Spring into Digital

Returning from the annual American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) meeting in Chicago, I realized that spring was in full bloom, and it wasn't just the educational opportunities that had me feeling so invigorated. Spring is a time for renewal and growth, not just for nature, but for your practice as well. It can be a time to assess where you stand and look for opportunities to improve and offer better dentistry. One way to accomplish this is through the integration of digital technologies. This month's cover story examines the current evolution of digital dentistry and discusses how dentists can adopt all or part of a digital workflow to accommodate the individual goals of their practices. Some dentists may only want to scan, others may be interested in milling or 3D printing their own restorations, but all can benefit in some way from "going digital." Digital dentistry is always changing, and you must understand all of the pros and cons in order to determine what is right for your practice. The article does an excellent job of explaining what is available and how to guide your decision-making.

This month's continuing education article by Zachary S. Sisler, DDS, explores the use of preparation guides to avoid over- or underpreparing the teeth. Using these guides helps the laboratory create restorations that exhibit ideal esthetics and uncompromised strength.

If you are looking for an alternative to a screw-retained, fixed implant restoration, you will enjoy the Inside Prosthodontics article by Robert Del Castillo, DMD. It covers a locator-style attachment system that provides great retention for a fixed, full-arch restoration, while allowing you the flexibility to remove it for maintenance.

In this month's Strategy piece, Marie T. Fluent, DDS, reviews the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation's (AAMI) regulations for the cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments. The article provides excellent infection control recommendations that I will definitely be incorporating into my own practice.

And finally, Betsy M. Bakeman, DDS, offers her perspective on treatment planning and how she employs diagnostically driven decision-making to increase value and patient satisfaction. Oftentimes, this critical thinking is overlooked because dentists are eager to get right to the treatment. It is an interesting commentary. Please enjoy all of the articles in the May issue and never hesitate to contact me with any topics that you'd like to see us publish. This magazine is for your benefit, and we always strive to offer the most relevant and up-to-date information.

Robert C. Margeas, DDS
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Dentistry
Private Practice
Des Moines, Iowa

Adjunct Professor
Department of Operative Dentistry
University of IowaIowa City, Iowa
rmargeas_eic@aegiscomm.com