Say Aaaaargh! Changing the tone of modern dentistry

A patient recently brought this newspaper picture in to the practice. We all laughed and it made me think about how Dentistry has changed in general and at Helens Bay in particular. I have been in practice here for 23 years in October and love the changes we can offer patients and the tools at our disposal.

The rate of change has quickened in the last 5 years as the digital revolution gathers pace.

For the last 10 years we have been able to image a tooth and construct a crown in a few hours allowing smiles to be restored in a single visit.

This years latest technology has advanced to imaging multiple teeth to make bridges, crowns, veneers and crowns for implants. More same day solutions to resolve smile issues.

We don’t need sticky impressions for this work! Accurate digital images capture all the information we need.

To allow placement of implants with greater accuracy we can make a virtual guide, digitally imaged and manufactured in-house.

For patients undergoing orthodontic treatment no impressions are necessary the camera captures all the information we need with accuracy and clarity.

Last week, a patient was referred to me with both upper front teeth damaged beyond repair to see what his options were. The good news for him was that because of our imaging technology his options are much superior to this time last year in terms of speed of outcome.

We removed the broken teeth and then placed an implant into each tooth socket.

We digitally scanned the implants and designed two crowns on the computer screen and milled them.

When ready and polished we screwed them onto the implants and in 3 hours we gave him back his smile. I was almost as delighted as the patient.

When I started in Helens bay I couldn’t have foreseen what my daily workflow was going to be but it fills me with enthusiasm for the future anticipating what I may be doing next.