Welcome to the EADT eV TEAM Talk Special. On November 20, 2024, Prof. Dr. Irena Sailer and ZTM Vincent Fehmer from the University of Geneva were our guests and discussed the topic of "Fixed prosthetics in the team approach". They shared profound specialist knowledge and also talked about their professional development - with some surprising twists and turns. We have summarized some of the takeaways for you!
If you missed the talk live, you can watch the recording here until mid-February 2025.
More than a presentation: A journey through time
What happens when two internationally renowned experts not only share specialist knowledge, but also bravely look in the "rearview mirror"? Irena and Vincent offered a fascinating mix of state-of-the-art dentistry and personal reflection. They shared their enthusiasm for digital dentistry with us - but also their critical reflections on the limits of technology. The honesty with which they spoke about their learning processes was particularly touching. "Looking back, we would do some things differently" - such statements show that even specialists in their field go through a continuous development process. This authenticity made the evening a valuable experience for everyone... it is the special moments when a technical presentation suddenly becomes an emotional journey.
The rearview mirror as a compass
The comparison between 2007/2010 and today reveals a fundamental change in dentistry. What was considered state of the art back then appears in a different light from today's perspective:
- From generous preparations for all-ceramic crowns to minimally invasive procedures
- From the first digital tools to highly integrated CAD/CAM systems
- From limited to exponentially grown material diversity
This journey through time also made it clear that not every supposed advance always immediately turns out to be a real benefit. The analysis showed how important it is to critically question technological innovations and to integrate them sensibly into proven concepts.
Digital Evolution: AR as a Strategic Tool
Augmented Reality (AR) is evolving from a promise of the future to a pragmatic instrument. The two speakers gave insights into its strategic use; AR as a pragmatic tool for everyday practice with defined possibilities and clear limits: Areas of application, e.g.:
- Virtual tooth libraries for real-time visualization
- Seamless integration into the digital workflow
- Intuitive Patient Communication
Workflow integration:
- Export of the AR design as an STL dataset
- further processing in the CAD software
- Creating precise digital mock-ups
- Direct use for CAD/CAM manufacturing
"The ability to visualize different scenarios for patients fundamentally changes communication with patients," said the speakers. Nevertheless, they urged caution: "The software can conjure up beautiful images - but the biological feasibility must always be critically examined."
In this context, awareness was raised about the importance of mock-ups:
- Digital mock-ups for the first visualization
- Indirect mock-ups for "try-on wear"
- Final adjustment based on patient feedback
The multi-step strategy minimizes misunderstandings and maximizes patient satisfaction.
"rehabilitation" of manual labor
In striking contrast to the digital evolution was the plea for hand-layered feldspar veneers – described by Irena Sailer as the “Michelangelo of restorations”. The advantages are convincing even in the digital age:
- Unsurpassed individual aesthetics
- Natural-identical enamel reproduction
- Vivid depth effect and natural translucency
- Proven longevity over 20+ years
The superior aesthetics are particularly evident when compared to monolithic restorations. For Irena Sailer and Vincent Fehmer, the future does not lie in “either-or”, but in the intelligent combination of traditional and digital techniques.
Honesty as a quality feature
What made this TEAM Talk special stand out was the combination of solid expertise and honest reflection. The central message: The key to success in dentistry does not lie in the blind adoption of new technologies, but in the well-considered integration of new tools into proven treatment concepts.
TEAM Talk: A forum for everyone
The evening once again underlined how valuable the EADT eV is as a platform for open exchange between dentistry, dental technology, science and industry. Especially in times of rapid technological developments, formats such as the TEAM Talk are needed, which not only convey specialist knowledge, but also offer space for critical reflection and honest dialogue. The next TEAM Talk is being planned and will again take up a highly topical issue for dental practices and dental laboratories. The details will be announced shortly on the EADT eV website.