Manoj Parmar has been privileged to witness first-hand the integration of technology into dentistry. As he reflects on its evolution, he shares his experiences and looks ahead to an exciting future.
Technological advancements continually reshape the landscape of patient care. Among the pioneers embracing these innovations is Dr Manoj Parmar, co-owner of award-winning Acorn Dental. Their two-site Birmingham-based dental business a beacon of excellence in delivering premium dental care to the local community – and his keen integration of state-of-the-art technology has proved pivotal in his success.
Manoj’s journey is rooted in his local upbringing and unwavering dedication to his craft. After graduating from Sheffield Dental Hospital in 1998, he returned to Birmingham. Here, he completed his postgraduate training at Acorn under the mentorship of Dr Bill Cooper. A deep connection with the area led him to eventually acquire Acorn Dental.
His expertise in restorative dentistry, particularly in implant dentistry, has garnered him recognition as a leader in the field. This is evidenced by his completion of a Master’s in 2013.
Central to his practice philosophy is a relentless pursuit of innovation. He also believes in taking others with him, so he has maintained Acorn’s status as a training practice, providing invaluable mentorship to budding dental professionals.
Here, he shares his insight into the digitalisation of dentistry and looks ahead to an exciting next chapter…
How do you see technological advancements shaping the future of implant dentistry and other specialised fields within dentistry?
Since graduating in 1998, I have had a front-row seat in witnessing the introduction of technology to the world of dentistry. I have also implemented these advancements into our daily practice.
The first was the computerisation of records; then came digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, CBCT and intraoral scanners – and now AI. For me, transitioning from wet-film developing to digital radiography at the turn of the century was the biggest game changer.
Our practice increasingly relies on digital pathways for planning, executing surgical procedures and managing restorative stages of implant dentistry. This digital transformation extends to our comprehensive range of restorative, aesthetic and orthodontic services, enhancing the precision and efficiency of our practice.
Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, how do you ensure your practice stays up-to-date with the latest innovations to continue providing excellent patient care?
We are constantly bombarded with technological advancements in dentistry. This is usually wrapped in some form of marketing rhetoric on how it will improve efficiency, improve results, reduce costs or a combination of the above.
We embrace digital advancements in our practices and laboratory, but this is always done with considerable thought and research to ensure that quality of care is not compromised. At some point, you have to take the leap, and I would say that we fall into the latter part of the early adopters’ phase of the product adoption curve.
‘We embrace digital advancements in our practices and laboratory, but this is always done with considerable thought and research to ensure that quality of care is not compromised.’
What digital dentistry technologies do you foresee integrating into your practice in the near future, and how do you anticipate these advancements will further improve patient care and outcomes?
We are currently looking at ways AI can enhance our interactions with patients, improve efficiency within the practice and reduce human errors. We are still sceptical about the concept, but it’s here to stay, so we should embrace it.
In what specific ways does new technology improve patient comfort and confidence during dental procedures?
In implant dentistry, using surgical guides has revolutionised the confidence with which we can operate. From the patient’s perspective, it has also reduced the surgical time.
Accurate 3D imaging (CBCT and intraoral scanning) allows the surgeon to meticulously plan prosthetically driven implant placements, simultaneously avoiding vital structures and decreasing operating time. Patients love to see the planning on the screen and feel more involved in their treatment. They also take comfort in the fact that the surgery has already been simulated outside their mouth before the real thing.
The benefit of potentially reducing surgery duration or opting for a flapless approach adds to the appeal. What’s not to like?
How key is fostering open communication through visual aids? How does real-time visualisation of results on a screen empower patients to engage in their treatment journey actively?
Talking to patients about their teeth with an intraoral scan on the screen is much more engaging because now they can visualise their mouths from the dentist’s perspective. They can see the calculus behind the lower incisors, the fractured cusp or the effect a missing tooth has on the adjacent and opposing teeth. Moving the teeth to illustrate what they could look like after orthodontics or simulating a smile makeover imbues excitement and anticipation and, as a result, ethically increases treatment uptake.
How has integrating Dürr’s VistaScan Mini View enhanced your diagnostic process?
We were early adopters regarding dental imaging, starting with the Trophy RVG system, which had an intraoral sensor almost 1cm thick! From there, we switched to phosphorus plates – infinitely more comfortable for the patients.
The resolution and contrast of the early scanners required improvement, but since switching to VistaScan, these concerns have been addressed.
The images are crisp and detailed, and the unit is sturdy, reliable and easy to use. It integrates well with any practice management system and, best of all, has a very small footprint. We were lucky to win a VistaScan Mini View last year but had already invested in VistaScan units at each of our practices. This latest model is waiting to be installed at our upcoming new site.
For more information, visit www.duerrdental.com.
This article is sponsored by Dürr Dental.
