Digital dentistry offers many benefits to professional teams and patients alike. As an Executive Board Member of the International Digital Dental Academy (IDDA) and Principal of Digital Smile Studio on Harley Street, London, and Dentist On The Rock in Bury, Professor Adam Nulty is keen to share these advantages with colleagues. He comments: 

“There are many benefits afforded by digital dentistry, which is why it has grown so much over the years. I started in the profession around 2006 after qualifying and 10-12 years ago got into digital dentistry through the application of guided implant surgery. I was already using software for CAD/CAM and dabbling with very early filament 3D printers. I really wanted to change what I could offer with regards to mock ups and models, as well as provide surgical guides in-house. The ability to take CBCT scans was limited 10 years ago as not many practices had the equipment – the same can be said of intraoral X-ray sensors. The digital scanners that later followed have become integral to DSD, CAD/CAM dentistry and other parts of digital dentistry. 

“For my growth in the field I owe no small thanks to my wife who is a CT and MRI 

specialist radiographer. Her experience definitely increased my desire to go digital and helped me to introduce digital radiography, which has seen the biggest growth in digital dentistry in that time. It is also probably the most overlooked area of digital dentistry – in reality, digital radiography is the foundation of digital dentistry for everyone now. Used in combination with intraoral sensors, intraoral scanners, OPG machines and CBCT units, this has transformed how we diagnose and treat patients.”

Reflecting on how attitudes towards digital solutions in dentistry have changed in recent years, Adam says:

“I believe growth in digital will continue and we have already seen evidence of this. With practices returning to normality after Covid, the past year has moved fast because people are trying to catch up and, more importantly, to meet the growing demand for private dentistry. All of this has led to an increase in appetite for and integration of digital dentistry. There has been a large change in the amount of software and hardware companies providing newer technologies that involve artificial intelligence (AI). I believe we’re going to see a significant change in what is involved with dental diagnostics and treatment in terms of what software and hardware features AI functionality. It has huge potential to facilitate early disease detection and management, using pattern recognition to identify trends far in advance of the human ability. 

“Even with something as simple as X-rays, there’s already software that involves AI to improve the clinician’s diagnostic capabilities. This is one of the areas which we’ll talk about in the Digital Dentistry Theatre at Dentistry Show London.”

The IDDA will play an integral part in presenting the programme for the Digital Dentistry Theatre, which will offer delegates insight into and practical advice on the latest technologies in the profession. Discussing the organisation’s involvement at Dentistry Show London 2022, Adam continues:

“The IDDA has grown to become a leader in digital dentistry education worldwide. 

We have mentors, lecturers and partners around the globe and I’m very proud to head up such an organisation with my partners Chris, Patrik and Quintus. The calibre of education provided is known to be of very high quality and we are pleased to partner with ExoCAD, DSD, Modjaw and other manufacturers to further enhance our educational offerings. 

“Exhibitions in the UK are brilliant for connecting with more suppliers of high calibre technologies. Dentistry Show London last year was excellent with a very busy and lively theatre – we had some fantastic speakers that we are really looking forward to presenting again in the Digital Dentistry Theatre for 2022. We will have our stand right next door so we can answer questions and help anybody on their digital journey.

“Within the programme, we will discuss the very latest technologies in the profession. Join us to see what the future of dentistry will look like, as well as the type of dentistry we can achieve right now. We’ll cover everything from smile design to guided surgery and AI integration, demonstrating the latest capabilities of the software and hardware available to take your patient care to the next level. We will also explore how dentistry can be more fun and interactive, so you’ll enjoy providing a better standard of patient care.”

At Dentistry Show London 2022, don’t miss the Digital Dentistry Theatre or the IDDA stand next door where you’ll find vouchers to access free content on the IDDA website , as well as details of upcoming programmes in orthodontics, implantology and restorative dentistry. From the stand, you can also find out more about scanclub, which has been designed to help those getting started with digital dentistry, in addition to various mentoring and educational opportunities.

 

Register for free today!