With so many digital dental workflow innovations on the market, how do you choose which ones to bring in-house? It’s important to evaluate the role that the technology will play both in your practice and in your relationship with patients. For my practice, in addition to substantial time and cost savings, the ROI from incorporating a chairside milling solution has included increased patient satisfaction and referrals.
Deciding factor
The deciding factor for my inclusion of a DGSHAPE DWX-42W chairside dental milling solution in my dental practice was control. There were many reasons for adding digital milling technology, but control over my milled production topped my list, especially when COVID hit. The ability to have full management and manipulation of each aspect of my restorations was the main result I was after, but what followed was even better: the ability to try various designs before milling, which allowed me to improve my clinical dentistry exponentially.
ROI impact
Chairside milling has positively impacted several areas of my practice. We’ve become much more efficient since we can now prep, mill, and insert restorations in one appointment, reducing the time and cost that used to be involved in a second-appointment insert. The quality of our restorations has also improved since I have full control of shape, esthetics, and, most importantly, occlusion, thereby reducing time spent on adjusting and repolishing. Lab costs have also been significantly reduced and often eliminated since we not only mill in-house, but also use 3D printing for printing models, nightguards, appliances, and orthotics, as well as occasionally dies and prep models. Integrating milling and 3D printing for various restorative cases not only massively reduces lab costs, it also helps me save and make money in many other ways.
Patient impact
I think the best part of having the DWX-42W in my practice is that it gives me a tremendous opportunity to show patients how much we are always learning and doing to keep improving. When I get to tell and show a patient all the details and specifics that go into fabricating their restoration, they become much more educated and appreciative of what we do, as well as more aware of the costs involved. When someone sees the level of technology, education, and skill needed to fabricate a crown, bridge, or veneer from start to finish, they no longer question the fee. They also genuinely appreciate the time, effort, and resources involved in restoring their teeth.
Practice impact
The DGSHAPE DWX-42W was a game-changer for my practice and my patients. Not only can we deliver most restorations chairside in one visit, we can do so in much less time than ever before. We save time because we no longer have to temporize, or manage local anesthetic again, not to mention addressing inadequate fit or other reasons for a remake. In addition, the new restoration workflow has elevated our patients’ view of our office and resulted in amazing word-of-mouth referrals.
Keeping it fresh
Overall, without constantly working to improve my practice and adding technology like chairside milling, I believe I would have left dentistry to do something else a long time ago. Dentistry challenges us daily, not only with its typical business and clinical issues, but emotionally and mentally as well. If I weren’t excited about coming into the office every day and addressing my patients’ needs with the most effective and efficient tools on the market, I don’t think I could have stayed in dentistry as long as I have. It’s made the biggest difference.
Editor's note: This article originally appeared in DE Weekend, the newsletter that will elevate your Sunday mornings with practical and innovative practice management and clinical content from experts across the field. Subscribe here.
Agatha Bis, DDS, has more than 25 years of clinical experience creating beautiful and healthy smiles. She offers a unique approach to dentistry, blending modern dental practices with the use of digital technology to optimize health outcomes. With thousands of hours in postgraduate training, Dr. Bis has a unique focus and expertise in treating temporomandibular disorders and providing options in restorative dentistry. Dr. Bis has helped numerous patients resolve chronic and debilitating dental challenges.
