Dental technology: producing drilling templates digitally and efficiently

Drilling templates can be manufactured conventionally and also digitally. Both production methods have their advantages and their disadvantages. An overview. 

Both methods have their advantages and their disadvantages

Do you produce drilling templates? If so, do you use conventional production methods or are you already producing digitally? If you are working with conventional techniques, perhaps you have considered trying the digital method, but are still unsure? In case you need help in making the decision: The following is a list of the pros and cons of the different production methods.

Advantages of the conventional production method:

• You have low material costs.
• Conventional production methods are taught in dental technical and medical training.
  
  

Disadvantages of the conventional production method:

• You have to make the template by hand.
• The drilling guide may be imprecise due to deviations caused by manual production.
• More mess is made due to the grinding dust.
• If the template is lost, the dentist has to re-take the impression. This is more time-consuming for the dentist as well as for the patient.
• Conventional impressions can be uncomfortable for the patient. In addition, at times they have to be aborted and re-taken.
• The conventional production method is time-consuming.
• The model must be stored.
  
  

Advantages of the digital production method:

• You can save a lot of time
• The manufacture is extremely precise.
• There is less mess in the laboratory.
• With digitally manufactured templates, the dentist can place implants faster: The scan is stored in the data bank.
• If the template is lost it can be reproduced easily.
  
  

Disadvantages of the digital production method:

• The cost is relatively high (amortization of machines, ongoing material costs).
• The machine has to be maintained.
• Digital production methods are not yet taught during training.
  
  

Conclusion: craftsmanship combined with digital production

See for yourself: Conventional impression taking and subsequent model production are potential sources of error. And both procedures require time-consuming manual work. On the other hand, digital production is extremely precise but more cost-intensive. The great advantage lies primarily in the reproducibility, because the data collected is available long term. In addition, the digital production of the template is a far more pleasant experience for the patient. In both cases, however, it’s the dental technician’s skill, which significantly influences the quality of the work.

Drilling templates (made from ProArt CAD Splint):

Use the material ProART CAD Splint for producing digitally manufactured drilling templates. The transparent PMMA disc is coordinated to suit the Ivoclar Digital milling machines. This means you have the material and equipment from a single source. ProArt CAD Splint is available in two different disc thicknesses (16 and 20 mm).

You don’t have an Ivoclar Digital milling machine (yet)? No problem: The discs can be processed in all machines with a standard diameter of 98.5 mm.

Would you like to find out more about digital manufacturing methods? Ivoclar Digital is an experienced digital partner who supports dentists and dental technicians throughout the digital process chain. Particular emphasis is placed on clear and straightforward processes.

ProArt is a registered trademark of Ivoclar Vivadent AG. The availability of particular products may vary by country.