On our Forum we often receive question like the ones posted below:

I feel like I am supposed to have a scanner in the lab but not sure how I will benefit. Is there something I am missing ?. Could someone who is digitally enlightened please pass on the benefits/changes a scanner has made for their lab.
Cheers jeff


I’ve gave it much thought………especially since I just sent a 6-unit lava case to Milling Center
Much like being able to press to metal with e.max, I’d like that option. If you really hate waxing (which I don’t) you could always scan all your stuff and have them all printed for casting. Zirconia abutments on all anteriors (I’d bet it would be cheaper than ordering regular abutments if you scanned them yourself). At this time for me, I still enjoy waxing and am not half bad at it, therefore I don’t spend hours metal finishing. Maybe if I start doing more implants (which is beginning), larger span cosmetic bridges, and really don’t have the time to wax then I might consider the scanner, till then……….

We thought that it is time to respond  to these questions:

If this is the way your think then your situation is the most common situation among lab technicians. You are squeezed between low demand from your dentist and technological advances. Your action to wait is an expected respond of the businessman operating in the recession environment.

However, lack of demand during recessions usually forces reduction of business cost. Beside all proven clinical benefits of CAD/CAM its main advantage is actually lower cost of production. To understand that you need to look at the new production process which shaping up in the industry. Craftwork of small dental laboratory is slowly being replaced by combination of Milling Centers and Chairside Manufacturing. Yes there are still processes which remain in the hands of lab technician, but even that will eventually be automated.

Will it happen tomorrow, next month or in a year? We can only guess. However, I’ve heart that in Germany CAD/CAM adaptation rate is close to 90%. Labs are not looking for dental scanners any longer but replacing software for one which is functionally richer; the one which can deliver implant work and provide dynamic occlusal morphology.
What can we learn from that? It seems that simple cases can be done in the dental office and more complex are send out to Milling Center. Hence, if you are not planning to retire in the next few years gaining in-depth CAD/CAM experience maybe vital for your business.

Even though current CAD software practically automates crown and coping design, design of multi-unit bridge on implant requires deep understanding of CAD/CAM technologies and software proficiency. And it takes time to perfect it.

Take control of your design it will provide you with numerous benefits:

1. Increased service offering
2. Lower turnaround times
3. Higher quality
4. Lower cost

But what about demand?
Chinese built Shanghai before it became business capital of China. When their were asked about demand the answer was “Build it and they will come”.

In conclusion I have a few questions to ask:

1. Is your doctor aware about new materials you might be able to offer or new technological know how you have which allow him to provide new services to his patients?
2. Can you offer these services to other dentists?

Survival of the fittest or in today’s word is all about knowledge and speed.

3do Medical | CAD CAM Solutions for Dental Industry