Gisela Landreville & Michael Tuckman
Gisela Landreville is the Global Vice President of Marketing at Keystone Dental Group, based in Irvine, California. Keystone Dental is a leader in the dental implant industry known for its innovations, including Paltop Implant Systems. Keystone Dental is committed to advancing dental technologies that improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient care through innovative solutions.
Michael Tuckman is the Founder and Strategic Advisor of Osteon Medical, a subsidiary of Keystone Dental Group headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with satellite manufacturing sites in Irvine, California. Osteon Medical specializes in cutting-edge digital dentistry technologies, including the Nexus iOS system, which is revolutionizing the full-arch rehabilitation process in dental prosthetics.
What key projects are Keystone Dental pursuing to advance digital dentistry, and how do these projects align with the company’s vision for the future of dentistry?
GISELA: At Keystone Dental, we are deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of digital dentistry. One of our key projects is integrating Nexus iOS, a revolutionary full-arch rehabilitation system. Nexus iOS, developed by Osteon Medical, addresses a critical gap in the digital dental prosthetic market by offering unmatched accuracy and ease in full-arch impressions. This all-digital solution is patent-protected and aligns perfectly with our vision for a future where digital solutions streamline and improve the efficiency of dental procedures, offering both precision and a better patient experience. We believe digital dentistry will make dental treatments more accessible, predictable, and less invasive, and Nexus iOS plays a central role in that future.
MICHAEL: That’s right. The Nexus iOS technology, which was created alongside some of the most experienced professionals in the dental implant-prosthetic field, is a game-changer. With our Nexus Scan Gauges and the groundbreaking Nexus Analyzer, we’re helping dental professionals achieve unparalleled accuracy in full-arch rehabilitation.
This product suite is designed to work with existing intraoral scanner hardware, enhancing full-arch workflows, and improving the predictability of patient prosthetics. While Nexus iOS has been a truly innovative solution in the dental market, we’re always improving, preparing for the next evolution. This year, the technology that underpins Nexus iOS will become available to dental laboratories – offering advanced implant data acquisition and prosthetic options to a whole new market. We are eager to share more, but you’ll have to keep up to date with Osteon Medical in the near future.
How do Keystone Dental’s Osteon Medical products improve digital dentistry workflows?
GISELA: Nexus iOS Scan Gauges, when used with intraoral scanners, ensure full-arch digital impressions with unparalleled accuracy. By placing the gauges on the patient’s MUAs (multi-unit abutments) and following the proposed scanning protocol, clinicians can achieve precise scans that make the entire prosthetic design and manufacturing process smoother without requiring a verification jig. The Nexus Analyzer, a critical tool, further simplifies the workflow by analyzing implant scans, providing immediate results while the patient is still in the chair. This saves time and ensures that clinicians never have to second-guess the accuracy of their impressions.
MICHAEL: Exactly. The Nexus iOS system’s integration with intraoral scanning technology is a perfect example of how digital tools can improve dental workflows. After capturing the necessary scans, the Nexus Analyzer uses machine learning models to check scan precision, ensuring that full-arch scans are accurate enough for full-arch titanium bar retained prosthetics. The Nexus Ordering Platform also streamlines the process—dental professionals can log into their Nexus account, submit cases, and approve the designs digitally, simplifying production and eliminating potential errors. Once the case is approved, it’s shipped directly to the practice with a quality guarantee.
“What excites me most is how digital technologies will make dental treatments more predictable, precise, and accessible.”
What are the biggest challenges facing the dental industry in adopting digital technologies, and how is Keystone Dental helping to address these challenges?
GISELA: One of the major challenges in adopting digital technologies is the initial investment and the perceived complexity of transitioning from traditional methods to digital workflows. We understand that dental professionals may feel hesitant about such a transition, so we focus on providing comprehensive support and training. With Nexus iOS, for example, the scanning process is straightforward and integrates with existing intraoral scanning systems, reducing the barrier to adoption. Additionally, our financing options and global customer support help ensure that practices of all sizes can easily embrace digital dentistry.
MICHAEL: Another challenge is the need for digital systems to work together seamlessly. Many dental professionals use various software and tools that don’t always communicate efficiently. Nexus iOS was built with interoperability in mind. It is designed to be open to various scanning systems and is supported by our global network of design studios and laboratories. The Nexus platform is user-friendly, enabling clinicians to confidently move through the scanning, design, and approval stages without feeling overwhelmed by the technology.
How do you see the role of AI and machine learning in the future of digital dentistry?
MICHAEL: AI and machine learning are essential to the future of digital dentistry, and we’re already seeing their impact with the Nexus Analyzer. This tool uses machine learning algorithms to instantly analyze the precision of implant scans during the scanning process, providing real-time feedback and boosting clinician confidence in full-arch rehabilitation. As we continue to advance, AI will become even more integral, helping clinicians make more accurate decisions faster by analyzing data from scans and patient histories. Beyond just enhancing diagnostics, machine learning will streamline both clinical and administrative workflows, allowing dental professionals to focus more on patient care and less on managing complex processes. The future of digital dentistry will likely see AI further elevating the quality, speed, and efficiency of dental treatments.
What excites you most about the future of digital dentistry and its impact on patients?
GISELA: What excites me most is how digital technologies, like Nexus iOS, will make dental treatments more predictable, precise, and accessible. Patients will benefit from faster, less invasive procedures, with fewer visits to the dentist. Technologies like Nexus iOS that ensure the accuracy of full-arch restorations are just the beginning of a larger shift toward patient-centric care. Digital solutions will empower patients with more information, ultimately improving their treatment outcomes and experiences.
MICHAEL: I share that excitement. The future of digital dentistry means patients will see significant improvements in both the efficiency of their treatment and the overall quality of care. With systems like Nexus iOS, full-arch rehabilitation will be simpler, more accurate, and faster. Patients will no longer have to worry about the uncertainty of traditional impressions, as the digital solutions we’re creating ensure the highest levels of precision. We’re on the verge of a future where digital dentistry not only improves clinical outcomes but also transforms the patient experience for the better.