The dental industry, like many others, has been revolutionized by digitalization. Digital technologies are providing dental professionals with advanced tools, resulting in more efficient workflows, better treatment outcomes, and enhanced patient satisfaction. 

Some key benefits include:

• Increased Productivity: Automation and enhanced digital workflows reduce treatment times and allow clinics to treat more patients with greater efficiency. 
• Enhanced Patient Comfort: These advancements minimize chairside time and enable less invasive procedures, greatly improving the overall patient experience.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Digital processes reduce the need for physical materials, shipping, and energy consumption, promoting a more sustainable dental practice.

Key Digital Dentistry Technologies 

With the adoption of digital tools, traditional methods are being transformed, resulting in significant improvements in dental care outcomes. Here are the major digital technologies shaping the future of dentistry:

3D Printing

3D printing is a game-changer in dentistry, allowing the creation of precise dental models and prosthetics directly from digital scans. This technology eliminates much of the manual work involved in traditional production processes, speeding up workflows and improving accuracy in prosthetic design. 

Digital Analogues for 3D Models

Digital analogues are essential for replicating implant positions in 3D-printed models. DESS® offers a comprehensive range of digital analogues, compatible with over 30 implant systems. 

Features include: 

• Flat-face design for precise X and Y-axis alignment. 
• Bottom screw for secure Z-axis positioning. 
• Color-coded anodization for easy identification and streamlined workflows.

Explore the full range of DESS® Digital Analogues here.

Intraoral Scanners

Intraoral scanners have replaced traditional dental impressions, offering more accurate digital representations of patients’ mouths. This technology not only enhances precision but also improves patient comfort by reducing time spent in the clinic.

Implant Scanning and Scan Abutments

Implant scanning captures the precise position of implants and converts the data into a digital model for CAD software to design customized prosthetics. DESS® Scan Abutments provide an efficient and highly accurate solution for capturing implant data. These Scan Abutments are compatible with 32 different implant systems and can be used for both intraoral and lab scanning.

Key features of DESS® Scan Abutments include: 

• Surface Enhancement Treatments: periocoat®, a patented ZrN coating, offers high corrosion resistance and hardness. Combined with SelectGrip® surface treatment, this enhances scanning accuracy while preventing glitter effects. 
• Optimized Design: Features like a screw top with notches for a tactile “click” effect when fully screwed in, no sharp edges to avoid scan interference, and an EXTISA Scan Abutment Extender for deep implant positions, ensure the best possible scanning results.

For more details on DESS® Scan Abutments, click here.

DESS® CAD Libraries: Third-Party Compatibility

DESS® is the first company to incorporate multiple Scan bodies from leading manufacturers into its CAD libraries. This allows dental professionals to continue using Scan bodies they are familiar with, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of digital systems without the need to invest in new devices. 

Explore our guide to compatible Scan Bodies here.

Photogrammetry in Full-Arch Restorations

The integration of photogrammetry with digital workflows has greatly improved accuracy in full-arch implant restorations. Photogrammetry captures implant and Multi-Unit positions in three dimensions, providing a precise passive fit, which is critical for minimizing stress on implants. When combined with intraoral scanning, it delivers a complete digital record of both implant positioning and soft tissue details, resulting in better outcomes for All-on-X restorations.

DESS® collaborates with PIC Dental®, offering CAD libraries specifically designed for the PIC System, ensuring superior results in conjunction with DESS® Multi-Unit Abutments. 

Discover the DESS® Libraries compatible with PIC System here.

Customized Dental Abutments

While traditional Ti-Bases offer limited customization options, DESS® pre-milled blanks empower dental labs to create customized abutments that fit individual patient needs more naturally. 

DESS® Pre-Milled Blanks are available in 28 different compatibilities and allow the customization of gingival profiles and abutment shapes. The ASC Blanks (Angulated Screw Channel) offer a 25-degree channel correction for complex cases, designed for NobelActive® and Straumann® Bone Level implant systems. These blanks ensure a precise fit and superior aesthetic results.

Discover the full range of DESS® Pre-Milled Blanks and ASC Blanks here.

Conclusion 

At DESS®, we continue to push the boundaries of digital dentistry by offering innovative solutions that streamline workflows, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve patient comfort. Our comprehensive digital tools provide dental professionals with everything they need to deliver exceptional care while promoting sustainability in their practice. 

Explore more about DESS® Digital Solutions here.