Collaboration between dental laboratories and dental offices has a role in the future of the dental industry. Advancement in digital tools and collaborative abilities has increased with advanced dental technology and virtual communication innovations. There is no guarantee that patients will accept a treatment plan. Patients' reluctance to accept treatment is primarily due to their misunderstanding of the problem and its severity. Digital tools can change this issue altogether. Collaborating will help make the scanning and impression-creation process more manageable and efficient. Technology makes it more accessible, and sharing information will help improve outcomes even further. Furthermore, as technology drastically changes, having solid bonds with dental professionals will provide dental teams with the anchor to weather the change of our disruptive mode.
The relationship between the dental laboratory and the dentists' team is unlike most customer-vendor relationships, mainly because their jobs are so interdependent—they must work together effectively as true partners to succeed. The technician can only produce restorations that meet exacting standards if the dental team provides the information to make that possible. They must all be accessible and responsive to execute the treatment plan to the patient's satisfaction efficiently. Those dentist-technician-specialist partners who have achieved a well-honed working relationship prioritize accountability, high professional standards, and the latest technology to facilitate communication. The key to success in patient acceptance of treatment planning is planning. The oral cavity is a susceptible area of the body. Even in pain-free situations, patient anxiety levels can be high. The dental team-patient relationship is the core of dentistry; it is a delicate partnership in which trust and confidence are all essential ingredients. The key to success is to start the process before the problems arise. Know what is possible both physically as well as financially. Overlooking treatment or misdiagnosing can lead to a lack of or unnecessary multiple treatments. Patient management diagnosis and performing a treatment plan are the core of dentistry, creating essential ingredients of confidence and trust.
Dental health care teams provide technologies such as digital scanners, intraoral cameras, CBCT, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, digital diagnostic treatment plans, and more. The problem is not the need for more availability of technologies that can provide these new and innovative tools but instead needing to fully understand and adopt the available ones. Digital Dentistry is now the Gold Standard. It provides the necessary accuracy and efficiency for quality work.
There is a paradigm shift between dental principles.
Dentists are becoming more technical-creating digital scanning impressions, milling crowns in their offices, and 3D printing.
Technicians are becoming more clinical- making surgical guides, creating Digital Diagnostic Smile treatment plans, Sleep Apnea devices, and chairside implant denture conversions.
Specialists are becoming more restorative by placing abutments and temporaries and working with laboratories on surgical guides and Digital Diagnostic Smiles.
Digital Dentistry is an inspiring time with all the new technology available. But there is a learning curve to utilizing all digital dentistry tools. That is why collaboration between dental offices and dental laboratories is essential. With the paradigm shift between dental principals, it is even more crucial we understand each other's part in the digital workflow.
My blog will explore how to make digital dentistry's workflow more efficient, accurate, and predictable. I will give tips and tricks on different scanners, their capabilities, and how to scan multiple implants. We will discuss how materials are changing rapidly, and whether you know what material is in the restorations you put in your patients' mouths. One of IG’s specialties I will write about is the Digital Design Smile and how it is a game changer. Along with how to take shades and great photos for excellent results!
We will also explore issues outside our dental world disrupting and affecting our livelihood.
I look forward to discussing "The Cold Hard Tooth" with you. Please feel free to let me know something on your mind concerning digital dentistry. After all, as I said, after 44 years as a dental laboratory owner, I have much knowledge to share.
Smiles, until next time,
Lonni President/Founder Image Gallery 5156 Blazer Pkwy Suite 110 Dublin, Ohio 43017 614-889-2311