Ann Arbor, MI — November 9, 2012 — A third-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry recently won third place for her poster presentation at the annual session of the American College of Prosthodontists.

Jill Kristine Dery was recognized for her work that focused on an innovative approach to conventional removable complete denture fabrication using CAD/CAM technology.  Her mentor, Dr. Renee Duff, a clinical associate professor of dentistry, said the technology applied in Dery’s work “may lead to fewer appointments for patients and shorter treatment times in select cases.”

Dery used a digital denture process that involved CAD/CAM technology.  The technology has been used for some time in areas of dentistry such as fixed restorations, implant planning, placement, and restoration.  Dery’s approach to using CAD/CAM in conventional removable complete denture fabrication is a recent innovation, according to Duff.   

Dery focused on digital dentistry for her Pathways Program.  The School’s program is designed to give predoctoral dental students opportunities to investigate an area of oral health care that interests them.  “I have seen the usefulness of this technology in my father’s office,” Dery said.  “I would like to learn as much as possible about the different applications of digital dentistry while I’m in the dental program here at Michigan.”