“Our goal from the very outset has been to set standards and protocols in modern dentistry and to be pioneers in introducing cutting-edge technologies,” says MND Dental owner Dr Nataša Mratinković
As a dentist who has introduced many innovative methods and technologies to Serbia from abroad, Dr Nataša Mratinković reveals how it is today possible to achieve straight teeth and a beautiful smile in the fastest and easiest way. She is the owner and founder of MND Dental, a pioneer in digital dentistry in Serbia and a great person to interview on the topics of dental health, beauty and trends, as well as the importance of lifelong education.
MND Dental was founded in 2010 as the successor to the Dr Đurić Practice, which was one of the first private dental clinics of its kind in Belgrade. What vision did you have in embarking on this exciting journey?
— MND Dental came as a natural continuation of a family tradition. In the early 1990s, the Dr Đurić Practice was among the first to offer private dental services in Belgrade, at a time when private clinics were rare.
When I took over the business in 2010, I founded MND Dental with a clear vision: to merge tradition with innovation and set standards and protocols in modern dentistry. We wanted to take the lead in introducing modern technologies, while retaining the warmth and personalised approach to each patient, which has always been a hallmark of our clinic. However, we couldn’t have imagined how quickly dentistry would change with the emergence and development of digitalisation.
Dentistry today is very different compared to when you started, but one constant remains: everyone dreams of healthy teeth and a Hollywood smile. Have scientific advances made that easier to achieve today?
— Absolutely! At the start of my career, many things that we now view as standard (digital X-rays, 3D scanners, Invisalign aligners, software for X-ray analysis and orthodontic treatment planning) were just visions of the future. However, patients’ desires have remained the same and still relate to properly aligned teeth and a captivating smile. With digital planning, we are now able to communicate much more easily with patients, and they have a better understanding of what needs to be done to achieve our common goal. Not only is the treatment faster and more precise, it is also less invasive and more comfortable for the patient.
One example of this is Invisalign aligners, which allow us to discreetly straighten teeth and bites thanks to the smart track technology used in their design. Their software also provides us with 95% predictability of the treatment and the future appearance of the smile.
You will soon mark 10 years since you started working with digital dentistry. What does that term actually mean?
— Digital dentistry has brought a revolution not only in the way we work, but also in the way we think. And what’s most important for the patient is the predictability of their smile. Instead of traditional impressions, today we use 3D scanners to precisely record teeth and jaw relationships.
With digital planning, we now communicate much more easily with patients, and they have a better understanding of what needs to be done to achieve our common goal
With the software we possess, we create the design of prosthetic restorations (CAD CAM) and we mill crowns, veneers and bridges with incredible precision, using special machines. Digitalisation has additionally improved the speed of X-ray analysis. Although it may seem simple and straightforward, these advances require us to constantly educate ourselves and keep abreast of innovations in this rapidly developing field.
You have often been the first in Serbia to bring the latest treatments from around the world. Behind this is the well-known female curiosity, but also professional ambition.
— A combination of curiosity and professional ambition is the key to success. However, I must point out that, in addition to that, the support of Banca Intesa and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Fund proved crucial for us. They recognised the seriousness of our company and helped us achieve the goals we set for ourselves. I will never forget when my business advisor came to see what we wanted to purchase for the clinic and it wasn’t a dental chair – he struggled to understand what a 3D scanner was.
We can today state with pride that we are among the few clinics in Serbia, if not the only one, to work with the complete Cerec system, as well as the Itero 5D+ scanner, which are currently the two best and most precise 3D scanners, with the most renowned software for designing teeth. This process of innovation is developing very quickly and constantly pushes us to acquire new knowledge.
We previously discussed treatments for straightening teeth in children and adults. Are these therapies still the most sought-after at MND Dental, or is there something more advanced and attractive?
— Teeth straightening treatments remain the most sought-after, but that increase is unfortunately due to the rise in anomalies caused by improper breathing, chewing and swallowing functions. Invisalign is currently the world’s leading brand that allows us to begin correcting anomalies even in mixed dentition. In addition to teeth straightening treatments, there is increased interest in minimally invasive aesthetic corrections, such as teeth whitening, ceramic and composite veneers, which can greatly enhance a smile and boost patient confidence.
You have completed numerous training courses, such as Alexander Discipline – Dr Alexander Wick, Lumineers, Modern Functional Orthodontics, Implant Academy – Secrets of All-On-4… Is there no progress without continuous education?
— There is no progress in any field without continuous education, especially in dentistry, which is developing rapidly, particularly in the area of materials that must meet aesthetic and biocompatibility standards. Each of these training courses has enriched us and enabled us to provide our patients with the highest quality services. Lumineers training allowed us to be pioneers in that method of veneer fabrication. That was 20 years ago, at the Balkan Congress of Dentists in Skopje, while I am now, coincidentally, going back to Skopje to take advantage of the visit of Dr Michael Schneider from California to exchange experiences regarding the most sought-after aesthetic service in dentistry: ceramic veneers.
Each new training course opens doors to new possibilities. If we were to stop learning, we would stop progressing, and that is not an option for our clinic. Our goal is for MND Dental to be synonymous with modern and reliable dentistry; a place where patients can receive the latest, most effective and minimally invasive treatments.