Interview with Ivan Choe, the Director of APEX Digital Dental

• As the first Digital Dental Laboratory in Malaysia founded in 2016, share with us APEX’s background and mission.

APEX was set up in 2016. We started as a small company doing restoration of dentures and fixing single crowns. Today, by going digital, we can open up our channels to the world with manufacturing facilities all around the globe. In 2021 December, Apex Digital Dental has practiced a voluntary Merger & Acquisition (M&A) exercise with MODERN DENTAL HOLDINGS incorporated in Hong Kong and listed in HKSE. APEX is the first full fledge Digital Dental Laboratory in Malaysia.

• Do share with us APEX’s core business. What’s APEX focused on in the dental industry in Malaysia?

APEX offers services in digital-assisted implant treatment planning and guided surgery, implant bars and bridges, surgical guide, customized abutments, 3D printing, CADCAM prosthetics, and digital smile designs and we also provide education and training.

• What does APEX bring to the table for 3D printing in the dental industry? What is APEX’s forte?

APEX offers computer-guided implant surgery in 3D printing. The advantages and benefits of it are it helps dentists achieve predictable and safe implant placements. Its ability to visualize vital anatomical structures allows dentists to better preserve them during guided surgery. Detailed treatment planning beforehand also helps to reduce or eliminate unexpected events during surgery. Plus, the time required for implant surgery can be substantially reduced. The only drawbacks are the initial cost of investing in specialized surgical equipment and planning software, as well as the time needed for training. It’s however not unusual for clinicians to spend more time planning the surgery compared to traditional implant treatments.

So, when is using computer-guided implant surgery advisable? The patient requires three or more implants to be placed sequentially or when implant placement is critical to the success
of the proposed restoration. Patients who have problems with the structure or volume of their bone, or require significant alteration of bony anatomy, may benefit from computer-guided
implant surgery. It helps to reduce problems concerning the proximity of existing implants or adjacent teeth. People who are fully edentulous or patients who require immediate extraction followed by immediate implant placement.

APEX use computer-guided implant surgery to achieve a more desirable outcome. It allows clinicians to plan the exact morphology and position of planned restorations before placing and positioning implants, helping to create the ideal treatment plan. It also can ensure vital anatomical structures are avoided, it fully visualizes the anatomy surrounding the implant locations while still ensuring the implant is placed in the ideal position.

The entire dental team was able to visualize and approve the treatment plan, including the final prosthesis. Experienced dental technicians are frequently able to adjust planned restorations to accommodate dental implants in less-than-ideal locations, often by using custom abutments. This type of digital workflow can result in a better treatment outcome, particularly when an immediate prosthesis is required. This technique can reduce pain and discomfort post-operatively. It provides patients with implant survival rates comparable to conventional implant treatment. Visualize their virtual treatment plans, making it easier for the dentist to explain possible treatment options and potential risks, all while showing them the predicted outcome. This increased level of patient education can provide greater acceptance of a proposed treatment plan.

• As digital dentistry has become more accessible over the years, how it can be a game changer in the dental industry? What are the challenges that APEX faced in its adoption of it?

Digital dentistry has been here for a while. The effects bring 3D printing and CAD-CAM technology. CAD CAM computer, CAD Computer, and 10 CAD CAM has been around for
a long time, but we choose 3D printing over it because of its reduction method. It’s faster and the result will be better plus more accurate. It’s also more sustainable as you’ll have lesser wastage. Metaphorically, it’s nothing you build into something hence you won’t waste a lot of things. As an industry player, I will say they both complement each other and digital dentistry is not there to replace anyone or anything. It’s there to help you, that is the keyword and the tagline. Digital dentistry is there to make your life better. It’s to help people without going through the hassle and just clicking on computers. Hence, what I can say is technology does improve lives.

APEX is one of the pioneers entering this industry. We have gained enough traction and recognition from the market. We have built up a reputation. We have a slight influence in today’s world of digital dentistry. As digital dentistry becomes more accessible over the years, it’s a game changer, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why? The frontline is the one who’s at risk of being exposed to the virus. We’re conventionally using a dental mole, recoil, dental impression, or molding. It’s the general practice that exposes you to any infection from the patients. Most times, the material might not able to portray the discrepancy right away.

• Do share with us a few of APEX’s views on digital dentistry in Malaysia.

Industry players need to understand the challenge of the technology as such the adaptation rate is high. APEX focuses on the dental industry and providing high technology as we plan to synergize the whole business in terms of integrating equipment and also education. Doctors who opt for digital dentistry require types of equipment which we can supply for them. The demand and supply are there. Manufacturers also will opt for something higher in ROI.

Doctors opt for the equipment we, APEX can supply, of course manufacturers also developing more new and advanced technology for the dental industry. Therefore APEX’s principle is being the leading example by bringing in the new technology of dentistry to help people develop the industry together for the advancement of the landscape in Malaysia.

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