Did you know ...

Tooth replacement is usually associated with age and disease. What many people do not know is that the latest treatment possibilities also help young people. Not only the elderly, but also the young are driven by aesthetic reasons to think about a third set of teeth. A loss of teeth can be caused not only by age, but also by accidents or diseases.

Therefore, a demographic change is not the only reason that an increasing number of people rely on false teeth. New technical possibilities ensure simplified, less painful procedures in tooth implantology. Occasionally, an implant does not sit properly and has to be removed, meaning additional pain for the patient. The RWTH Aachen and its Clinic for Dental Prosthetics have developed a measuring procedure that reduces this risk: the precise measurement of the geometric features enables more exact positioning and faster insertion of the implants. The METROTOM measuring machine from Carl Zeiss was used to qualify the new procedure.

METROTOM measures various workpieces using x-rays. The models are completely measured and the system delivers a 3D view which is then used as a precise measurement and for comparison with the mold models of the implants. Exact data is vital here as the position of the borehole in the later prosthetic must not exceed the reference value by more than 0.1 millimeters. If this happens, the fit accuracy of the prosthetic is not guaranteed. Thanks to the technological progress in medical technology, maybe even you can visit the dentist without any reservations.

August 12, 2008