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CDEN0310

20 I I clinical report _ imaging Fig. 10a_Assistant in one of our operatories taking optical impression with iTero. Fig. 10b_Milled model from iTero scan that was sent to laboratory. Fig. 10c_Finished restorations on iTero model. cosmeticdentistry 3_2010 would need to render an opinion and determine a fee for the procedure. They respond to our com- munication and we inform the patient and review the treatment and fee. Then the patient merely calls andsetsupthetreatmentvisit.Thisworksextremely well for routine referrals, but complex cases still warrant separate specialty examinations (Fig. 8). With CBCT’s dramatic impact on diagnostic im- aging, Internet data transfers are becoming more important. Most dentists are still unfamiliar with reading 3-D radiographic images and in the US, many dentists use the services of oral and maxillo- facialradiologiststointerpretthoseimagesinorder to rule out possible pathologies. These image files are very large and thus usually need to be uploaded to an FTP site (Figs. 9a & b). Another expanding 3-D technology that was first introduced 25 years ago was the original Cerec CAD/ CAMsystem(Sirona),a3-Dopticalimpressionsystem. There are several major companies that use different imagingtechnologieswithsimilarresultsthatexceed the accuracies of traditional impression materials— 3MLavaCOSusesstreamingvideo,iTero(Cadent,Inc.) useslaseroptics,CerecAC(Sirona)usesBlucam—and there are some companies ready to introduce con- focal digital impression technology (Figs. 10a–c). _Conclusion Hopefully this article has painted a realistic pic- ture of what is actually possible in a clinical practice. Dr Omer Reed, a dentist visionary from Phoenix, Arizona, said over 40 years ago, “If something has beendone,itisprobablypossible.”Therearedentists all over the world solving clinical issues for their patients by expanding the applications of existing technology in unique and different ways, pushing the envelope of science and art beyond the original intention and capability. Technology should not be thefocusofthedentalpractice,butshouldbetrans- parent and used when it provides solutions for your patients’ concerns. The focus of technology is to allow us to provide better and more cost-effective services. As Dr Gordon Christensen, founder of Clin- ical Research, has been saying for decades: “Better, faster and cheaper is the mantra for justifying the investment expense for technology integration.” So it is evident that imaging in dentistry has be- come an integral part of every phase of dentistry. Unfortunately at this time, there is no single source that provides all these applications in a neat pack- age; thus, the challenge of total seamless integra- tionremainselusiveandmayneverbefullyrealised. If I have learned anything from my personal journey in technology implementation, it is that as soon as I have incorporated any new application, there undoubtedly will be limitations with new and different solutions right around the corner._ “Theonlyconstantischange,continuingchange, inevitable change that is the dominant factor in societytoday.Nosensibledecisioncanbemadeany longer without taking into account not only the worldasitis,buttheworldasitwillbe.” —Isaac Asimov DrClaudioM.Levatoisinaprivate practicethathasinvestedheavilyin leading-edgetechnologiesforover 30years,spanningfivecomputer systemsandtransitioningdifferent operatingsystemstocreateafully integrateddigitalpatientrecord sharedintwolocations.DrLevato isanauthorandlectureronleading-edgetechnologyand servesonseveralclinicaladvisoryboardsforradiologyand restorativedentalcompanies.Hecanbecontactedat: Comprehensive Dentistry,Ltd. 183 S.Bloomingdale Road,Suite 200 Bloomingdale,IL 60108 USA Tel.:+1 630 529 2522 Fax:+1 630 529 2270 E-mail:clevato@comprehensivedentistry.com Website:www.comprehensivedentistry.com cosmeticdentistry _about the author Fig. 10a Fig. 10b Fig. 10c