Digital Prosthodontics

Digital dentistry has revolutionized the way Prosthodontics is practiced. Most of the clinical and laboratory procedures can now be performed by utilizing digital means. Although the analog approach is still used by many restorative dentists, the continuous evolution of the digital instruments and associated software pushes the dental market towards the digital direction. Medical and dental history is today completed with electronic questionnaires, digital radiography assists the dentists in fast and accurate diagnosis, digital photography and 3D face scanning combined with appropriate software help dentists in treatment planning, and patients in assessing the final restorative result and promote treatment plan acceptance. Implant placement has been made very predictable with the evolution of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), printed surgical stents, and robotic implant placement. Preliminary and final impressions have been substituted by teeth and soft tissues intraoral scanning. This technology assisted in patient comfort, impression material and dental stone reduction, in-office space saving and rapid communication between dental practices and laboratories. Dental offices have also now the option to deliver to their patients provisional and definitive restorations in one appointment, increasing patient satisfaction and reducing laboratory fees in this way.