Same Old Story

Most of us over the years have probably felt like we buy products that are said to be the be-all and end-all, and yet we seem to be the test dummies to make the products achieve the desired results.

After recently sitting through a digital technology class, I realized that the old is what is new again. Gypsum materials, metals ceramics, etc. took decades to improve and become the standard for great dentistry. Can we fight through to improve on newer processes and not only evolve to stay current but be the best at it? 

As a technician and educator, I support the new processes and sometimes fight through the learning curves of evolution again. Is it easier to pour an analog impression with dental stone that reproduces the tooth's marginal finish line, bodily position, and surface topography than it is to scan a quadrant, design the restoration and digital cast? Next, the milling/printing process is started and then after hours of that, we begin to refit, clean and prepare the esthetics for a representable restoration. And let's not forget the cleanup, machine maintenance, expenses for parts, and having to troubleshoot machine issues that arise. 

These technologies are improving processes by leaps and bounds, and the evolution of every new process is coming at lightning speeds. Patience, diligence, and willingness to push through the challenges presented with growth must be the driving factor, and our resolve and perseverance will help propel our profession forward. 

I know many of us embrace technology, yet there are skeptics when it comes to how much more must go into achieving sometimes the same, sometimes lesser, and sometimes better results. At the end of the day, our job is to revolve, grow, and push the processes forward.  Digital will be all we want it to be, and we will help the growth with our historical knowledge, need for results, and desire to improve.

Peter Pizzi, MDT, CDT
Editor-in-Chief
peter.pizzi@conexiant.com