponding dental scanners can influence the efficiency of your practice.
The Importance of Computers in The Dental Lab
One of the main ways in which computers impact digital dentistry is through digital imaging. Digital imaging has replaced traditional radiographs and has become a standard tool in modern dental practices.
Digital imaging uses scanners in combination with computer technology to create high-quality images of teeth, gums, and other oral structures. These images are more accurate and detailed than traditional radiographs or manual impressions, allowing dental professionals to identify dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer with greater accuracy.
Another way in which computers impact digital dentistry is through computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. This technology allows dental professionals to design and manufacture custom dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, using computer software and hardware.
CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized the dental industry, enabling dental professionals to create precise and aesthetically pleasing dental restorations in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.
These primary avenues are where computers and scanners have become essential tools in the dental industry. In the past, dental professionals relied on traditional methods, which were time-consuming and prone to errors. However, with digital technologies, the scanning and modeling process has become much more accurate and efficient.
Intraoral scanners have become increasingly popular in the dental industry because of their speed and accuracy. Intraoral scanners use optical technology to create a digital impression of the patient’s teeth, eliminating the need for traditional impression materials such as putty. This technology is particularly useful for patients who have a gag reflex or have difficulty with traditional impressions.
Tabletop scanners are also widely used in the dental industry. These scanners use laser technology to create a digital impression of dental models.
Tabletop scanners are typically more accurate than intraoral scanners, although they may take more time to complete a scan. To explore how scanners work hand in hand with computers to produce efficient and accurate dental impressions, this session used both tabletop and intraoral scanners with different laptops and compared speed and accuracy.
Testing Different Laptops with the T710 and I700 scanners
The team used the T710 scanner, tabletop scanner, and the I-700, an intraoral scanner to demonstrate. Both scanners are known for their accuracy and speed in their respective categories, and by comparing their performance with three different laptops we were able to witness just how different computer specifications impact the quality of a scan.
Each laptop had different components, such as processors, memory, and graphics cards. These parts are among the most integral when it comes to achieving a digital dental impression, and the tests compared them side by side to determine how much of a difference we can expect as specs varied.
The results of the tests showed that the efficiency of the scanners was directly affected by the components of the computer. The laptop with the highest specifications was the most efficient, while the laptop with the lowest specifications was the least efficient.
Additionally, the laptop with the highest specifications produced the most accurate scans. As we discovered throughout the tests, your scan is only as good as your computer and settling for lower specs greatly compromises the integrity of digital impressions in the long run.
Precise and accurate scans are vital in producing high-quality dental products. Therefore, it is crucial to invest in a computer with the right components to ensure efficient scanning of impressions and models. This becomes especially true when using a combination of both a tabletop scanner and intraoral scanner.
The Benefits of Using a Combination of Intraoral and Tabletop Scanners
While intraoral and tabletop scanners are useful on their own, combining the two can significantly improve the scanning and modeling process’s efficiency and accuracy.
The combination of intraoral and tabletop scanners allows dental professionals to capture a more comprehensive view of the patient’s teeth. Intraoral scanners are useful for capturing the finer details of a patient’s teeth, while tabletop scanners are better at capturing the overall shape of the teeth and gums.
Combining the two can create a more complete and accurate model of the patient’s teeth. Additionally, having both types of scanners allows dental professionals to be more efficient.
Intraoral scanners are faster, while tabletop scanners are more accurate. By using both types of scanners, dental professionals can maximize their efficiency and accuracy, reducing the time it takes to create a model while still ensuring accuracy.
Conclusion
Computers impact digital dentistry by improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of dental procedures. Newer innovations and technology have replaced many traditional manual tasks, such as taking dental impressions and designing restorations and diagnostic wax-ups, with automated processes that are more accurate and less time-consuming.
This has allowed dental professionals to provide better care to their patients in less time, improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of errors.
In conclusion, computers have had a significant impact on digital dentistry, transforming the way dental professionals diagnose, plan, and treat dental conditions.
Digital imaging, CAD/CAM technology, improved communication, and increased speed and accuracy have revolutionized the field of dentistry. This being said, the efficiency of scans relies heavily on the equipment being used. Because digitizing a dental practice involves so much investment in time and resources, it’s crucial that clinics get the right equipment, the right scanners, and the right computers that can perform the scans effectively.
To get the full review and testing, you may view whole the webisode here.
As dental technology continues to advance, we can expect further innovations that will continue to improve patient outcomes and enhance the practice of dentistry. When it comes to Digital Dentistry, few come close to providing all around solutions the same way Evident does. We have a huge selection of digital equipment and custom CAD design services to help you scale your business the way you want.
What’s more, Evident works with you every step of the way, so your transition to digital is as seamless as possible. We focus on the technicalities so you can do what you do best. Give us a call and see how digital can grow your business in ways you’ve always dreamed.
