today IDS Cologne Show Preview

n Dental CAD/CAM technology has recentlyundergoneenormousdevel- opment.Atthemoment,itisthemost innovative segment in dentistry and will again be the focal point of this year’s International Dental Show (IDS), where plenty of manufactur- ers are going to showcase new sys- temsandCAD/CAMsolutions.While dental technology was the primary focus in the past, developers are now also looking at the manner in which these technologies can be applied to the dental practice. Digital impres- sions play a key role in this process. Manufacturers are currently making large investments in this technology and are thus able to con- stantly introduce new innovations. In this particular field—handheld systems for precise 3-D surface measurements—dentistry is the fore- runner of all other engineering sci- ences, a fact that acknowledges the pioneer achievement of these devel- opments. While there was a level of cau- tion with regard to the accuracy of full jaw scans, new clinical studies and trials confirm that intra-oral, 3-D systems now produce results that are almost comparable to con- ventional impression methods. In addition, handling and integration into the practice workflow have beendevelopedtosuchadegreethat these systems can now be used for the treatment of dental patients. Further examples are functional diagnosticswithvirtualarticulators, implant treatment planning through the combination of DVT data and intra-oral scans that allow for chair- sideproductionofsurgicalguides,as well as facial scans serving as a base for a secure prosthetic planning. However, CAD/CAM technology is not limited to the fabrication of dental restorations. Computerised dentistry is now also influencing otherfieldsindentistry,suchasdiag- nostics, 3-D assessment and digital storage.Owingtothesedevelopments, complex approaches have become simplified and can better be inte- grated into the daily practice—all for the benefit of the patient. As a result of these new developments, which offer completely new opportunities for the daily workflow of the dental practice, dentists will have to be- come acquainted with these new technologies. Only well-educated den- tists and dental technicians are able toassessthedifferencesbetweenthe available systems and technologies. Just as studying material science en- ablesconfidenthandlingofdifferent materials, the basics of comput- erised dentistry must find their way into the dental curriculum. The upcoming IDS will prove that the time is ripe! 7 trends08 Show Preview IDS Cologne 2011 5 Progress in dentistry: digitally completed full arch model, computed with CEREC Connect software —the basis for the production of the model and the construction and milling of the framework (Image courtesy of Sirona). AD n Dentists and dental technicians who visit the next International DentalShowinCologneinGermany will have more dental CAD/CAM systemsattheirdisposal.According to preliminary figures of the or- ganiser Koelnmesse, the number of companies planning to showcase thelatesttechnologyinthisfieldhas increasedbyalmost50percent.The last show in 2009 only saw 89 com- paniesexhibitingCAD/CAMrelated products. Digital processes are increas- ingly determining the day-to-day work in dental practices and labora- tories due to increasing demand for dental prosthetic devices in most Westernmarkets.Inaddition,prices for high-value materials like zirco- nia and ceramics have fallen signifi- cantly over the last two years. A 2010 report by the Canadian Millen- nium Research Group predicted the global dental CAD/CAM market to grow strongly through 2014 despite the economic challenges that den- tists have to face because of the recession. Prof.AlbertMehl,currentlyGuest Professor at the Centre for Dentistry and Oral Medicine at the University of Zürich, sees many advantages in the new technology. “The enormous potentialofdigitalscanninghasbeen recognised by the industry and thus is currently in heavy development,” he told today international. “As soon as quality and practicability have been demonstrated within clinical environments, amortisation will no longer be an issue.” 7 CAD/CAM thrives at IDSCAD/CAM technology,the seed for a new kind of dentistry By Prof.Albert Mehl,Switzerland