“ The bone reconstruction segment works with standard implants and what I call the shoe store approach, where a large number of implants are sent to the operating room and the doctor intraoperatively finds the implant of best fit. Some doctors plan these surgeries on tracing paper and an X-ray to guesstimate which implant to use, but there’ s still a lot of trial and error and a lot of waste due to inventory,” explained Toro.
“ We digitize the whole experience. The surgeon can perform the surgery as many times as needed in a digital twin of the patient and then get the perfect implant and instruments for the procedure.” Not only does this innovative technology allow for a better outcome, it’ s streamlining the process for doctors.“ This is indeed personalized healthcare, some call it precision medicine. Using a digital surgery workflow reduces surgical times, which translates into a cost reduction, increase [ d ] surgeon accuracy and reduce [ d ] complications,” said Toro.
Excited by the innovative changes in his field over the past few decades, Dr. David Lloyd, stays abreast of the most cutting edge technology options for his patients at Indigo Dental in
Dr. David Lloyd
Daytona Beach.
Knowing that a smile is worth a thousand words, an appreciation for the relationship between artistry, materials science and healthcare fuels his passion to improve the quality of life for each patient.
“ Technology has revolutionized our profession. Advances in adhesion and stronger, more life-like materials have allowed us to restore health and function like never before,” said Dr. Lloyd.
Advances in the dental industry have impacted every aspect of his practice, from how he communicates with his patients, colleagues and dental labs, to planning and performing procedures.“ The technology we use in our office serves to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care. As a business strategy, we look for ways to improve our patients’ experience and technology is a part of that,” he said, citing an easily relatable example.
“ We use a computer assisted design and manufacturing system called CEREC. Instead of making traditional impressions with that goopy stuff in a tray that always seems to run down your throat, we make a digital scan of your teeth with a small camera. The data is used to create a 3D model of your teeth as well as a
AUGUST 2021 | 11 |