Technology has always been on the move (changing). I am
aware there is a plethora of competing companies that can give us the latest
devices from the smartphone, software apps to electric cars. While
all this is for the betterment of learning and society, it can be overwhelming.
This week in my class I was asked to research, choose and write on two emerging
technology that would enhance my profession. After reviewing Benzinga’s, (2013,
Feb 18) article and Industrial Weekly’s 'The 10 most significant emerging
technology’; the two that stood out for me were three dimensional printing
(3D) and Virtual Reality Base Technology. As part of the dental community,
I have already seen these two technologies to some degree already in use.
3D printing stood out! This technology is able to create a solid
structure that comes out the printer via a digital computer file. Here is
how the process works: layers of material (plastic, metal alloys and others)
deposited on top of each other create free-standing structures from the bottom
up...“blueprints from computer-aided design are sliced into cross-section for
print templates, allowing virtually created objects to be used as models for
“hard copies” (King, 2013). Many refer to this as an advantage in that we would
have the opportunity to make toys, plastic wrist band and even covering cases
for our phone and electronic devices. As good as this sounds, how many of us
want to make these things from home? What is the cost of this printer? Do you
think that the existing companies that provide these products will just allow
us to make it at home? Where does the legal and ethical ramifications come to
play? Also, what about misuse of the 3D printing device? Just a few short
months ago the headline blurt "3D printer-gun parts-found in a
raid" reported the BBC News Manchester (UK).
However, 3D printing have already
been enhancing the quality of dental care by cutting down on the amount of time
a patient needs to wait for a dental appliance such as a dental crown. In the past, it would take your dentist two
weeks from start to finish to deliver a dental crown. Today, the time for this process is reduced
thanks to the Sirona Company. Sirona is
the first company “to use computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM), and
offer their system, called CEREC” (Murray, 2012). CEREC is a machine that digitally scans the
tooth in need of repair using a small camera.
“The digitized scan is then sent to an on-site milling machine that
carves the crown from a block of porcelain” (Murray, 2012, p. 1). In the end, we have same day delivery, a happy
patient, and no wearing of a temporary tooth.
A review of various reports reveals it is not widespread. One in every ten dentist uses the CEREC as an
office machine. (See below a picture of such a machine)
Another,
technology that has been emerging in dentistry for several years are Virtual
Reality Base technology. It first began
back in 1998 with the (DentSim) system
from DenX, Ltd. at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
(UPSDM) reported by Dr. Buchanan (JDE,
2004). This is use in a variety of ways to aid
healthcare students in their pre-clinical classes. This technology uses a
virtual patient with simulated experience to help students hone their skills
before entering the real world experience. Virtual base reality also helps the
student learn in real time across distance. As the technology become more cost effective,
educational institution is more apt to use it.
(See below an example of a student
working on a virtual patient)
These technologies
are among many still emerging technology that are making the dental field
student (professional) ready, customer friendly and patients’ sensitive.
References:
Benzinga. (2013, Feb 18). The 10 most important emerging
technology. Retrieve from: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/these-are-the-10-most-important-emerging-technologies-in-2013-cm218594#ixzz2jKFv62cz
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24666591
Buchanan, J. A. (2004, December, 1). Experience with Virtual
Reality-Based Technology in Teaching Restorative Dental Procedures. 68(12)1258-1265.
Retrieve from: http://www.jdentaled.org/content/68/12/1258.full
David King, D.
(2013, Feb 14). The top ten emerging technologies of 2013. Retrieve from: http://forumblog.org/2013/02/top-10-emerging-technologies-for-2013/
Murrray, P. (2012). New
At the Dentist: 3D Printing “Dental Crowns While You Wait”. Retrieve from: http://singularityhub.com/2012/11/07/new-at-the-dentist-3d-printing-dental-crowns-while-you-wait/
CEREC Image retrieve from: Bing Search http://fillingcavities.blogspot.com/
Virtual Reality Base Technology Image. Retrieve from Bing
Search http://daviding.com/blog/index.php/archive/planmeca-visit-dental-equipment/
No comments:
Post a Comment