It was a cold stormy day in Chicago at the 1997 Midwinter, but I was very excited! I was entering Digital Dental where I purchased my first CAD / CAM system to make the day's restoration. My plan is to reduce laboratory costs and overhead while providing a convenient, high quality product to my patients and practice - a "win-win" situation in the proverb.
In fact, I reduced my cost of experimentation and used my improved cash flow to fund my dream office and building. However, CAD / CAM equipment and materials 20 years ago, there are some shortcomings. After a great deal of effort, study and hard work, I provided a good repair for the patient, but I wanted the quality of the laboratory, and we have not got there yet.
With today's dental equipment and materials, our best dentistry can be done in a digital environment, either by sending digital impressions through the lab or in the lab, or doing the same day in a dental clinic. The result of laboratory quality has arrived.
In the practice of my two doctors, I have three digital systems, because it is not enough! Every day I use the Planmeca FIT system to produce bridges, crowns, finishes and inlays on the same day. I also send Planmeca digital cases to my dental laboratory. My TRIOS 3Shape scanner excels at full scanning and communication with my lab because it scans the true colors of HD (high definition) photos.
Since I digitized, my staff has kept very well. Once people have access to digital workflow, they are reluctant to return to pen-based dental treatment. My assistant likes to design and make a crown. They are energetic and see their crown of solidification in their patients' mouths, especially when they praise the good work of the staff. Dental assistants now have the ability to master digital impressions, digital designs, and even tinting and glazing to create a beautiful restoration.
Once people have access to digital workflow, they are reluctant to return to pen-based dental treatment.
One of the best ways to increase the return on your investment with the Planmeca FIT system is to continue the learning process. A single posterior crown is produced, and my approach to bread and butter dentistry is just about to be done. Learning to produce ivory dentistry and converting a large posterior composite restoration to a high coverage area can boost hourly productivity and increase office productivity. Continuing Education Courses Expansion of your skills is now available, including the production of interior decorating, crowns and bridges.
My assistant made me crown almost all the implants. We started with implant-driven implants, planned our CBCT cases, and used surgical guidance to optimize placement when needed. Placing most implants myself, I can plan to use a screw-on implant crown from the outset whenever possible.
The front Emax bridge we produce does not require internal delamination. In strange cases, however, the dental technician still needs access and we submit the digital files to our laboratory.
One of the most significant things I do is a single front crown. By offering different box options and custom stains on the chair, I can consistently produce more aesthetically pleasing end results in an appointment instead of working with the lab. The only way to repeat the chair's result is by going to the lab for a custom dye appointment. Everything I did on a visit required at least three visits to the lab: an impression and a temporary appointment, another custom coloring in the lab, and three more times in my office, if all went well. My patient likes to make disposable front crowns / veneers; this is a fantastic practice builder!
I have a vision for a long time, creating a digital record of all my patients. 3Shape TRIOS is releasing this feature soon, and it's already integrated with Dentrix! This will be part of the patient's profile, enabling us to compare present conditions with future conditions. Periodontal degeneration, wear surfaces, broken teeth and fillings, and tooth movement can be measured and recorded resulting in better diagnosis.
In summary:
Now use digital dentistry to build your future.Dental supplies technology has matured so that we can provide the best care.
Use digital technology to offset the ever-increasing cost of production while being charged by insurers.
Inspire your office. Your new technology will make employees and patients feel excited. Digital offices are growing faster than usual.
If worried about affordability, ask Henry Shain to practice analysis - the numbers are not a lie.
I can not wait to see what else is there. I will see you in the digital future!
