A novel digital dentistry platform based on cloud manufacturing paradigm

Abstract

ABSTRACTDentistry technology has been developed drastically during past two decades and the application of software and automated digital equipment have been proposed to have the most influence. Digital dental workflow includes four phases: scan, design, production planning and production which in each of the phases, the various software packages and digital devices are required. In addition, workflow in dentistry requires intensive cooperation among dentists, dental laboratories, technicians, imaging and production centres. This paper has developed anovel platform for digital dentistry, which facilitates the interoperability among different digital components and improves digital workflow in acollaborative environment. The platform is inspired by the cloud manufacturing paradigm for enabling the interoperability and collaboration management and also applies the DICOM standard to improve the integration for the coordination among the different stakeholders. The paper has proposed the application PACS concept to include design, implant planning, process planning and production workstations. The paper has conducted acomprehensive case study through ascenario-based workflow simulation. The exchange of data among the participants was investigated while the different digital components were collaboratively engaged, and the digital workflow was seamless. The application of Cloud manufacturing paradigm enables the sharing of resource capacity while distributed geographically.