The OPTISMILE Podcast 55 – Digital Dentistry Part 2: AI, 3D Printing & The Future of Your Smile
Summary
1. How does digital dentistry help preserve more of my natural tooth structure?
[1:19 – 2:34]
Digital dentistry allows for more precise and conservative treatments by capturing incredibly detailed images of your teeth. At OptiSmile, tools like intraoral scanners and AI-assisted design help dentists perform treatments like inlays and onlays instead of full crowns. This approach saves more of your natural tooth, strengthens its long-term durability, and often reduces the need for multiple appointments.
2. Do digital tools really make dental treatments more comfortable and accurate?
[2:45 – 3:54]
Yes. Traditional impressions can be messy and uncomfortable, but digital scanners eliminate the need for them entirely. They quickly create a 3D image of your mouth with high accuracy. This means less discomfort, fewer errors, and better treatment outcomes. Patients at OptiSmile benefit from a smoother, faster, and more precise dental experience.
3. Can AI actually help prevent bigger dental problems down the road?
[4:06 – 5:25]
Absolutely. AI acts like a second set of eyes, detecting issues such as decay or infection early—often before symptoms appear. Tools like Diagnocat used at OptiSmile can flag subtle changes on digital x-rays, allowing for quicker and less invasive treatments. This early detection can prevent pain, costly procedures, and long-term damage.
4. How do digital scans and AI make sure I only get treatments I really need?
[5:35 – 7:11]
Digital scans produce a clear, detailed 3D model of your entire mouth, allowing dentists to analyse every surface of every tooth. AI helps interpret this data, identifying real problems while filtering out unnecessary procedures. At OptiSmile, you’re shown your scans and reports, helping you understand and trust the treatment decisions.
5. How can digital tools help me choose the right veneers or crowns?
[7:21 – 8:23]
Digital previews using tools like iTero’s outcome simulator let patients see their future smile before any treatment begins. Whether you’re considering Invisalign, veneers or crowns, this helps visualise the results and make confident, informed decisions right from your first visit to OptiSmile—often at no extra cost.
6. Is digital dentistry better for the environment?
[8:32 – 9:30]
Yes. Digital workflows cut down significantly on plastic waste, shipping, and packaging. With in-house 3D printers at OptiSmile, items like retainers and bite plates can be created without physical moulds or lab couriers. This lowers the environmental impact of your dental care without compromising quality.
7. What kind of training does a digital dentist go through?
[9:39 – 11:28]
Going digital isn’t just about having the latest tools—it’s about knowing how to use them effectively. Dr Yudelman shares how he invests in high-level training, including hands-on and online 3D printing courses. At OptiSmile, this dedication ensures patients receive care from experts who stay current with the latest techniques.
8. Do digital scans help me feel more in control of my treatment?
[11:42 – 13:10]
They do. With tools like iTero’s Oral Health Suite, patients see detailed scans of their teeth during consultations. This encourages open discussion and shared decision-making. At OptiSmile, it’s called “co-discovery” and “co-diagnosis”—you and your dentist review everything together to make decisions that feel informed and transparent.
9. How do digital tools make sure new veneers or crowns look natural?
[13:20 – 15:56]
New 3D printing materials offer high translucency and precision, allowing OptiSmile to match your natural teeth better than ever. Ultra-thin veneers (as thin as 0.2 mm) can be printed with no drilling needed. Designs are mirrored for perfect symmetry, and the entire process is faster, more accurate, and more customisable.
10. Can digital dentistry really deliver same-day crowns and veneers?
[17:02 – 18:12]
Yes. Same-day treatments are now possible thanks to rapid 3D printing. OptiSmile can print and fit crowns, onlays, or no-prep veneers within a single visit. With large-platform printers, multiple restorations can be produced in minutes, giving patients convenience and results without delay.
Full transcript
[0:05 – 0:42]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
Welcome to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth here on eRadio, the go-to podcast where curiosity meets dentistry straight from the experts. We’re joined once again by Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile and ready to take a deep dive into the world of dental care from a consumer’s perspective.
If you’re looking to brighten your smile or protect your wallet, we’ve got you covered with practical advice and the latest insights. So stick around with us for the next couple of minutes as we uncover the secrets to maintaining both your dental health and your finances.
