Dentaltown January 2014 - (Page 34)

cad/cam message board Impress or Scan... What's the General Consensus? Pros and cons comparing digital scanning with traditional impression systems. Is it time to take the plunge? Dentaltown.com > Message Boards > CAD-CAM and Digital Impression Technologies > Digital Impressions > Impress or Scan... Wasc Member Since: 10/30/11 Post: 1 of 35 What is the average Townie doing? I believe I want to go to scanning. What's the cost vs. impression? Accuracy? n MAY 6 2013 PittmanDentalLab Member Since: 04/25/12 Post: 2 of 35 There are definite advantages to the digital scanning process vs. standard impressions. I can't speak on behalf of the other Townies, but I can give some insight from the lab perspective, and some general stuff we've gathered from our doctors who are using digital impression technology. Cost vs. impression depends on a few variables like the cost of your average impression (chairside time evaluation, products used, remakes, etc.). I know from our other doctors that digital impression taking has lowered their average cost because they are spending less time chairside for impressions, are having assistants take the scans and have had a dramatic decrease in impression failures or needing to retake impressions. Also, you have to account for the increase in patient traffic that can be generated by the scanner. No longer do patients have to deal with typical impression methods. Those who may be put off getting work done or going to other doctors will now come to you in order to enjoy the ease that comes with taking a digital scan. Accuracy - now this is what we, as a lab enjoy the most. We've seen a significant decrease in errors or remakes because of the accuracy of the digital scanning process. Particularly, 3M ESPE's True Definition scanner is extremely accurate and user friendly. We're enjoying the accuracy of these scanners so much, we've reduced the lab turnaround time by around four to five days on standard crown and bridge, and we're offering our doctors a rebate if they purchase the True Def scanner. That's how much digital scanning is changing the industry. It's so accurate that we, the lab, are willing to pay our clients to use the technology. If you need any more information, or more technical information, feel free to reach out to me and I'll get our tech guys on it. Hope this helps! n MAY 15 2013 deanmersky Member Since: 03/03/04 Post: 3 of 35 This is what I know about intra-oral scanning, and what the research says: it is expensive to acquire, but cost has come down and is coming down. It is accurate, but not necessarily more accurate than traditional impressions. It will not work in every situation. Sometimes, it requires a different approach to preparation; not a bad thing, but one that would make properly managed traditional impressions easier and more predictable. Intraoral scanning can be less technique-sensitive than traditional impressions. It will not reduce cost per impression for some practices, might for others (over time). It is a great tool for working with labs and can reduce lab turnaround time. It also has the potential to affect lab AUG 21 2013 continued on page 36 34 JANUARY 2014 » dentaltown.com http://www.Dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown January 2014

New Products
Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: “Go West, Young Man”
Professional Courtesy: A Treatment Plan for Your Practice
Continuing Education Update
Second Opinion: The Value of Patient Engagement and Cost Transparency
Big Case on the Go, Your Input Welcome!
Impress or Scan… What’s the General Consensus?
Corporate Profile: Centrix
The Wish List
Clutter vs. Sanity
Every Case is Unique
I’m So Tired of Her Attitude
Top 12 Best Practices for 2014
Ten Units in Five Hours with a Fast and Easy Milling Material
Seven SEO Strategies to Accelerate New Patient Acquisition
Dentaltown Research: Equipment
You Should Know: GoodMouth
Ad Index
In This Section: Polishing
Perio Reports
Profile in Oral Health: How Subgingival Air Polishing Will Turn Dental Hygiene Upside Down
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown January 2014