Dr. Sven Holtorf
• Dr. med. dent. Sven Holtorf is a dentist and Master of Science in Oral Implantology.
• Since 1993, he has been leading DENTAL+, a digitally oriented center for dental health in Bad Segeberg. With i-Dent-CE, he has established a training company where he provides hands-on education for dentists and dental technicians.
• His focus lies on digital workflows and the integration of digital jaw registration using the JMA-Optic system.
Sven, your digital practice concept using the JMA Optic system is based on two pillars – splint therapy and the fabrication of complex dental restorations. Please introduce your concept.
With pleasure. These two areas form the foundation of our digital workflow. Both splint therapy and the fabrication of complex restorations are fully digitized in our practice, with active involvement of the practice team. In both areas, the acquisition of digital jaw registration data using the JMA-Optic system by zebris Medical is carried out by our dental staff. In splint therapy, we additionally use an intraoral scanner. Our goal is to integrate functional aspects from the very beginning and transfer them consistently into the final restoration.
How do you prepare your patients for complex treatments?
It always starts with a personal consent. During the initial discussion, I explain to the patient why functional analysis is essential – especially in cases of insufficient restorations, large gaps, or existing complaints. We also talk about exercises in preparation for jaw registration. Digital jaw registration with the JMA-Optic system is an integral part of our concept and is transparently included in the treatment and cost plan.
What role does your team play in the digital workflow?
A central one. Many steps, such as intraoral scanning and jaw registration, are delegated by me. The JMA-Optic system is very easy to use, supported visually and acoustically, and therefore easy to understand. However, proper training is essential. Our team is intensively trained by me and must also understand the functional background as well as the forensic aspects. They participate in our i-Dent-CE training programs and external courses. This ensures reliability, smooth workflows, and high motivation among our staff.
When is jaw registration performed in your workflow?
In most cases, the dental assistant performs the registration before the preparation appointment, often the day before or shortly before the procedure. If preparation is carried out on the same day, the treatment room is prepared immediately afterward, so the patient does not experience any waiting time. The data are transferred into the virtual articulator and serve as the basis for function-oriented restorations. This significantly increases efficiency.
How do you actively involve your patients?
Transparency is very important to us. I explain exactly what we are doing and actively involve the patient. The registration is painless and non-invasive. Especially for CMD patients, it is extremely helpful when they can see their movement data during or after the registration and better understand their condition.
“Transparency is very important to us. I explain exactly what we are doing and actively involve the patient. The registration is painless and non-invasive.”
How do patients respond to this approach?
Very positively. At first, the system may seem unfamiliar, but after a brief explanation, the acceptance is high. Many patients appreciate the transparency and traceability. Particularly in CMD diagnostics, the concept quickly spreads by word of mouth in our region.
What advantages does this bring in terms of treatment quality?
We register all patients as a standard procedure, primarily to minimize potential sources of error. The result is a very high level of precision: in 95 to 98% of complex cases, no adjustments are required. That speaks for itself.
How is this implemented in your in-house laboratory?
The fabrication takes place in our master-led in-house laboratory. It is essential that dentistry and dental technology are perfectly aligned digitally. Our technicians work with the inLab and exocad software and can process the data directly. Proper training is also crucial here. When everyone understands the processes, everything works seamlessly, and the digital data provide an ideal basis for producing high-quality restorations.
Let’s move to the first pillar: splint therapy. How is this implemented in your practice?
In cases of functional complaints, I start with a diagnostic and consultation session. The intraoral scan and jaw registration are then performed by a dental assistant. The splint is fabricated based on functional principles using 3D printing and is usually ready within two days – in acute cases, even on the same day. For me, a splint is a functional regulatory device that stabilizes jaw movements and restores proper function.
How much time does this require in daily practice?
The intraoral scan and jaw registration take about 20 minutes. Including preparation and post-processing of the treatment room, it takes around 30 minutes in total. After that, the room can be used immediately for the next patient – which is a major advantage.
Your conclusion?
As a dentist, I can fully focus on patient consultation and treatment while delegating digital data acquisition to my team. This not only increases efficiency but also motivates the staff, as they take on responsibility and gain additional qualifications. The combination of digital jaw registration, intraoral scanning, and a well-trained team creates a true win-win situation: greater precision, more efficient and cost-effective workflows, and significantly higher patient satisfaction and team motivation.
Thank you very much for the interview and for sharing your successful practice concept.
The interview was conducted by Claudia Gabbert (Nordquadrat PR + Marketing).