Rob Norton talks with Dr. Josh Austin about how digital dentistry tools like iTero, Invisalign, exocad, and 3D printing are transforming the way dentists diagnose, communicate, and treat patients. From boosting case acceptance through visual scanning to enabling more minimally invasive treatment planning, Dr. Austin breaks down how digital workflows are helping practices deliver better outcomes, stronger patient understanding, and more predictable restorative care.

• (00:00:05) - Intro
• (00:01:31) - Early Digital Dentistry: The Scanner
• (00:04:32) - Scanners as Communication Tools
• (00:11:36) - Digital Workflows with Exocad and Evolve
• (00:29:00) - Visualization & Simplifying Treatment Plans
• (00:36:01) - Advanced Scanner Technology
• (00:46:39) - Outro

The Evolution of Dental Podcast welcomes Dr. Adamo “Elvis” Notarantonio, former President of the AACD, educator, and internationally recognized cosmetic dentist, for a conversation about photography, mentorship, and the fundamentals that shape great dentistry. Dr. Notarantonio explains why a simple digital camera may be the most important tool in a dentist’s practice, sharing how photography improves communication with patients, laboratories, and digital workflows. From smile design and treatment planning to documenting clinical progress, he highlights how proper dental photography supports better outcomes in cosmetic dentistry. The discussion also explores the balance between digital dentistry workflows and traditional analog techniques, and why understanding the fundamentals of occlusion, materials, and hand skills remains essential even as dental technology continues to evolve. Dr. Notarantonio also shares his personal journey from professional soccer to dentistry, the mentors who shaped his career, and the lessons he’s learned through AACD accreditation, teaching, and decades of clinical experience. This conversation offers valuable insight for dentists, dental technicians, and anyone interested in digital dentistry workflows, cosmetic dentistry, and the future of dental technology.

• (00:00:06) - Intro
• (00:00:28) - Why Dental Photography Matters
• (00:04:14) - Smile Design, Dental Workflows, and Clinical Precision
• (00:07:11) - Mentorship: Becoming a Better Diagnostician
• (00:12:08) - Teaching, Education, and Learning Through Failure
• (00:15:45) - Digital Dentistry vs Analog Fundamentals
• (00:19:27) - Transformative Cases, Patient Impact, and Clinical Integrity
• (00:26:03) - Emerging Technology in Dentistry
• (00:29:01) - Core Clinical Skills, AACD, and Long-Term Growth Mindset
• (00:33:05) - Composite Artistry, Clinical Skill Development, and ROI
• (00:41:28) - Advice for the Next Generation of Dentists
• (00:45:55) - Outro

Full-arch restorations are one of the most complex workflows in modern dentistry, and one of the easiest to get wrong without proper planning. Rob Norton sits down with Dora Rodrigues, President of ID Dental and a certified exocad trainer specializing in full-arch design. With nearly two decades of experience in full-arch restorations, Dora shares how she transitioned from an analog workflow to a fully digital lab environment. The conversation dives into prosthetic-driven planning, the collaboration required between labs and clinicians, and why full-arch cases demand far more than simply placing implants and designing teeth. Explore how the latest exocad tools including saved tooth positioning, Bridge Gap, and the new split-bar workflow in exocad 3.3, are improving efficiency and helping technicians design smarter, not just faster. Along the way, Dora shares insights from teaching full-arch courses, working chairside during surgeries, and even seeing the patient perspective firsthand. This episode offers practical insight for dental technicians, clinicians, and anyone interested in digital workflows shaping the future of modern dentistry.