Quality and Cost Savings for the Laboratory
September 1, 2022
Volume 13, Issue 9, September 2022
Page(s): p. 28
Ben Topaz
The leading manufacturers now make scanning full dentures possible. That is exciting because a fully digital workflow can then be implemented. Currently, all scanners can be utilized for crown-and-bridge and implants, but options for partials or full-arches are limited. The better the technology and software become, the more digital the workflow can be.
Another feature I really like is when a scanner's software approves or rejects scans for us. We know anything we get from those scanners will work, so we do not need to inspect each scan and contact the dentist when one is not sufficient.
Look at monthly fees and licenses. Some are more expensive than others, which impacts the bottom line. Additionally, some scanners have disposable sleeves, whereas others require the purchase of a replacement for the mirror approximately every 150 scans, so the cost of those must be considered, along with disinfecting the wand in between scans. Some software programs allow the dentist to mark their own margins, whereas others do not. Different solutions may be best for each dentist's workflow.
ROI can be difficult for a dentist to justify because they are primarily saving only on impression materials. More financial benefits exist for the laboratory, which can save on shipping, models, and remakes. For my laboratory, the math adds up to a strong ROI when I purchase scanners for my dentists. I have also found that providing a scanner to a dentist typically increases our volume for that office by 30%.
Proper training and technique remain important. A scanner is not a magic wand; whatever the dentist sees on the screen is what we see. If they cannot see the margins, I will not be able to see them; if the bite is open, it will be open on the crown. Using a scanner correctly requires practice, so I suggest starting with single crowns for the first 3 to 4 weeks before advancing to 3-unit bridges and finally partials and full arches.
Ben Topaz is President of Golden Ceramic Dental Lab in Prospect Heights, Illinois.
