Accuracy is the most important thing in digital guides.

Dr. Choo said, "In the early days, implant surgery was performed in open flap, but since we started using the digital guide system in 2014, we are doing almost all surgeries digitally." “Currently, analog implantation is about 1-2 cases per month, and guide implantation is on average 20 cases per month, so mostly digital,” he remarked.
With a stunning record of 250 cases per year and 2,000 accumulated cases over 8 years, Dr. Choo recently received a thank you award from DIO for his loyalty for DIO.
“We always ask our patients who are getting implants whether to use analog method or digital guide. Especially after the introduction of guides, a significant number of patients are opting for the digital method. Most of the questions that patients ask are whether the gums swell after implants or how long it will take for them to recover.”
Currently, Mirae Yeon Dental Clinic is successfully operating the digital system, but in the early days, there were many reactions to whether it was necessary to change the existing method even though the analog method was not very inconvenient.
However, he actively persuaded the employees that it was a necessary part to adapt to the coming digital age, and the employees, who were unfamiliar at first, gradually adapted.
Of course, DIO also said that the staff in charge visited the dentist to provide regular digital education, helping the dentist establish a digital system.
Dr. Choo also visited the DIO Center at the Busan headquarter and actively learned DIO's digital know-hows. He said, "Above all, I think accuracy is the most important thing in digital guides. As a beginner I experienced trial and errors, but now I'm fully adapted." and he said, "If the design goes well, I can plant it exactly where I want it."

Patients are happy with the guide implant

Dr. Choo says most patients say they are satisfied with digital guide implant. In particular, when using a guide, there is not much advantage in the duration of surgery for single case whether using analog or digital, but in multi case the duration is remarkably shortened and efficiency improved.
“The general sentiment of the dental industry in our province is very conservative, so there are many doctors who still use the analog method, but these days, the number of dentists adopting a digital system is gradually increasing.”
Dr. Choo said that he tries to approach his patients from the patient's point of view. "DIO system is a non-incisive implantation, and I additionally use some anesthetics to reduce the pain. As a dentist, I tend to think deeply about which method is best for the patient," he said.
Regarding the difficulties he has experienced using digital guides, he said, "In the case of the mandibular second molar in the posterior, it is sometimes difficult to operate with a guide. In particular, people with small mouth opening tend to have a hard time opening them wide.”

Plans to introduce 3D printer next year

The workflow at Mirae Yeon Dental Clinic's digital treatment system starts by sending the oral scanner file to the DIO Design Center, where the digital guides are then designed by experienced specialists at DIO. Afterwards, the clinician exchanges opinions with DIO to find the best treatment plan for the patient.
The patient-first treatment philosophy has come to fruition, and Mirae Yeon Dental Clinic is said to have increased the number of patients despite the difficult situation in most dentistry due to COVID-19.
"I'm the type who constantly talks to patients. Of course, we have sufficient consultation prior to treatment. I think patients noticed and word of mouth has spread, so I have seen more cases where former patients bring in new cases of their own acquaintances. Above all, I feel proud that treating patients sincerely leads to good results."
Dr. Choo said about his future plans, "Next year, we will take a step closer to digital dentistry by introducing 3D printers and printing temporary and guide directly from the dental clinic."

[Sourced by Dental Arirang]