Gaining experience and continuing education for the benefit of patients 

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry from Mahidol University, Dr. Thanaphol Numanoi pursued further education in Prosthodontics. He recognized that restoring teeth, oral tissues, as well as the face and jaw, could help patients live more comfortably and improve the aesthetics of their oral health. Currently, Dr. Thanaphol is also a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Dentistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Prasarnmit Campus. 

“Fitting dentures is like introducing something foreign into the body to replace the missing parts. If it’s not done well or if one doesn’t truly understand the process, it can end up damaging the remaining teeth and gums instead of helping. That’s why I keep studying and keeping up with new knowledge and techniques. I learn from mistakes, but above all, the most important things are the right mindset and a good intention. These are what help produce good results that patients can feel and appreciate.” 

Caring for patients like family 

Since his studies, Dr. Thanaphol has always been taught to treat every patient as if they were his own parents or relatives. This principle has become his guiding philosophy, ensuring that his work is always done with care and attention. 

“I always explain treatment plans clearly and make sure that the patient and the dentist are on the same page. If a patient—whether it’s my mother or a relative—doesn’t fully understand, I make the extra effort to find a way to explain things so that they are satisfied with the outcome. I approach my work with love and care. I view every day as an opportunity to care for a relative, with warmth and kindness. Patients treat me like family, and I reciprocate with the same care. This has made my work fulfilling and successful.” 

Adapting to technology while choosing what’s best for patients 

Dr. Thanaphol continues to follow traditional treatment methods because his happiness comes from improving his patients’ well-being and quality of life. However, he also believes in embracing new technology that benefits patients. For example, modern advancements in Prosthodontics have introduced CAD/CAM technology, which greatly facilitates the production of dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, and fillings. 

“We now use CAD/CAM technology to improve accuracy and efficiency in our work. It helps us create better-fitting dental restorations with minimal adjustments. For crowns, we use Zirconia in over 90% of cases, with some Full Metal crowns. For the front teeth, we prefer Zirconia or Lithium Disilicate. More than half of our work is now done using Zirconia or CAD/CAM because it provides better fit and less need for adjustments.” 

He believes that the future of dentistry will be digital, with tools like Oral Scanners, CBCT Scans, and CAD/CAM becoming standard. 

“As technology improves, if we don’t keep up, even what we think is standard could fall behind. That’s why it’s essential to embrace the new era of Digital Dentistry.”