The trend in the area of dentistry is a shift from manual dental labs to digital ones, adopted to enhance efficiency and accuracy as well as patient contentment. The use of physical impressions has been a common practice in traditional dental labs for some time; however, numerous things are changing with the introduction of digital technology. Here is why digital dental laboratories are proving better than traditional dental laboratories:
Precision and Accuracy
Advanced imaging technologies like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and intraoral scanners are used by digital dental labs to obtain digital impressions that have a high level of detail about patients’ teeth and oral structures. Comparatively, these digital impressions are more accurate than the traditional physical ones which possess potentiality distortion or defects along their production chain.
Digital impressions provide greater precision so that dentists can manufacture better-fitting dental restorations such as implants, crowns, bridges, etc. These restorations can be designed with even greater detail enabling perfect fit, function, and appearance for every individual patient. Henceforth, an enhancement in accuracy results in improved patient satisfaction.
Faster Turnaround Times
Traditional dental labs often require shipping of physical impressions back and forth which can lead to delays due to transportation and processing time. Digital dental labs, on the other hand, simplify the process by eradicating the need for physical impressions.
Technicians at dental labs receive data of digital impressions very fast hence they design and make restorations straight away. Such reductions in turnaround times are a huge medical boon since this allows patients to get their prosthetic teeth in good time while minimizing multiple sessions that could have been conducted.
Enhanced Patient Experience
What digital dental technology does is, enhance the overall experience of the patient by reducing discomfort or pain. Digital labs eliminate the messy impression material that causes gagging or discomfort. In addition, intraoral scanners used in digital labs are compact and comfortable for patients hence reducing the discomfort associated with traditional methods.
Also, dentists can use digital technology to display digital pictures of the patient’s teeth and expected treatment results. Consequently, the patients who see this representation visually would be more likely to make informed decisions concerning their options for treatment.
Improved Communication and Collaboration
Labs used for digital dentistry aim at harmonizing communication as well as interaction among dentists, technicians, and specialists. Digital impressions and treatments can be electronically exchanged which would help for immediate correction and comments if necessary. Because everybody is engaged in this cooperation, from the dentist to the patient, different issues can be addressed much faster. When there is a need, experts who are practitioners from different places can look at patient records together without meeting physically, they can discuss cases via video conferencing, which would make it an optimum treatment.
Cost Efficiency and Sustainability
Initial costs of investing in advanced software for dental treatment might be higher but in the long run, dental labs with digital equipment are cheaper than labs with traditional equipment. When you use digital systems, there is nothing like making cast materials that will end up as waste as there are physical models that need shipping and storage. Again, digital solutions help dentists operate more sustainable practices as they are environmentally friendly in terms of emissions. For example, (Computer-Aided Design/ Computer-Aided Manufacturing) systems use fewer resources and chemicals compared to traditional labs.
Conclusion
This blog concludes that the adoption of digital dental laboratories is an important advancement in current dental work. Digital dental labs improve their precision, efficiency, and patient happiness by using digital impressions, CAD/CAM technologies, and advanced imaging systems. While at the same time encouraging innovative ideas in dental services they make better workflows and decrease turnaround times, improve communication, and support sustainability. One area where the effects of this advance are only beginning to be realized is in the painstaking, demanding field that has acted as the mainstay for dental labs; this advancement could exceed every other known practice! It is anticipated that this gradual growth will eventually result in its shift into traditional work since it has found a place in other conservative industries.
Learn about Uptown Dental Lab & Milling Center, the premier dental lab in Houston, TX. We have set a new benchmark in dental care by embracing digital dentistry. Our lab is ideal for fulfilling all your needs when it comes to anything from complex implant restorations to just simple dental veneers. Uptown Dental Lab is a place where innovation combines with extraordinary skills. Make an appointment now!