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What is digital dentistry?
Digital dentistry may be defined in a broad scope 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.
The following list represents the majority of the areas of digital dentistry. All are assumed to incorporate some type of digital components; not every conceivable area is listed.
- CAD/CAM and intraoral imaging — both laboratory- and clinician-controlled
- Caries diagnosis
- Computer-aided implant dentistry — including design and fabrication of surgical guides
- Digital radiography — intraoral and extraoral, including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
- Electric and surgical/implant handpieces
- Lasers
- Occlusion and TMJ analysis and diagnosis
- Photography — extraoral and intraoral
- Practice and patient record management — including digital patient education
- Shade matching
There are many other areas of digital dentistry available, and many more are being researched. It is an exciting time to be in the dental profession as more technologies are being introduced that make dentistry easier, faster, better, and — most important — enjoyable.