Healthy Teeth with Three-Dimensional Oral Scanning Technology
Technological advancements, as in every field, are providing significant opportunities in dental treatment as well. Dr. Arzu Tekkeli, Clinical Coordinator of the Oral and Dental Health Department at Anadolu Health Center, shared that three-dimensional scanning of the oral cavity allows for images to be transferred to a computer and that new teeth can be produced and placed on the same day with almost zero error. "Three-dimensional oral scanning quickly resolves issues like missing teeth, tooth correction, broken teeth, fillings, or crowns in a single day through the digital integration of three different devices. Thus, patients do not have to visit the clinic for long periods. Not only for missing teeth but also for many other dental problems, quick and long-lasting results can be achieved with the same method," Dr. Arzu Tekkeli explained. Dr. Tekkeli provided important information on the subject.
Previously, treatments that took days, such as reproducing a missing tooth, placing a crown, or fixing a broken tooth, now have a digital-age alternative. With the three-dimensional oral scanning device CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing), your tooth is produced with almost zero error and long-lasting materials within the same day and placed in the oral cavity.
How does the method work?
In computer-aided dental design, a small device with a camera first scans the oral cavity. Working with the system in three-dimensional printing technology, it performs an exact scan of the entire mouth and teeth and transfers the obtained images to the computer simultaneously. With the patient's input, the images are evaluated, and the design of the new tooth is created. The design is then sent to a 'milling' device. At this stage, the design is transformed into a three-dimensional tooth block produced from materials loaded into the device. It is carved out like a sculptor’s creation and shaped into its final form. After polishing and baking to remove imperfections, the tooth is ready to be placed in the mouth. Everything is completed on the same day, and patients do not need to return the next day. The entire treatment is finished within a single session, in about one hour.
Which dental issues are treated?
Thanks to the integrated technology offered by CAD-CAM, many dental issues can be treated quickly and with less hassle for the patient. Transparent aligners and night guards used for bruxism can also be produced with the same system. Additionally, crowns and bridges placed on teeth, porcelain fillings, orthodontic treatments (without braces and brackets), and zirconium crowns placed on implants are applied quickly. This method is not used for primary teeth treatments in children, except for orthodontic treatments. It is more commonly applied to permanent teeth issues and is used for children after the age of 12.