It’s a very big hello and welcome again to you, Dr Yudelman.
[0:42 – 1:07]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Hi, nice to chat to you. Hope you had a good week. Thanks for having me back.
Looking forward to today, continuing with digital dentistry today and then next week will be our last. There is some overlap, but we go deeper, as I explained last time, and we did get a lot of interest to last week’s podcast. So let’s get going today.
[1:08 – 1:19]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
Yeah, awesome. So continuing with digital dentistry, I’ve heard that digital dentistry can actually spare more of my natural tooth. How does that benefit me in the long run, doctor?
[1:19 – 2:34]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Preserving your natural tooth structure is like keeping the foundation of a building intact. When we use digital tools like intraoral scanners – we’ve got several different scanners here at OptiSmile – and now with AI-assisted design, we’re able to see your tooth in incredible detail.
That clarity lets us restore and preserve more of your healthy tooth. We can do more inlays and onlays rather than full crowns, and you maintain better overall strength, which helps to avoid fractures and breakdown in the future. We always say less is more when it comes to your teeth, and we do have an episode about inlays and onlays.
This means fewer appointments. We can often do these in one appointment – prepare the tooth, save as much of the tooth as possible, scan you, use our design tools and 3D print or mill a restoration, and bond it in place. There’s a much higher likelihood that your tooth will remain durable for many years, which helps support your overall oral health.
[2:34 – 2:45]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
These new scanning and AI tools sound really great, but do they actually make treatments more comfortable and precise for the patient?
[2:45 – 3:54]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Yes, they genuinely do. Traditional methods – impressions – can trigger gag reflexes or discomfort. As we’ve touched on before, digital scanners capture a highly accurate 3D image of your teeth in a matter of seconds.
It not only improves the accuracy – because there’s less margin for human error in mixing impression material or timing – but it also removes the need for plaster models or physical transport. You get a digital record that’s super accurate and more comfortable.
We can enlarge the images on the screen and spot tiny areas of decay or misalignment that we might otherwise miss. The result is a more precise diagnosis and a significantly improved experience while you’re in the chair.
[3:54 – 4:05]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
I know you like using AI, doctor, so how does AI help spot or prevent future dental issues before they become painful or costly?
[4:06 – 5:25]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Think of AI as an extra pair of eyes. It can detect subtle changes we might not easily see. We use something called Diagnocat that spots fine shadowing on a tooth and flags it for me to review. I still make the final decision, but the AI algorithms can pick up these shadows or early lesions on digital x-rays.
By catching issues early, we can use minimally invasive techniques – like small fillings instead of root canals – which saves money, time, discomfort and can also catch recurring infections early. For instance, if a root canal wasn’t done well, AI might detect problems even before we can see them clearly. Early detection helps reduce the chance of sudden pain or major treatment later on.
[5:25 – 5:34]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
And how do digital scans and AI ensure that I only get the treatments I truly need, without missing any hidden problems?
[5:35 – 7:11]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
When we scan your mouth, the software creates a detailed 3D image of every tooth and the surrounding tissue. We can even see the backs of your last molars – particularly hard to examine on the upper arch.
There’s also a new software just launched at IDS in Cologne that will read cavities directly from digital scans as well as x-rays – very exciting! Because it’s digital, we can zoom, rotate, and assess where your bite forces land, helping us spot real bite issues.
I usually sit with patients and go through their photos, X-rays, AI reports, and scans. I often don’t even look inside their mouth until the last 10 or 15 minutes. We use all the data upfront so patients can see and understand everything first.
When we do look, it’s just to confirm or test – for example, with cold air or bite paper. It’s a combination of AI analytics and professional judgment that ensures you only receive treatment that’s necessary and appropriate.
[7:12 – 7:20]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
And I hear digital tools can also guide the choice of your crowns or veneers. How does that actually help me pick the best option?
[7:21 – 8:23]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
With Invisalign, for example, we can show people a preview of how their teeth will look after straightening. Using iTero’s outcome simulation, we can also show them what their teeth could look like with veneers or crowns – all on a simple in-smile photograph.
It helps patients understand the possible size and shape adjustments, such as where we’d need to make gaps or lengthen teeth. This can all be done on your first visit – no extra cost – which really boosts patient confidence and decision-making.
