[Column] How Much Do You Know About Digital Device-Based Implant Procedures?

Digital Technology Revolutionizes Dental Implants
From Diagnosis to Prosthetics, 3D Devices Enhance Precision and Comfort

Hyunwoo Park, Director of Saengsaeng Dental Clinic.

"Dad, can you buy me a 3D printer?" My 7-year-old youngest son begs. After watching a YouTube video where someone makes their own toys with a 3D printer, he wants to try it himself. In this way, digital technology is entering many areas of our lives and becoming increasingly familiar to us. The field of dental treatment is no exception. In particular, when it comes to implant procedures, the proportion of digital devices involved is steadily increasing, from diagnosis all the way to the completion of prosthetics.

Only 20 years ago, 3D CT imaging equipment was an extremely expensive device that could only be found in university hospitals or large dental clinics.

For this reason, most doctors found it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis until they actually incised the gums and checked the condition of the bone with their own eyes.

However, today, many dental clinics have 3D CT equipment, allowing them to accurately and easily assess and diagnose the patient's bone condition, bone density, and the presence of disease.

Furthermore, with the development of navigation implant technology based on 3D CT images, it is now possible to pre-analyze the size and type of implant required for the patient, the direction of placement, and whether bone grafting is needed.

If necessary, a stent can be fabricated to make the implant surgery simpler and more precise. Of course, if the patient's remaining bone is very limited or of poor quality, a more complex surgery is required. The most important factor in determining the stability and success of the surgery is still the surgeon's extensive experience and skill.

The fabrication of implant prosthetics is also handled by digital devices. For patients who are missing multiple teeth or have no teeth at all, temporary teeth or dentures that can be used immediately after surgery can be pre-made with a 3D printer.

In addition, since implant prosthetics are created using the patient's oral data acquired with a 3D scanner, it is possible to achieve highly accurate prosthetics in a very comfortable setting.

Based on my personal experience visiting various dental clinics overseas, I can confidently say that Korea's implant technology is truly among the best in the world. What is even more remarkable is that, despite this high level of technology, the cost of implant treatment in Korea is actually among the lowest.

As citizens of a country with such outstanding technology, I hope you will not delay treatment and will maintain your oral health at a good dental clinic where ongoing care is possible.