CDEN0110

32 I I feature _ interview requirements and preferred treatment methods of the practitioner involved, and the financial costs to the patient have to be considered as well. Besideszirconiumoxideinfourdifferentcolours for restorations on natural teeth, implant abut- ments and screw-retained prosthetic solutions, aluminium oxide is available as the material of choice in aesthetically demanding areas, for exam- ple in the anterior dentition. Titanium can be used inallcasesinwhichzirconiumoxideisnotclinically acceptable. We are also going to extend the material offer- ing in the upcoming weeks with cobalt-chrome alloys and acrylics. I expect our laboratory clients will appreciate this offering, as they can pass this on to their clinical partners for support of all clini- cal indications. _How do these developments benefit the long- term success rates of conventional and implant- supportedrestorations? For Nobel Biocare, long-term success is prima- rily connected to the safety and quality standards we offer our patients and customers. Owing to our manyyearsofexperienceintheCAD/CAMfieldand our high requirements of material and product quality, we are able to offer a five-year warranty on all our products, based on the harmonised working processes and the support we give the user regard- ing optimal construction design. For example, the softwaretakesmaterial-relatedspecificationsdur- ing the virtual framework design into account and warns users if requirements for dimensional sta- bility are not met. _Critics say that the automated fabrication of dental restorations may be the death of dental technologyasweknowit.Whatisyourresponse? Definitely not. In a tough market environment liketheoneweareoperatinginnow,large-capacity laboratories, as well as small- and medium-sized companies gain significant advantages from using CAD/CAM. Improved efficiency and rationalisation donotautomaticallyresultinareducedworkforce. In fact, there are new opportunities for specialisa- tion. Human resources, for example, can be used more economically, as uneconomical and time- consuming production steps, such as cast fabri- cation and moulding, are eliminated. The answer to whether it would be profitable to run an own milling system in the laboratory is also no. Only large-capacity milling centres can do this. Ongoing observation of all production processes, constant surrounding conditions and freedom of choice of materials and their complementary milling systems are only a few reasons that speak for a centralised fabrication of frameworks. In addition, time-consuming maintenance, updating and the need to change milling heads are elimi- nated, which can only be economical under full capacity. However, we do not only talk about shortening and simplifying the production processes but also about minimising risks that could result from CAD/CAM-produced restorations. Remaking in- correctly fitting restorations no longer strains the budgetoflaboratoriesbecauseifthesesystemsare utilisedcorrectly,freeremakesareusuallyincluded in the warranty. _What consequences will arise from these developmentsfordentaltechnicians? Inthenearfuture,wewillseefurtherspecialisa- tions and the rise of new professional categories, for example dental designers and dental engineers. These new professionals will play a pivotal role in dentist–patient communication. By eliminating inefficient and error-prone working processes, moreresourceswillbeavailableforsuchimportant aspectsastreatmentplanningandcommunication with practitioners, as well as the functional and aesthetic finish of the restoration. Needless to say, this new CAD/CAM technology won’t be able to replace the individual experience and expertise of dental staff. However, it is a useful addition to ensuring our patients the best quality and safety._ cosmeticdentistry 1_2010 Fig. 2_The NobelProcera Scanner.