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DB: What is the coolest technology that is about to hit dentistry?

Paul Feuerstein: Simple. Cone beam tomography. We now have a method to essentially take CT/MRI type scans on teeth, bone and jaws. In-office units are available (currently at a high cost). There is no reason to wonder how close a third molar might be to the mandibular canal. You will know exactly where to place an implant. How about looking at slices through a tooth to see where the canals are. Periodontal bone defect architecture? Some dentists are pooling resources and sharing a machine. Some are purchasing outright and allowing others to send their patients in for a scan of about $300-500. Some of the new digital pan units will have add-ons to upgrade to this, notably Sirona and Planmeca.

The offshoot of this is that dentists have to learn how to read and interpret these. In lieu of this, services are being developed to read them for you (Dale Miles). Computer programs are in place to read, interpret and even build virtual models. The images are mind boggling. I have a lot of information coming out soon on this. My recent column in Dental Economics is a preview.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin DE July 2005