AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST47 GOING DIGITAL When dentistry is more pleasurable, everything changes. The reality is that digital dentistry is the new reality. “We use an intraoral scanner for every patient at every examination,” Dr Holmes says. “Going digital gives us incredible imagery and precise detail for tracking changes, planning treatments, showing and discussing plans and options with clients, designing dental restorations from crowns, bridges and veneers through to precise mapping of teeth colour, health and position.” But what she says it really gives is access to a new reality in insight, speed, teamwork and communication that take a lot of the drag out of everyday life, and open the gates to the new realities that only digital tech can give. In the case of tooth whitening procedures, Dr Holmes says Illumident can now open the conversation using digital scans on the day, on-screen with the patient, custom-design a treatment plan tooth-by-tooth, and even custom print whitening trays all in under an hour, using a digital printer with instructions straight from the chair. “It’s really a whole new world,” she explains. “We can actually show our patients their mouths, and most of them very much enjoy the engagement. We can show them what implants, veneers and whitening can do for them, for example, on screen, in precise detail, in the moment, and share that across the practice instantly, as well as generate excellent records and case histories.” Dentists say this engagement provides enthusiasm, connection, optimism, warmth, and even joy – antidotes to the strain and distress that is hounding the profession. Dentist and mentor Marcus White on Youtube from London is also encouraging dentists globally to see the digital practice as a solution to professional stress and gateway to an entirely new lifestyle. He says nudging dentists toward digital might be the most valuable thing he ever does in his own career. His message is that being able to connect more with patients, activate and engage the whole dental team at the touch of a screen and bring greater enjoyment to your professional life are the real gold at the digital frontier. “It’s like moving from the Dark Ages into the Future,” he says. “When I started with an intraoral scanner it was about accuracy and about replacing impression material, and it’s funny that that is the weakest argument to move into digital and the modern age.” Dr White says while going digital opens communication, and increases your power across the practice from the chair, it’s the barriers it pulls down which as most liberating and life-giving. While both dentists say there is just no looking back, they also give the same clear advice: who you choose to as your digital partner matters. “It’s not really a question of whether this is the right option,” says Dr Holmes, “it’s about accepting that, getting interested and finding the brands that will give you great support, good training and backup and the best interface to build on.” X Australia’s Best Range of Matrices
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