Photogrammetry – IOS on Steroids?
In the dynamic landscape of dentistry, the journey to full mouth restorations has traditionally been characterized by a series of appointments, from surgery to customization and delivery. Yet, imagine a future where achieving comprehensive restorations for your patients is not only efficient but also remarkably precise. Enter photogrammetry – a groundbreaking advancement in dental technology that has disrupted conventional methods and redefined the restorative process without compromising accuracy.
What is Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is not IOS (intra oral scanning) on steroids. At its core, photogrammetry leverages sophisticated position recording techniques, commonly employed in diverse industries such as architecture, landscaping, and archaeology. Within dental applications, this entails strategically mounting scan flags onto implants within the patient’s oral cavity, facilitating the precise capture of implant positions, rotations, and angulations with unparalleled accuracy. Equipped with stereo cameras, photogrammetry delivers enhanced depth of field and dual camera recording capabilities, ensuring meticulous results throughout the process.
The Workflow
Prior to the acquiring photogrammetry scan, it’s imperative to conduct an intraoral scan (IOS) pre-surgery. Following the implant surgery, the photogrammetry scan is executed by scanning the designated scan flags, followed by another IOS scan to register the soft tissue surface. Currently, the market offers several competitors in this field, including PIC®, IMetric®, and MicronMapper®, each offering distinct advantages and workflows. However, a common thread among these systems is the prerequisite IOS scans pre- and post-surgery.
The provisional restoration, typically delivered as a “delayed loading” solution on the subsequent day. Following the integration phase, a definitive restoration is fabricated using the initial scan from the day of surgery. Leveraging the accuracy of photogrammetry, the need for a verification jig is eliminated, expediting the fabrication of the final restoration.
To delve deeper into the transformative capabilities of photogrammetry in dentistry, we invite you to explore our comprehensive educational series on the subject, available on our YouTube channel.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
The Clinical Advantages of 3D Printed Night Guards
Night guards are an essential tool for patients suffering from bruxism, which encompasses teeth grinding and clenching. These conditions can lead to significant discomfort, pain, and potential damage to the dentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) over time.
Traditionally, night guards have been fabricated from hard acrylic materials through an analog process. However, these hard acrylic night guards are susceptible to fracture due to the substantial occlusal forces they must withstand over prolonged periods.
Advancements in digital technology have introduced patient-specific 3D printed night guards, which offer enhanced comfort and efficacy in mitigating the effects of bruxism. These functional 3D printed night guards are produced using precise digital scans of the patient’s dentition, enabling the creation of a custom-fit device that conforms perfectly to the individual’s oral anatomy. This approach ensures superior comfort and a more accurate fit compared to conventional night guards. Additionally, the integration of digital articulators in the 3D design process optimizes the night guard’s effectiveness in preventing occlusal wear and protecting the teeth.
A significant advantage of 3D printed night guards is their durability. Traditional acrylic night guards often experience wear and degradation, necessitating frequent replacements. In contrast, 3D printed night guards are constructed from high-quality, resilient materials that offer greater resistance to damage, thereby extending the lifespan of the appliance and providing sustained protection for the patient.
Moreover, 3D printed night guards offer remarkable versatility. They can be tailored to meet the specific requirements and preferences of the patient, including variations in thickness, material composition, and design features. This customization ensures that the night guard is not only comfortable but also highly effective in preventing bruxism-related activities.
Overall, functional dental 3D printed night guards represent a significant advancement in the management of bruxism. By delivering a custom-fit appliance that addresses the unique needs of each patient, dentists can effectively safeguard their patients’ dental and TMJ health. The utilization of advanced digital technology and superior materials in the fabrication process of 3D printed night guards is transforming the management of bruxism, enhancing patient outcomes, and promoting long-term oral health.
An additional unparalleled advantage of 3D printed night guards is the ability to replicate the appliance effortlessly. In the event of loss or damage (such as being chewed by a pet or left behind during travel), a replacement can be reprinted promptly using the stored digital file. This capability also facilitates the creation of backup night guards for added convenience.
Should you have any questions regarding the digital workflow and record-taking procedures for the fabrication of 3D printed night guards, please feel free to inquire.
Next-Level Shade Taking with OptiShade
If you are reading this, you should already be familiar with basic shade taking protocols. If not, please see my earlier post titled “A Simple Shade Taking Protocol”. If you have already read that post, let’s dive in.
Understanding that all cases are different and have varying levels of complexity, we have tools and equipment to support us in getting more detailed and accurate. One of the most important tools is a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a macro lens, which should be basic equipment in every dental office and dental laboratory. To get to the next level, we can also utilize a shade acquisition technology called OptiShade.
OptiShade is a dental device and software developed by Style Italiano. It is designed to assist dentists in accurately determining tooth shades for restorative procedures such as crown and bridge work, veneers, implants, and composite fillings. OptiShade utilizes advanced technology to streamline the shade-matching process, resulting in more precise and consistent color matching outcomes. At this current time, OptiShade is only compatible with Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
Here’s an overview of why a dentist should consider using OptiShade:
- Accuracy: OptiShade employs advanced algorithms to analyze various factors such as lighting conditions, tooth structure, and surrounding tissues to provide highly accurate shade matching results. This helps dentists achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes for their patients.
- Efficiency: By automating the shade-matching process, OptiShade saves time for both dentists and patients. Dentists can quickly determine the appropriate shade without the need for manual comparisons, reducing chair time and improving workflow efficiency.
- Consistency: OptiShade helps maintain consistency in shade matching across different procedures and patients. This ensures that restorations blend seamlessly with the natural dentition, enhancing overall smile aesthetics.
- Patient Satisfaction: Accurately matched restorations contribute to improved patient satisfaction. Patients are more likely to be pleased with the appearance of their dental restorations when shades are precisely matched, leading to greater confidence and trust in the dentist’s skills.
Overall, OptiShade offers dentists a reliable tool for achieving accurate, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing shade matching results, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.
In our experience, OptiShade is very good in comparison to many other shade taking devices available on the market. Important to say, to utilize the OptiShade to its fullest capacity, the dental office and the laboratory must have the device.
Please click here to read more about OptiShade. OptiShade is distributed worldwide by Smile Line.
We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive promotional offer just for you! For a limited time only, you can purchase the OptiShade at an unbeatable price of $1,865.95, plus shipping (prices subject to change without notice). This incredible deal is made possible by Smile Line with the special discount code OPTI24.
- Regular Price: $1,985.95
- Promotional Price: $1,865.95