In the ever-changing field of implant dentistry, staying at the forefront of technology is crucial for both patient care and practice efficiency, suggests Rick Ferguson, DMD, a renowned dental practitioner and educator with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Ferguson has made significant strides in his Davie, Florida, practice by incorporating 3D printing and Pac-Dent's Rodin® Sculpture 2.0. Recently awarded the 2024 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award for its cutting-edge innovations in the field of dentistry, this next-generation resin product, he says, is helping him deliver timely, superior dental solutions to his patients.
Ferguson, who runs a comprehensive four-operatory practice with his wife, Katherine Ferguson, DMD, believes strongly in delivering tailored patient care. "Delivering exactly what the patient requires is what's most important to me as a practitioner. We provide all aspects of dentistry, including advanced dental implants for full-mouth rehabilitation," he says. This holistic approach to meeting patients' needs includes same-day crowns and customized esthetics.
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Since adopting the use of Rodin Sculpture 2.0, a zirconia-infused nanohybrid resin for fixed restorations and long-term provisionals, about a year ago, Ferguson has seen transformative benefits for his practice. "By leveraging modern technology we are able to increase efficiency and enhance the patient experience," he says. "We're currently using Sculpture 2.0 for inlays, long-term temporaries, and final denture teeth."
The product's esthetic quality and wear resistance, Ferguson notes, set it apart. Rodin Sculpture 2.0's 60% zirconia-infused filler increases these properties, "in ways no other ceramic filler can. The precision and ease of printing significantly reduces failures, leading to perfectly fitting restorations every time," he confirms.
Ferguson adds that with Rodin Sculpture 2.0 the ability to provide precise, esthetic same-day temporaries has enhanced the overall patient experience, especially in full-arch cases. "The restorations we design and print fit the prepared teeth or multi-unit implant abutments with a level of accuracy, strength, and fit that rivals milled restorations," he says. "This, in turn, leads to improved tissue health and fewer postoperative issues, such as breakage."
The integration of new materials like Rodin Sculpture 2.0 has fundamentally improved the workflow in Ferguson's practice. "Ceramic-filled resins like Sculpture 2.0 do not require washing in isopropyl alcohol, which reduces post-processing time. A good stain and glaze kit, such as Rodin Palette, is designed specifically for staining 3D-printed restorations to achieve optimal results," he says.
Ferguson continues: "The precision we achieve with Rodin Sculpture 2.0 means that on some high-resolution 3D printers we can now design using parameters that exceed those achievable with milling. No longer do we need to design with lower tolerances for 3D printing."
"Every dentist can benefit from 3D printing technologies. It's time for dentistry to embrace these changes," he asserts.
Rick Ferguson, DMD
Private Practice, Davie, Florida; Diplomate, American Board of Oral Implantology; Diplomate, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
Pac-Dent
909-839-0888
rodin-3D.com
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