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Ask the Expert: Dr. Dan Truono Q&A Topic: New Technology and Equipment for Dental Procedures

Wondering how best to invest in a winning smile? When in doubt—do what your dentist would do (for themselves).

Dr. Dan Truono, the owner of Dental Associates P.A., never recommends a treatment he wouldn’t undergo. As dentistry evolves, this approach is both practical and comforting.

We asked the self-styled “Dr. Dan” for his take on the ever-changing world of dental technology.

What’s the latest and greatest tech and equipment in the dental world?

The next time you head to the dentist, look around and see what’s new — there’s much for patients to get excited about. At Dental Associates P.A., we’ve recently invested in:

  • Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This special x-ray machine gets data using short, concentrated bursts of radiation (instead of continuous exposure). Our device can generate a detailed 3D image of a patient’s dental structure in one scan. Then, we can overlay photographs to get the best possible sense of a patient’s dental health.
  • Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC). CEREC, aided by computer-aided design and manufacturing, allows us to restore dental implants, crowns, and other appliances on-site. CEREC also gives us minute control over the entire design and fabrication process. This helps us access new levels of precision in our dental appliances.

We’ve also significantly upgraded our office’s smile design studio. At my desk, I can spin 3D models of dental structures around, design custom dental appliances, overlay them, and tweak them to ensure they’re a good fit. We’ve also invested in a 3D printer for our office.

What Can 3D Printing Do in the World of Dentistry?

A better question might be — what can’t it do? We can use our 3D printer to:

  • Repair damaged teeth
  • Make night guards
  • Print models of specific teeth for analysis
  • Make temporary crowns and bridges
  • Design precise implants
  • Create custom drill guides for procedures

And, perhaps my favorite 3D printing feature: We can scan a patient’s teeth, model them up on our computer, perform diagnostic wax-ups (or mock-ups of planned restorations), and even print out temporary appliances to show patients what their teeth can look and feel like after treatment.

What Do You Think the Real Benefits of These New Pieces of Tech Are?

Two words: Efficiency and visibility.

Our new machines talk to each other and our lab wirelessly — no need for USB sticks. I can’t overstate the time (and energy and money) we save with that benefit alone. But the coolest benefit has to be the instant visibility new dental technology offers. Our new equipment allows us to analyze our patient’s dental structures with previously unheard-of precision. We can also preview future smiles for our patients!

What’s Next in the World of Dental Technology?

I’m excited that we can print custom crowns and other dental appliances on-site! Fifteen years ago, that would have been impossible.

In the future, I’m interested to see how far we can push 3D printing in dentistry. Tomorrow could bring AI advances, accessible teledentistry services, and even regenerative procedures. For now, I’ll just say: Stay tuned!

How Can We Learn More About These New Procedures?

Reach out to our team. My entire staff is trained on the tech offered at our office. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to answer any questions. If you’re investing in good dental health, start with us — we’re your go-to for a great smile!

For information and to schedule a consultation, visit dentalassociatespa.com.

 

Dental Associates
2300 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 6 C-D
Wilmington, 19806
571-0878; dentalassociatespa.com 

*What’s this? This content is made possible by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the attitude, views, or opinions of the Delaware Today editorial staff.

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