Computers increase dental readiness and do it in less time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tania Reid
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla --  Awaiting dental fillings, bridges or crowns can take weeks to complete. These are weeks a deploying servicemember can't afford. 

The 6th Dental Squadron members at MacDill have streamlined and sped up the process of dental readiness by using the CEREC CAD/CAM. 

"The CEREC, Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Manufacturing screen displays a 3-D custom image of the patient's teeth and gums," said Capt. Eric Hardy, 6th Dental Squadron general dentist. 

Capt. Hardy uses a cursor to draw the precise design of the tooth restoration while the CAD/CAM machine fabricates the restoration through a milling chamber that crafts the tooth-like ceramic material into a precise replica of the drawing. 

"A patient on the verge of deploying within days can receive treatment for his teeth within 90 minutes or more," said Capt. Hardy. "The machine helps with crowns, fillings, bridges and most other treatments to help the Airman meet the deadlines for their outprocessing checklist." 

Before using this machine the original procedure had patients coming in to get a molded impression of their teeth and then their second visit would give them a temporary crown. 

This method would be too long for servicemembers in need of getting the job done close to their deadline. 

The machine has been at the clinic for a year, its able assist in how crowns are made. However, it is not for everyone. 

"There are exceptions to who can use this machine, such as, persons that grind their teeth so the traditional methods of the technicians molding the tooth through longer sessions are still used," Capt. Hardy. "Only a few of the bases are using this technology, and MacDill happens to be one of them. 

The Dental Squadron members work to ensure that individuals are scheduled for their regular appointments but in the off chance that the patients should need additional dental work in a hurry the CAD/CAM would be used. 

"Dental health is important here, it's one less thing for the Airman to worry about. They get a chance to get a free checkup at the clinic which they wouldn't be able to get easily while deployed," said Capt. Hardy. 

There are several categories that determine whether the servicemember is deployable.
CAT. 1 means they have met all their dental requirements, CAT.2 they have some minor work to be done, CAT. 3 and 4 rates their conditions as serious and non-deployable until repaired. 

Active duty Airmen are required to get a yearly examination at the dental clinic to put them in great shape. The Air Force has approved the CEREC CAD/CAM be used to help Airmen accomplish the mission by speeding up the process and efficiency of preventative dentistry.