Page 52 - CEREC Q4|2012

48 | cerecdoctors.com | quarter 2 | 2013
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It is what a reasonable, prudent dentist
should be doing under the same or similar
circumstances while applying scien-
tific, evidence-based concepts. For our
purposes, it is the mind of CEREC dentist
that I base my assumptions. The assump-
tion is that we agree upon the benefits
of CAD/CAM dentistry. If we can agree
that one profound benefit of CAD/CAM
is restorative precision, then understand
that CBCT provides us the same level
of precision for diagnosis and surgical
treatment.
Although the definition of the stan-
dard of care has not changed, the
method in which clinicians practice has
changed and, therefore, the level of care
has evolved with the development of
new diagnostic tools, biomaterials, and
the advent of new treatment modali-
ties. Throw in the ever-changing vari-
able of technology and we find ourselves
confused about the “standards.” The
factors that influence the standard of
care include the diagnosis, the patient,
advancing technologies and materials,
and treatment modalities for optimal
care. We must continually re-educate
ourselves with the emerging technolo-
gies, materials and techniques.
Certainly, having scientifically evalu-
ated evidence to support a treatment
modality is critical to defining a stan-
dard of care. As long as we are able to
support the treatment decisions with
great science and good judgment, put the
patient’s interests first and do no harm,
we may approach CBCT as the standard
of care. Remember, lets not get confused
about CBCT as being the “standard of
care” just because it is new technology, or
a the fact that it has become a “favorite”
and trending technology amongst our
group of CAD/CAM clinicians. Let it
become the standard of care because of
the proof of precision, improved diagnos-
tics, and reduction in clinical morbidity.
Let CBCT become the standard of care
because we have a greater responsibility
5 6
7 8
Figs. 5-8: CBCT planning of extensive
implant reconstruction showing before,
treatment plan in CBCT, and temps
provided same day as surgery for
teeth in a day
to evaluate and treat our patients more
comprehensively. Remember that as
general dentists, if we choose to perform
a specialty procedure on our patient,
we will be held to the same standard as
a specialist. In other words, if you are
going to extract a third molar, you will
be held to the same standards as an oral
surgeon. So, if you are going to provide
a procedure, make sure it is provided
at the highest level. Although you and I
can agree that there are different “levels”
of crowns that a patient can choose (i.e.
low-end vs. high-end lab), in the legal