Webinars with Dr. Richard Zimmermann DDS
On-demand webinar
Dr. Richard Zimmermann
Dr. Richard Zimmermann DDS
Dr. Zimmermann graduated from New York College of Dentistry in 1997, after which he entered into the US Navy. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at Norfolk, Naval Base and obtained advanced training in prosthodontics within the Navy. Dr. Zimmermann served as the Navy representative during the early development of the US military electronic dental record, with specific focus in the area of prosthodontics. After serving for nine years in the Navy, he joined the faculty at UT Dental in San Antonio, Texas in 2006. In 2008, Dr. Zimmermann initiated the Implant Surgical selective that provides senior dental students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of dental implants. This course is designed to teach students both the surgical and restorative aspect of dental implants and the impact each area has on the other by allowing the students to perform all aspects of implant therapy. Early on, virtual planning software was utilized to create virtual models that were used to discuss patient anatomy and its influence on implant placement. One of the early rapid prototyping machines (3D printers) was introduced to create scale models for the better visualization of the surgical site and even patient specific simulation of osteotomy preparation. Dr. Zimmermann is now working with the latest evolution of technology – fusion of surface scans to patient dicoms without the need for radiographic markers in order to create printed surgical guides. Dr. Zimmermann was asked in 2011 to spearhead the integration of digital technology in the pre-doctorate clinics at UT Dental. Since then he has been trained and worked with various intra-oral and lab scanners, including the supporting CAD/CAM software and various materials. He has trained numerous lab technicians in utilizing CAD/CAM software for fabrication of zirconia restorations and custom implant abutments. In addition, he has also been responsible for creating the digital infrastructure for virtual laboratory submission that is needed to support the pre-doctorate clinics, which contain approximately 220 student practitioners. Dr. Zimmermann is constantly evaluating emerging technology for both materials and patient treatments. He has published several articles and presented at national meetings on various dental technologies and it’s impact on dentistry. His recent activities have included working with 3M/Straumann in their development of a validated workflow, training post-doctorate residents in the use of software to create of virtual surgical sites, and evaluating CAD/CAM custom abutments and materials.