You work with the end in mind. That visualisation helps people feel more in control of their choices.
[8:23 – 8:31]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
Is digital dentistry more eco-friendly by cutting down on waste? And why should it matter?
[8:32 – 9:30]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Absolutely. Traditional moulds use plastic trays and silicone that doesn’t biodegrade. There’s now a move towards eliminating models entirely. We’ve just acquired a printer that can make retainers, aligners and bite plates without even needing a physical model.
No extra plastic, no couriering to labs. We simply send files digitally through secure HIPAA- and POPIA-compliant platforms. This cuts down on materials, packaging and shipping – all of which helps the environment.
[9:30 – 9:39]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
That’s fantastic. And how much training or expertise should I expect from a dentist who’s fully digital?
[9:39 – 11:28]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
A fully digital dentist invests heavily in training – not just in how to operate the equipment, but in how to interpret the data. It’s an entirely new way of working.
It means you get someone who can use scans and AI effectively and spot issues reliably. I’m about to attend a two-day 3D printing course on new printers launching soon in South Africa – just the course alone is R12,500.
We’ve also signed up for two online 3D printing courses, each costing $1,000. So it’s not just buying a printer and plugging it in – it’s about investing in proper education, especially when we’re working with patients’ teeth.
[11:29 – 11:42]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
And do these digital scans and AI insights make me feel more in control of my treatment plan?
[11:42 – 13:10]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
They truly do. Imagine seeing a digital replica of your teeth on screen. When we scan you with iTero, the Oral Health Suite lets us view your teeth as though it’s a plaster model.
We can see worn spots, thinning enamel, even use near-infrared imaging. This makes the patient part of the process. You can ask targeted questions and make informed choices with full understanding.
We call it co-discovery – we see your mouth together for the first time, and then co-diagnosis, where we point out what’s healthy, what’s not, and why a treatment is recommended.
[13:10 – 13:20]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
And how do these technologies ensure that my new crowns or veneers perfectly match my existing teeth?
[13:20 – 15:56]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
We’re very excited about the new 3D printing resins. They can match natural teeth even better than ceramics, especially with high translucency. We can print super-thin veneers – as little as 0.2 mm – which means no drilling and no prep.
They’re nearly transparent, and when polished, they blend beautifully. For Hollywood-style smiles, there are more opaque options too, but we usually promote a more natural look.
We can digitally mirror one front tooth to match the other for symmetry, which used to be done manually. On the Sprintray Cloud, you can upload scans and get designs back in five minutes – perfect every time.
We can mill or print, depending on the material. These materials have been used in the US for years and are now coming to South Africa.
[15:56 – 15:57]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
OptiSmile, of course.
[15:59 – 16:50]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Yes, OptiSmile near you! We’re actually franchising, so look out for OptiSmile practices nationwide. We’ve had interest from all over the country.
Each will include a 3D scanner, a CBCT x-ray machine with AI, and a Sprintray Pro 2 or Midas printer. The Midas is specially designed for veneers, inlays, crowns and implant work.
[16:50 – 17:02]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
Very exciting times, Dr Yudelman. Just one more question – I’ve heard about same-day crowns. Can digital tools really make that happen?
[17:02 – 18:12]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Same-day dentistry is amazing – no need to come back, get numb again, or wear a temporary crown. We’ve been doing same-day crowns and onlays for a while, particularly on molars.
Now with 3D-printed no-prep veneers, we can print 10 veneers in 10 minutes. Printing is the only way to produce them that thin. The platform is large, so you can print dozens at once – it’s unbelievable.
[18:12 – 18:38]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
It’s incredible. Hello to the future – with OptiSmile.
[18:39 – 18:47]
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile:
Hello future, yes! And wait until next week – even more on digital dentistry. I’m so glad people are excited to hear about this. I love talking about it and look forward to next week’s episode.
[18:50 – 19:32]
Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA:
That wraps up today’s episode of Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. Big thanks to Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile for sharing his expertise, and thanks to you for tuning in.
Share the podcast, subscribe, and don’t forget to consult your own dentist for advice tailored to your needs. See you next time!
Contact the Best dentist in Cape Town
Book your next Dental Checkup with OptiSmile
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, “Save Your Money Save Your Teeth” on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.