It’s no secret that people are relying more and more on computers these days. After all, computers are getting so advanced that they’re beating humans at chess and defeating past champions on Jeopardy! Even the dental industry is starting to utilize computers for the efficiency and precision they provide. Specifically, dentists are using computers to make teeth, dentures and even dental implants.
How Computer-Aided Dental Implants Work
Known as computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (aka CAD CAM), the computer-aided dental implant process is making it easier for dentists to identify the specific needs of each patient. Here’s how it works:
- The dentist uses a computer to scan your mouth and create a customized image of your teeth.
- The computer aids the dentist in determining the ideal position for your dental implants.
- The dentist creates a virtual tooth using a computer and sends it to the milling machine.
- Using a block of ceramic or resin, the computer-aided milling machine creates a real tooth/prosthesis.
- The dentist places the dental implant in your mouth.
Not only do computers aid in planning and executing the dental implant procedure, they have a variety of other benefits as well.
The Benefits of Using a Computer to Design Dental Implants
According to a recent report from the Dental Health Channel of the Ivanhoe Newswire, “the CAD CAM process takes much less time than a conventional procedure, which can take weeks… it costs about 30% less as well.” Here are some of the other benefits of using a computer to design dental implants:
- It creates a better fit since the dental implant has an optimal shape.
- It results in a more beautiful dental implant that more accurately reflects the look of your natural teeth.
- It can correct or replace the mistakes of conventional procedures. If you have a previous dental implant that’s uncomfortable, broken or placed improperly, computer-aided implants can replace it with a proper one.
- It allows for multiple implants to be placed in the same session.
Computers are changing the way things work and dental implants are no different. If you’d like to know more about dental implants and if you’re a candidate, schedule an appointment with us today!
As a second-generation dentist,Dr. Matiasevich was raised in Santa Cruz. Dr. Matiasevich completed his undergraduate work in economics at the University of California Irvine and then attended the University of Southern California for his dental degree.