Transforming Patient Care: Embracing 3D Face Scanning in Dentistry With Dr. Richard J. Martin
Could you tell me about yourself and your practice?
I am an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in private practice in Lewisville, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. The scope of my practice encompasses all aspects of maxillofacial surgery with an emphasis on digital dental implant surgery. As far as dental implants, we have utilized digital technology for almost 15 years, starting back with intraoral scanning and combining it with cone-beam technology. Now, we are at the point of utilizing 3D facial scanning in the treatment of our cases. We’re seeing how 3D technology can enable us to incorporate all the necessary files to improve patient outcomes and make it more predictable for the restorative doctors, as well as the patients’ expectations.
Who, or what, got you into dentistry?
I was always surrounded by medicine as a child. My father was a general surgeon, and both my older brother and sister are physicians. My aunt was a dentist, and when she was completing her studies, I picked up one of her oral surgery textbooks and saw where you could surgically fracture the jaw and reposition it with titanium plates. I thought that was the most amazing thing I had seen. After this, oral surgery became my career path as I saw it as being an orthopedic surgeon of the face. I also saw in dentistry the ability to make a positive impact on patient’s oral health. That was very attractive and fascinating to me.
Dr. Richard Martin consulting with a patient.
Why and how is 3D face scanning relevant in dentistry?
In the past, we utilized only x-rays and stone models to plan cases. We progressed to 2D photographs to capture the patient in his or her own form. We utilized photos to study the patient and assess certain parameters of the smile, but it was still a 2D photo of the 3D face and teeth. As we moved into using intraoral scans and conebeam technology, we utilized digital technology, but we were still using 2D photos. Our goal was always to plan with a facially driven mindset. So, when we started moving into 3D facial scanning, we realized we had the ability to actually capture the patient’s dental avatar and merge multiple digital patient data files. This allowed us to create a “dental avatar,” or a virtual patient. Now, we are able to transfer this to the dental technicians and labs to help us in the treatment plan. We gave them the ability to see the patient more than just in a 2D photo.
Why RAYFace?
I’ve used other 3D facial scanning devices and tools, but what’s impressive about RAYFace (Ray America) is how fast it is. You’re able to capture an image in 1 second. Now, when utilizing other 3D facial scanners, you must ask the patient to basically hold his or her smile and sit still. This can take 20 to 30 seconds. So the true natural head position and representation of the patient can somewhat be skewed. With RAYFace, the scanner has 6 total cameras and captures in a 180° manner. What is also beautiful about this is that 2 of the cameras are specifically designed to capture the teeth and incisal edge position. This allows you to merge your intraoral scan and CBCT into one file and export it so that it can be loaded into software and manipulated right away. It really is, for lack of a better word, a one-stop option. You can merge all the files into one program and export them all together instead of piecemeal. You also have what’s called RAYTeams on RAYFace, where you can link directly to the lab and send that information to them, again, in one click, in one file—seamless.
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, how do you use RAYFace?
I use RAYFace to help plan my full-arch and aesthetic reconstruction cases with my referral doctors. RAYFace also can help in planning orthognathic surgery, which was my first love going into dentistry. Although right now my main focus is digital applications in implant dentistry, there are similarities to orthognathic surgery. Many of the steps in data capture in jaw surgery, such as facial thirds, vertical dimension, and anterior/posterior position, coincide with 3D scanning. RAYFace, with the merging of the files, allows you to capture, evaluate, and utilize. Ultimately giving patients “teeth that fit their faces.” So, as a maxillofacial surgeon, it almost feels natural for me, something that I am accustomed to. It wasn’t a very hard transition. So using a dental avatar created with RAYFace, is really a step for me that was a necessary progression.
