Digital dentistry leverages technology to enhance various aspects of dental practice, from diagnosis and treatment planning to restorative and prosthetic procedures. Here's a list of equipment and materials commonly used in digital dentistry:
1. Intraoral Scanners: Intraoral scanners are used for capturing digital impressions of the patient's teeth and oral cavity. Some popular intraoral scanner brands include 3Shape, Planmeca, and iTero.
2. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): CBCT machines are used for three-dimensional imaging, aiding in implant planning, oral surgery, and orthodontics. Brands like Sirona, Planmeca, and Carestream offer CBCT systems.
3. CAD/CAM Systems: Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems are used for designing and fabricating dental restorations. Brands like CEREC (Dentsply Sirona), 3Shape, and Exocad offer CAD/CAM solutions.
4. Dental Milling Machines: These machines mill dental restorations from blocks or disks of materials like zirconia and PMMA. Brands include Roland DG, Amann Girrbach, and vhf camfacture AG.
5. 3D Printers: 3D printers are used for producing models, surgical guides, and other dental components. Brands like Formlabs and Asiga offer dental-specific 3D printers.
6. Dental Materials: Various dental materials are used in digital dentistry, including resins, ceramics, zirconia, and metals for restorations, as well as impression materials for digital scanning.
7. Digital Imaging Software: Software for processing and analyzing digital images and 3D scans. It's essential for treatment planning and sharing diagnostic information with patients. Brands like Romexis, 3Shape, and Planmeca offer imaging software.
8. Dental Design Software: CAD software is used to design dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Brands like Exocad, 3Shape, and Dental Wings provide design software.
9. CBCT Software: Software for viewing and analyzing CBCT images for treatment planning. Brands like Invivo and Anatomage offer CBCT software.
10. Dental Practice Management Software: Practice management software helps with appointment scheduling, billing, patient records, and communication. Popular brands include Dentrix, Eaglesoft, and Open Dental.
11. Digital Radiography: Digital X-ray sensors and phosphor plate systems offer digital imaging solutions for diagnosis. Brands like Dexis, Schick, and Carestream provide digital radiography solutions.
12. Dental Education Software: Educational software helps in patient education and treatment planning presentations. Brands like Spear Education offer such solutions.
13. Virtual Articulators: These are used in digital dentistry to simulate and evaluate occlusion for restorative cases.
14. Dental CAD/CAM Blocks and Discs: These are materials like zirconia, PMMA, and glass ceramics used in CAD/CAM milling for crowns, bridges, and more. Brands include Vita, Ivoclar Vivadent, and Sagemax.
15. 3D Printing Resins: Resins are used in 3D printing for producing dental models and surgical guides. Brands like Formlabs and DWS Systems offer dental resins.
16. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): These technologies can be used for patient education and treatment planning, providing immersive experiences.
17. Teledentistry Solutions: Digital technologies enable remote consultation and monitoring of patients.
18. Data Security and HIPAA Compliance Tools: Tools for securing and managing patient data in compliance with healthcare regulations.
Digital dentistry is a rapidly evolving field, and the specific equipment and materials you need may vary depending on your practice's focus and goals. It's crucial to stay up to date with the latest advancements in digital dental technology and consider the unique requirements of your practice when investing in equipment and materials for digital dentistry.