Guido Testa
Master Dental Technician
Italy
In this day and age, what is important to a dental technician, who produces dental restorations using CAD/CAM technology? He knows that his way of working is subject to ongoing technical changes. In order to keep up-to-date, he has to make the right decisions at the right time.
Like many other dental technicians, the training in my apprenticeship involved conventional methods, such as casting metal crowns using the lost wax technique. This is technique has proven itself many hundreds of years ago in the production of the Riace Bronzes. The rapid changes in recent years to digitally manufactured restorations using CAM technologies mean the objects require careful quality control to the highest degree possible. For this, we use a microscope or magnifying glasses to enlarge the object. When I produce dental restorations using conventional methods, I do not work with the naked eye, I also use optical aids. Now there is an innovation for this area too: the production of dental restorations with enlarged object viewing on a screen in 2D or 3D mode.
Four years ago, when I first tested a 2 and 3D microscope at Renfert, I immediately thought of the many procedures I could complete in an entirely new way and the ergonomic posture I would benefit from in my daily work routine. I knew straight away, that this piece of equipment would be an integral part of my laboratory as soon as it became available.
And that’s exactly what happened: I witnessed the great changes and the modernization of my trade first hand and therefore find it quite natural to view the results of my work using the latest technology.
I will be the first to admit that when I initially used the EASY view 3D von Renfert, it took me a short while to get used to the new way of working. My eyes were naturally accustomed to looking at the object in my hands and not on the monitor, where everything plays in real time. However, I was willing to take this challenge on and soon realized that with regular use of the EASY view 3D, I quickly became acclimatized with this new way of working. Our brain is very quick to adapt and therefore the transition was not difficult for me.
This investment was worth it, because it soon became apparent, that the 3D video microscope is useful in many different production processes in the laboratory: from the ceramic build-up and finishing, preparation of plaster dies or abutments, to working with laser sintered metals. In addition, the EASY view 3D has allowed me to see the qualities and flaws of the impressions or models and to share pictures or videos of the object with my clients from other regions to be able to discuss them in real time (my customers are widespread from the North to Southern Italy).
And those are not the only advantages of the video microscope EASY view 3D. The focal depth can be adjusted to achieve an ideal view into the inside of the crown, which allows the crown to be finished perfectly. The illumination follows the field of view and does not cause shadows, so the visibility always remains perfectly clear. The three-dimensional approach, which enables optimal hand-eye coordination, helps with modelling. I am able to use the colored waxes, designed by my friend, August Bruguera, with great accuracy and achieve the desired effects. We often show the wax-up on the screen to the patient, who is then surprised to see an enlarged example of a piece of work specially designed using this innovative technique.
In my opinion, the 3D video enlargement provides the greatest advantages when creating the ceramic build-up: The EASY view 3D makes it possible to re-adjust and build the ceramic material by placing, for example, mamelons in various colors and in different positions. It is now possible to achieve amazing effects because the smallest details are visible. The three-dimensionality and the focal depth also help when modelling the occlusal surfaces to achieve life-like, anatomical designs.
The dental laboratory may raise the objection, that the acquisition cost is high or that they are not convinced that a good dental technician needs a video microscope to significantly improve the quality of his work. These arguments are understandable, but the reasons that moved me to buy the device are much more important. 5 technicians work in my laboratory:
- I believe in CAD/CAM. The benefits of this digital technology have enhanced my competitiveness over the last nine years, therefore I can see the high added value of EASY view 3D in every processing sequence.
- I strive to achieve an open and clear communication with my partners, the high resolution images enable me to organize my communication more effectively.
- When I think about my health, I prefer to work ergonomically.
- If my partners think that my work is professional and I am open to innovation, the use of the device will underline this image.
- I have seen many changes throughout my professional life and this time I’d like to embrace these innovations as a pioneer.
On a final note, I would like to quote Charles Robert Darwin: “It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” Although this profession has been a part of my life for many years, my thoughts and my heart are open to the changes of the future. I am willing to invest in my profession, in order to be consistent with my desire to live and work well, for myself and for the benefit of the patients entrusted to me by my clients.
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