Creating digital mock-ups can significantly enhance your design process, especially in dental practices. In this blog post, we will explore the three simple steps to achieve your digital mock-up using the Medit Design App, as presented by Dr. Marwan. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, these steps will help you create precise and predictable digital mock-ups with ease.
Transition to Digital Dentistry
Dr. Marwan began exploring digital dentistry around four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially an analog believer, he transitioned to digital tools, starting with Meshmixer and later moving to the Medit i600 intraoral scanner and Medit Link. These tools have significantly enhanced his practice by offering better precision and ease of use.
The Digital Mock-up Process
Dr. Marwan follows a straightforward three-step process to create a digital mock-up. Here’s a detailed look:
Step 1: Initial Scan & Import Teeth Library
Start with an Initial Scan: Begin by scanning the dental arch to capture the current state.
Import a 3D Teeth Library: Utilize Medit Design App to import a pre-designed 3D teeth library. This library includes ten teeth, ready-made for your cosmetic cases, which you can drag and drop into the app.
Step 2: Scale and Positioning
Transformation Mode: Use the Transformation Mode to scale and position the imported teeth in the ideal location within the arch. Utilize tools like Translate and Rotate to achieve precise 3D positioning. Activate grid settings to visualize and manipulate the X, Y, and Z axes for accurate adjustments.
Step 3: Editing Mode
Remove Excess Wax-Up: Switch to Edit Mode to refine the wax-up. Use the Polyline Selection tool to remove unnecessary portions from the occlusal and palatal surfaces, focusing on the facial surfaces needed for the mock-up.
Sculpting Tools: Employ sculpting tools like the Remove brush and Smooth brush to fine-tune the veneers. Adjust the wax-up to ensure a perfect fit along the gum line, maintaining the necessary convexity and symmetry.
Advantages of Digital Dentistry
Digital tools offer repeatability, scalability, precision, and predictability, thus enhancing the efficiency and quality of dental restorations. Dr. Marwan emphasizes the importance of understanding the theory behind cosmetic dentistry to effectively use digital tools. While mastering these tools involves a learning curve, their benefits make the effort worthwhile.
Q&A Session
Q1: Can we customize the tooth library and save it for future use?
Customizing and saving the tooth library for future use is possible and highly beneficial. Dr. Marwan explained that he has designed his own set of 10 teeth, which he frequently uses for his cosmetic cases. These designs can be saved in the Medit Link or on a local desktop, making it easy to drag and drop them into future projects.
Q2: How do you ensure the perfect margin? Are there any clinical tips to check the real margin of the crown?
Ensuring the perfect margin relies heavily on proper gingival retraction. Dr. Marwan recommends packing two retraction cords for optimal results. The first, a smaller cord (such as triple zero), provides vertical displacement, while the second, a larger cord, offers horizontal displacement. Removing the top cord before scanning ensures a clear margin and captures the emergence profile beyond the margin. Additionally, exporting scans in PLY format (which includes color information) helps technicians distinguish between tooth and gum tissues more effectively.
Q3: Do you perform modeless crown restorations? What do you think is the key to achieving successful modeless restorations?
Dr. Marwan has not fully transitioned to modeless restorations, particularly for aesthetic zones. He prefers a hybrid workflow, combining digital planning and designing with analog techniques for the final ceramic work. He believes that human hand-finishing and layering are crucial for aesthetic outcomes. However, he acknowledges the potential of modeless workflows, especially for single-tooth restorations, and looks forward to future advancements like virtual reality to enhance digital precision.
Digital dentistry offers transformative tools for dental professionals. With Medit Design App, creating digital mock-ups becomes a streamlined process. Dr. Marwan’s expertise and insights demonstrate how embracing digital tools can enhance precision and efficiency in dental practices.
For more tutorials and expert tips, visit Medit Academy on YouTube.