Digital Dentistry

Abstract:

Contemporary Dentistry has imposed a Digital transformation on each one of us in the current era. It is critical to be able to differentiate between Digitization and Digital, simultaneously building understanding on Digital transformation in Dentistry. It is noteworthy that the terms Digitalisation, Digitisation, and Digital transformation are often used interchangeably. The article attempts to clarify these terms while validating it's relevance in Dentistry. Paradigm shift is observed in the world of dentistry due to the Digital interventions. While we embark the Digital journey, there are significant developments and innovations in this domain influencing us currently and in the future.

Introduction to Digital Dentistry:

Paul Child Jr defined Digital Dentistry as “Any dental technology or device that incorporates digital or computer-controlled components in contrast to that of mechanical or electrical alone”. This broad definition can range from the most commonly thought area of digital dentistry — CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing) to those that may not even be recognized, such as computer-controlled delivery of nitrous oxide.

Simply stating, the conversion of any information from an analog format to a digital format can be stated as Digitization. While Digitalization is the process of deploying the digital information to improve business revenues, generate values and simplifying of operations. Digital transformation in Dentistry can be visualized as a perfect amalgamation of digitization and Digitalization in dental practice.

Digitization - Dentistry:

Digitization with respect to dentistry is the process of transforming physical information into digital.It profoundly encompasses the conversion of physical data sets into a digital format that can be computed for the purpose of process automation. It assists in laying the foundation for a precise catalog of relevant patient data along with ease in accessibility and reduction of operator’s time and efforts.

Examples could include the following:

• Scanning a patient’s old case history document and saving it on computer's hard drive as a digital document such as PDF (Portable Document Format).
• Upgrading from physical notes to inputting them in an Excel spreadsheet format, such as prescriptions and case history or workflow of patients.

Digitalization – Dentistry:

While we have observed the use of Digitization and Digitalization interchangeably, these are two distinct concepts.

Digitalization is the process of leveraging digitization to improve dental office processes. Digitalization is simply making digitized information work for you.The term refers to the use of data along with digital technologies to create value, improve business, and create a digital culture, keeping digital information at the core. Processes are transformed to offer efficiency, productivity and explicitly profits. Examples could include the following:

• Uploading a PDF case document from a computer hard drive to cloud storage and sharing it with multiple fellow consultants for case analysis.
• Transfer of a digitally scanned impression file to the laboratory technician and vice a versa. For example, getting digital workflow such as mock-up design approval for a prosthetic case.
• Uploading digital radiographic information and rendered services from DVD or Blu-Ray discs to online platforms.For example, making patient information accessible to the patients for downloading or referring in the future along with payment history

Digital Transformation – Dentistry:

It refers to the fundamental transformation of dental office activities, processes, products, and models to leverage the opportunities offered by digital technologies. The principal goal includes efficiency improvement, risk management and discovery of new monetisation opportunities.

Digital transformation in dentistry involves judicious use of variouscomputer aided technologies inDentistry such as:

• Digital Records (Patient, clinical and laboratory workflow)
• Digital diagnostics such as Radiography and Imaging (RVG, CBCT etc.)
• Digital Impression Technique
• Digital Dental photography & Intraoral cameras
• CAD/CAM restorations
• Occlusal analysis device
• Computer guided implant dentistry
• Dental Robotics

Digital Dentistry is constructively transforming the traditional dental practice, enabling the clinicians deliver accurate information to the patients and laboratory. It proves to be a critical milestone in the traditional dental practice along with a quantum leap towards the future. Slow adoption of digital technologies is recorded in the dental practice while the future hinges on the benefits derived from Digital Dentistry. There are significant advancements registered in intraoral imaging, CAD/CAM & digital impressions. These have assisted dentists in conveying additional information to the patients simultaneously improving their communication and collaboration with the dental laboratories.

Dental practice has demonstrated improvements in productivity and efficiency post deployment of computer aided technologies. Increased restoration options are available delivering longer lifetimes, and better aesthetics. Newer ways for effective and proficient inter-professional and clinician – patient interactions are evolving. Data collated can be further efficiently mined for epidemiological and forensic applications.

Limitations of Digital Dentistry

Cost has proven to be one of the substantial limitationsin Digital Dentistry implementation. Capital investments is noted to be one of the impediments, especially for early adoption. It is critical to validate the benefits derived from the implementation to establish the returns on investments. Second important factor and one of the common pitfalls in adoption is the lack of desire from the clinician. Training and maintaining the set-up adds up further, leading either to a non or slow adoption of the new technologies. Cases have been logged where, by virtue of not following the instructions stated in the operating manuals, clinicians have struggled to operate often resulting in abandonment. The adoption drive requires momentous support of on job training and hands-on experience of the digital devices.

` "It can safely be stated that the future of dentistry is “DIGITAL DENTISTRY”

-Dr. Sonal Yerpude