ZurichDental Podcast

Podcast with Dr Jakob Müller and ZTM Ruveyde Yusein

Digital Dental Technology – Precision with AI

How digital dental technology – using CAD/CAM, CEREC, intraoral scanners and AI – is making dentistry more precise

In the latest episode of ZurichDental, Dr Jakob Müller talks to our laboratory manager, Ruveyde Yusein, about modern dental technology, digital workflows and the close collaboration between dental practices and in-house laboratories. The focus is on CAD/CAM, CEREC, intraoral scanners, bruxism splints, implant crowns and the question of what role artificial intelligence will play in dentistry in the future. Everyone will learn about the major benefits of dentists and dental technicians working together under one roof.

"It is not enough to know; one must also put it into practice; it is not enough to want; one must also act."

 Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information

Dental technology combines medicine, technology and art

Ruvyede describes her profession as precisely that interface which many patients scarcely notice in day-to-day treatment, but which is crucial to the outcome: dental technology combines medicine, technology and art. Digital scans, photographs, videos and X-ray data are used to create crowns, bridges, splints, implant restorations and aesthetic dental reconstructions. What matters here is not only the software, but also the craftsmanship. After all, what counts in the end is that dental restorations look natural, feel comfortable and function precisely when biting.

Digital dentistry is replacing traditional impressions

A key theme of this episode is the fully digital workflow in the dental practice. In the past, impressions were taken using a soft material, then cast in plaster and sent to the dental laboratory. Today, intraoral scanners capture the dentition digitally and with high precision. The data is sent directly to the dental laboratory, where it is processed on screen. For patients, this means less gag reflex, fewer appointments, greater comfort and better predictability of treatment.

CAD/CAM and CEREC make dental restorations faster and more precise

CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. In dentistry, the CEREC system represents a major milestone: it was developed at the University of Zurich in 1985 and enables ceramic restorations to be produced quickly. Whilst CEREC is primarily used for single crowns and smaller restorations, modern CAD/CAM dental technology opens up many more possibilities. Crowns, bridges, implant crowns, retainers, splints and even cast restorations can be digitally designed and then milled or printed.

Teeth-grinding splints, teeth-whitening trays and anti-snoring mouthpieces: made to measure rather than off the shelf

Dental splints are a good example of just how personalised digital dental technology can be today. The Michigan splint, a classic anti-grinding splint used to treat bruxism, protects the teeth from wear and can relieve pressure on the temporomandibular joints and surrounding muscles. Whitening trays are designed to create small cavities for the whitening gel, allowing teeth to be whitened at home in a controlled and gentle manner. Anti-snoring mouthguards, on the other hand, gently move the lower jaw forwards to create more space in the throat for breathing. This customised fit can make a noticeable difference, particularly in cases of snoring and sleep apnoea.

Dental implant crowns require the utmost precision

The fabrication of implant crowns is particularly challenging. A natural tooth has a minimal degree of mobility, whereas an implant is firmly anchored in the bone. The implant crown must therefore fit with extreme precision so that dental floss can pass through easily, no pressure points develop and the chewing load is correct in the long term. Ruveyde Yusein goes on to emphasise just how much digital workflows simplify the process: scanning, design and milling are so well coordinated that the prosthesis often fits straight away. This saves time, avoids unnecessary adjustments and improves the quality of treatment.

Drilling templates ensure safety during implant procedures

Digital planning is playing an increasingly important role in implant treatments. This involves combining intraoral scans with 3D X-rays. The dental technician plans the ideal position for the future crown, whilst the dentist assesses the biomechanics and surgical feasibility. This results in a drilling template that guides the implant into the planned position during the procedure. The aim is clear: the artificial tooth root should be positioned exactly where it makes the most sense in functional, aesthetic and long-term terms.

The future of dental technology is digital, but it remains a craft

This episode clearly demonstrates that modern dental technology is far more than just behind-the-scenes work. It is a crucial part of high-quality dentistry. Digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, intraoral scanners, smile design and AI open up new possibilities, but none of this is possible without experience, an eye for form and precise craftsmanship. It is precisely this combination that makes the profession so exciting. Or as the episode suggests: every person is unique, and that is exactly why good dental restorations always require a solution that is planned and manufactured to suit each individual.
It is a great advantage for our patients that there is no need to go to an external laboratory for tooth colour matching or try-ins; instead, all of this takes place in the same room, in our usual setting and under the highest standards of hygiene. Even before work begins on a prosthetic restoration (partial crowns, crowns, bridges, implant crowns, implant bridges, etc.), Ms Yusein visits to professionally determine the tooth colour. She is also present during all try-ins and when the final restoration is delivered, ensuring that, thanks to the ‘four-eyes’ principle (dentist – master dental technician) plus the patient’s own two eyes, excellent results are always achieved.

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information

Make an appointment here for a short, non-binding free consultation:

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Related Posts

You might also be interested in:

DENTAL HYGIENE

Invisalign