Teamwork, technology, temperament - laboratory & practice at the International Dental Show (IDS) 2019

Dentists and dental technicians have experienced over the past twenty years how the digitalisation has continually brought new opportunities that were previously undreamt of. There is no end in sight of this success story. At the same time, 3D printing is preparing to open up further new worlds. Regardless of all of the individual innovations, the key to success is and will continue to be the interaction between the "main players" in the team. In this connection, the International Dental Show (IDS) from 12 to 16 March 2019 in Cologne offers comprehensive concepts, valuable tips and stimulating discussions.

Dentistry has always been exciting, because medical, technological and aesthetic aspects are united in this discipline more than in any other within the health industry. The day-to-day work has become more diversified over the past decades, both in the practice as well as in the dental technician's laboratory - at times it is even more challenging because the demands come from such different sides. A particularly effective measure is the intensification of the interaction among the team comprising of dentists and dental technicians.

The prerequisites here are better than ever, because a striking effect of the digitalisation is the fact that it allows spatial and time limits to be overcome. X-rays, model scans, a wide range of different working and planning documents are available in the practice and in the laboratory within seconds for evaluation and discussion purposes. At the same time, the cooperation between the partners is becoming closer using overlapping digital workflows in more and more part sections.

How in detail implantology, orthodontic or other treatment can be planned and executed is of course a question of the dental therapy planning and dental implementation. For instance the team discusses questions such as: "In which areas shall the work be carried out digitally? In which areas are analogue techniques more suitable? Where would a combination of the two be favourable? For example: Digitally moulded, designed on the monitor, milled in CAM-suitable wax, pressed in ceramic using traditional methods, conventionally integrated using cement?"

Because the complexity of the materials means that although the technical progress is advancing rapidly, its implementation requires many detailed decisions being taken in the concrete case of the patient. In addition to the method implemented, this also applies for the selection of the material: "Metal or ceramic? Precious metal or non-precious metal? Structural ceramic or glass ceramic? Or plastic?" It goes without saying that this is decided among others according to criteria such as the stability and aesthetics as well as for instance according to the preferred method of fixation.

The sheer number of options and thus the possible combinations is increasing further, both in the materials section as well as in the production area. Especially in the case of digitally-controlled production, 3D printing expands the choices and opens up new options for the team play between the dentists and dental technicians. What this looks like in detail depends on the patient clientele, the existing equipment and that this is envisaged for the future and of course the temperament and the personal approach of the partners concerned.

"The International Dental Show (ID) from 12 to 16 March 2019, will comprehensively present the current development status of materials and processing methods as well as the new opportunities of how the dentist and dental technician can optimally pass the ball to each other," said Dr. Markus Heibach, Executive Director of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI). "Here digital systems, planning tools, different production options and their application within the team can be experienced close-up and in a diversity that cannot be found anywhere else. My tip to all visitors: Talk to your dental technician or dentist in advance and visit the International Dental Show as a team!"

IDS takes place in Cologne every two years and is organised by the GFDI Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI). It is staged by the Koelnmesse GmbH, Cologne.