Treatment planning is all important – everything relies on it. Before I actually start the treatment, I find that I need to be able to see the end result in my mind. It’s important for predictability that we are able to scientifically prove that we can do it before we begin, especially as there are so many things that might potentially go wrong during implant treatment.
Previously, clinicians might show patients a photoshopped image of what they hope their smile might look like. However, this might not necessarily be achievable. The only way to show the patient the end result is by using a diagnostic wax-up. This is a very expensive laboratory procedure and, in this presentation at the ADI Team Congress, Bryan Matthews will present the digital software which now replaces the diagnostic wax-up, enabling us to show patients exactly what their final outcome will look like.
Gaining informed consent
As mentioned, digital tools have changed the way we work. They allow the dental surgeon to create a treatment plan that they can then show the patient. This might be by showing a virtual model on the screen or, ideally, by 3D printing a model. Where possible, a before and after model should both be printed. Patients should then be able to look at each of these and also of course look in the mirror, see the comparison, and ask any questions they may have. Additionally, this is a great way for patients to request changes – pointing out where they might think that teeth are too wide, or long for example – enabling patients to get involved in the planning of their own treatment.
My main reason for choosing the title ‘Changing lives’ for my presentation is that, over the last couple of years, three patients have told me I have changed their lives. This is why I believe it’s so important that we have the knowledge and education to take on complex cases, and, conferences like this one will be part of your education to go to the next level of competence.
The relationship between clinicians and dental technicians
As part of my session, I will be inviting Bryan to present how the digital side of the process works in the lab, to help show and explain the whole process in a well-rounded way. I hope that delegates will come away from our session with a good understanding of the digital workflow. Digital dentistry allows clinicians to circumvent a diagnostic wax up, which would previously involve cutting down a physical model and hand-crafting them to the correct end result. Now, we are able to digitally create a real-life end result, helping us to obtain full consent.
Digital dentistry is definitely the future. It allows us to be very accurate in our diagnosis and treatment planning processes. It allows a workflow in the dental laboratory that enables technicians to create the end result and make it fit the patient’s occlusion as perfectly as possible.
Valuable lessons for delegates at ADI Team Congress 25
I hope that delegates attending my session will understand how important treatment planning is – patients are able to see the end result before we start. This is essential for medico-legal consent. I also hope that attendees will understand how digital software works, by improving accuracy and predictability for example.
I’m a teacher, I’m an educator. I believe that dentists performing implant dentistry must learn from many different sources about how to proceed with different treatment types. Drawing on their knowledge and experiences, clinicians must then develop workflows that work best for them. The only way to do this effectively is to attend a wide range of different lectures. The ADI Team Congress is perfect for this, allowing delegates to gain knowledge and different ideas of how to handle cases.
My father, who was a professor and dean of a dental school always told me, “We should always learn from other peoples’ mistakes and keep up to date with all the latest techniques."