By Simone Bandini
From individual procedures to designing a complete treatment plan: how contemporary dentistry has changed through technology, expertise, and a holistic view of the patient. We discuss this with Dr. Mauro Billi and Dr. Laura Ilari of “Studio di Ortodonzia Specialistica Billi.”
Valley Life: Your practice covers every branch of dentistry. It has been a trusted resource in the area for many years, with particular expertise and a special focus on complex cases. What does practicing dentistry mean today?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: First and foremost, it means taking a holistic view of the patient. Contemporary dentistry cannot focus solely on treating an individual tooth: function, health, tissues, aesthetics, inclusion, and facial features all need to be assessed together. An important treatment plan begins with a thorough diagnosis and a comprehensive plan; only then do we decide on the most appropriate procedures to achieve the desired outcome. To borrow from an old way of thinking about work, it has been many years since we practiced dentistry on demand; we now offer it only by recommendation. Let me explain: patients come in with specific requests or because they are in pain. Once the “urgent” problem has been resolved, we assess their dental health using appropriate X-rays and carefully explain the treatment they should undergo to regain their oral health. The patient can then decide whether or not to accept it.
Valley Life: That’s a modern concept, but an ethical one too…
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: Exactly – ethical, too. Because when a professional simply fulfils a request, they can always say, “The patient asked for it; we just did what they wanted.” We, on the other hand, care about the patient’s overall health. That’s why we recommend a course of treatment and take full responsibility for it, guiding the patient through the process of understanding their health. In this way, we can also explain and stand behind our medical perspective on health.
Valley Life: Let’s start with what we can now say is the treatment of choice for restoring chewing function: dental implantology. How has it changed compared with the past?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: It has changed profoundly. In the past, implantology was often viewed as nothing more than a surgical procedure: an implant was placed where a tooth was missing, and only afterward did anyone think about the prosthesis—with often questionable aesthetic results. Today, the process is much more integrated, since the implant is planned with the future prosthetic restoration, the quality and quantity of bone, the soft tissues, and aesthetics in mind. Digital planning and three-dimensional diagnostic tools also make it possible to study the patient’s anatomy in advance and plan surgery with a degree of precision that was once impossible.
Valley Life: One of your practice’s specialties is treating complex cases. What actually makes a case complex?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: Complexity does not depend on the number of implants. A case may be complex because of significant bone loss—even when only one tooth is missing—or because of the condition of the soft tissues, periodontal problems, or aesthetic requirements. The aim is to restore function and aesthetics that have been lost for a long time. In these cases, the real challenge is bringing together multiple areas of expertise and developing a coherent treatment strategy. In my view, that is precisely why one of the most interesting aspects of modern dentistry is that there is no single procedure that solves everything; instead, it requires a course of treatment in which different disciplines must work together. If all these disciplines are available under one roof, that is a significant added value.
Valley Life: Is it fair to say that implant surgery has become less invasive?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: Certainly. Advances in diagnostics and digital technology make it possible to perform fewer invasive procedures that are more streamlined and precise. But careful analysis is essential beforehand: the question is whether the patient is a suitable candidate for this approach. Today, for example, we can plan implants to be placed at the same time as teeth are extracted—a practice that was not used in the past—and even have the patient leave the practice with a “temporary” restoration that provides immediate function and aesthetics. But these protocols are not suitable for every patient: case selection remains essential. Technology allows us to do more, but it does not eliminate the need for an accurate diagnosis and clinical experience.
Valley Life: And there’s a risk here, too…
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: Yes. Today, technology can make it possible for “anyone to do anything,” including people with little experience. That does not always work in the patient’s favor. What distinguishes optimal treatment from treatment destined to fail is the practitioners’ experience and ability to handle and resolve complications effectively as they arise. Technology alone is not enough. High-quality dentistry still needs skilled hands guided by a sharp mind.
Valley Life: Your practice also pays particular attention to aesthetics. How important is it in implant treatment?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: It is essential, but it should not be considered separately from function; it is part of the treatment plan. A natural-looking result must harmonize with the face, the lips, the neighboring teeth, and the gum tissue. It must also last over time, which means it needs to be stable and functional. In more complex cases, we try to plan everything by first visualizing the result we want to achieve, then working backward. We begin with the desired outcome and determine how to reach it, checking whether the biological conditions and capabilities are in place. Today, it is very important to understand that we no longer simply place an implant—we plan a full-mouth rehabilitation.
Valley Life: How important is technology?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: It matters a great deal, but it must be used properly. Intraoral scanners, three-dimensional diagnostics, digital photography, and CAD/CAM design allow us to gather far more information than ever before. Technology lets us see, measure, simulate, and plan. But we must remember that it is a tool: its value comes from the professional’s ability to interpret the data and turn it into the right clinical decision. I believe the dentistry of the future will become increasingly technological, while also relying more and more on experience and the ability to tailor treatment to each patient. Data does not replace the interpretation of data.
Valley Life: Your practice offers treatment in all the major branches of dentistry. Why did you choose this model?
Dr. Ilari: Because patients are not divided into specialties. A patient with a complex problem may have surgical, periodontal, restorative, prosthetic, and aesthetic needs at the same time. Bringing different areas of expertise together in a single treatment plan makes it possible to coordinate decisions more effectively and avoid having each specialist work in isolation without a holistic view. Our goal is to create a unified plan centered on the patient.
Valley Life: You have also introduced aesthetic medicine for the face. How does it fit into the concept of dentistry?
Dr. Ilari: We see it as a complement to treatment, not as a separate field. The smile is an integral part of facial harmony. When we carry out a significant aesthetic rehabilitation, it is natural to consider the relationship between the teeth, lips, soft tissues, and face. Perioral aesthetic medicine, when indicated, can help enhance this harmony through targeted, proportionate treatments. Our guiding principle, however, is naturalness: not to change the face, but to enhance its balance.
Valley Life: So, what is your vision of modern dentistry?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: For us, it means moving beyond simply performing a procedure to presenting a complete treatment plan. It means using all available technology without becoming dependent on it, paying attention to biology as well as technique, and above all considering the long-term outcome. It means remembering that behind every case is a person with expectations, needs, and characteristics entirely different from those of any other patient.
Valley Life: If you had to sum up your practice’s philosophy in one sentence, what would you say?
Dr. Ilari and Dr. Billi: We would say this: we do not just treat a tooth; we plan for the long-term health, function, and aesthetics of the smile. Ultimately, this captures the evolution of dentistry in recent years: from individual procedures to the design of oral health.
Info: Studio Ilari & Billi, Via Achille Grandi 10/F, Città di Castello (Pg) / Tel: 075 8522066 / 380 7952423 / www.studioilaribilli.it / studioilaribilli@gmail.com