ADAPTING IN DENTISTRY. BY ALISTAIR MAYOH I MARKETING DIRECTOR , KEMDENT Leave a comment

In the dental laboratory, as a response to the shifting expectations and attitudes of clients and their patients, changes have been made to the processes and the materials used by dental technicians. How will these trends continue to change as dentistry moves into the future?

AESTHETICS

As you well know, restorative dentistry is not a ‘new’ concept. Since very early on in history, there have been records of various materials being used to replace missing teeth. But it was in 1965 that the first ‘modern’ dental implant was placed in a human patient. Since then, attitudes have shifted and restorative dentistry now offers solutions that are no longer ‘one-size-fits-all’, but rather cater to a versatile range of patient and client needs. As a result, dental technicians have adapted their laboratory materials, systems and solutions in order to cater to these changing demands.
For instance, the rise of social media has prompted many patients to seek restorative work that is both functional and aesthetic. For instance, ceramic zirconia has grown in popularity, due to its biocompatibility and favourable mechanical and aesthetic elements. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) was once a very common material, but unfavourable properties, such as its translucency, have been noted.ii With all the new advancements being made to products, you can better meet and satisfy the demands of your clients. In turn, their patients can appreciate more choice, and enjoy restorations that improve their confidence and their health.

SPEED

In the modern day, immediacy is everything. Your client’s patients, more often than not, expect things to be delivered quickly, so how has the dental laboratory adapted to these new expectations?
Very few areas of the profession have avoided the impact of digital dentistry. Many of your clients may employ certain technologies, software and digitalised instruments to simplify their workflows and improve the patient experience. There is much literature on the topic of digital technology in the dental laboratory; studies have shown that overall laboratory time can be reduced when utilising a digital workflow over a conventional one. As a result, dental technicians may be able to deliver faster results to their clients. However, many technicians still favour conventional methods, with one study demonstrating that they can deliver more conservative and aesthetically-pleasing results, compared with a digital smile design programme.
Research has suggested that comparing conventional and digital methods should be done cautiously; this is because many of the materials and methodologies vary among studies and there are several variables that affect outcomes. While digital advancements have improved workflows for many dental technicians, there is certainly no need to change your preferred way of working if it suits you, your client and ultimately their patients.

WHY GO GREEN?

Perhaps one of the most foregrounded themes to have emerged in recent years is that of dentistry’s environmental impact. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the field, dentistry has historically used energy, water and resources intensively. Patient perspective on sustainability and healthcare is certainly shifting; results from one survey found that 89% of respondents think it’s important for healthcare providers to become more sustainable, with a further 36% claiming that sustainability should be adopted by healthcare providers, even if it costs more to do so. With this shifting patient perspective, your clients may be interested in re-evaluating their impact on the planet and the ways they can reduce it. They may consider the dental laboratories they work with, and how they reduce their footprint too.
You don’t have to be an environmentalist to make positive changes in your dental laboratory; all professionals in the field can, in various ways, aid in the reduction of dentistry’s harm on the environment. Indeed, you can start by making small changes; the materials you use, for instance, may be a good place to start, as well as your supplier. Do they make conscious efforts to be greener? You may wish to look around and see if there are any other suppliers who make a more mindful effort with their products and services. Investing in these suppliers is a great way to start making an impact in your dental laboratory.

CONSCIOUS CHOICES

Kemdent, a company committed to exceptional dental materials since 1922, has produced one of the world’s first eco-friendly ranges of modelling wax, including the Anutex Eco. This reliable material has been made using 30% less technology by using new manufacturing techniques, but has not sacrificed quality in the process. The Anutex Eco does not irritate oral tissues, leaves no unpleasant odour or flavour and softens without crumbling. It also trims with ease and has a glossy, smooth surface after flaming. For a more eco-conscious addition to your dental laboratory, consider the Anutex Eco from Kemdent.
Dental technicians have successfully kept up with the ever-changing trends within dentistry. From providing restorations to suit a multitude of needs, to sourcing products that are more environmentally-mindful, dental technicians continue to aid dentistry as it shifts and evolves.

For more information about Kemdent Anutex Eco modelling wax, please visit https://www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256.