A Partially Analog Approach by Dr. Emil M. Verban Jr.
In my 46 years of practicing dentistry, no branch of dentistry has undergone such a significant change as implant dentistry.
In the late 1970s, teeth were extracted and the bone was allowed to heal for six months before implants were placed, then buried and allowed to heal for another six months before uncovering and loading. Today, with changes in digital technology, implant surfaces, drilling protocols and thread design, teeth can be extracted and implants can be placed and even loaded the same day.
Some studies have shown that digital treatment can be as successful as analog and reduce both time and cost of treatment. For single units or small bridges, I think the result will be the same, but I have reservations about the precision of digital methods for large prostheses and thus prefer an analog approach for them. The questions for me, after 30 years of implant experience, are if the newer technology is a necessity for excellent outcomes and if the cost of implementation is justified. Digital dentistry can be alluring, but we should keep in mind that the outcome is what matters most...
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In the late 1970s, teeth were extracted and the bone was allowed to heal for six months before implants were placed, then buried and allowed to heal for another six months before uncovering and loading. Today, with changes in digital technology, implant surfaces, drilling protocols and thread design, teeth can be extracted and implants can be placed and even loaded the same day.
Some studies have shown that digital treatment can be as successful as analog and reduce both time and cost of treatment. For single units or small bridges, I think the result will be the same, but I have reservations about the precision of digital methods for large prostheses and thus prefer an analog approach for them. The questions for me, after 30 years of implant experience, are if the newer technology is a necessity for excellent outcomes and if the cost of implementation is justified. Digital dentistry can be alluring, but we should keep in mind that the outcome is what matters most...
Click Here To Read More