Orthotown Jan/Feb 2015 - (Page 34)

laboratory // feature Digital Impression Scanners and the Modern Laboratory Scanning Beneﬁts and Workﬂow Improvements By James Bonham O ver the past two decades, digital technology has revolutionized orthodontics. Advancements like digital photography, software for paperless practice management and imaging, digital radiographs, digital study models, and CBCT 3D imaging have completely changed how orthodontists operate on a daily basis. These technologies have been home runs because they save time, advance diagnostics and greatly improve the patient experience. The latest technology game changer in orthodontics promises similar success: welcome digital impressions. Digital impression systems are revolutionizing the specialty of orthodontics. Very few technologies deliver such meaningful benefits to all three important components of a practice-doctors, staff members and patients. Not only have digital impressions improved the experience for the "big three" listed above, but additionally have revolutionized the modern orthodontic laboratory. An orthodontic lab that truly adopts digital technology will implement more process changes going digital than it has implemented over the previous 30 years. Any laboratory can claim the term digital if they buy a 3D printer to receive and print digital impression files. However, only a few advanced digital labs have taken the technology to the next level. These forward-thinking laboratories have become experts with technologies such as computer-aided design software, subtractive milling and additive printing. Sophisticated technology has been implemented throughout the lab, finding new ways to improve orthodontic practice efficiency and overall appliance quality. The modern digital orthodontic lab can also help orthodontists by reviewing patient scans, offering pearls to improve the staff member's scanning technique and assisting with the digital-impression practice-implementation process. Many orthodontists already own a digital impression system, but have yet to reap the benefits of implementing it across their practice. This high-tech investment often sits in the corner, getting very little use outside the occasional aligner scan. This is probably not the re- 34 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 // orthotown.com turn on investment orthodontists originally had in mind. Maybe they have been too busy to truly implement the technology, or perhaps they are just not aware of the time and money savings, the appointment reductions, the appliance quality improvements and marketing potential that their scanning system offers. If this is the case, it's time to partner with an experienced digital lab and optimize their investment. Orthodontists who have done this are saving valuable time and money, improving the patient experience, and becoming more marketable as a high-tech practice. Digital impression technology will improve case acceptance, optimize workflow, eliminate impression redundancy, reduce the number of required appointments and produce precision-fit custom lab appliances. Below, let's review these benefits of digital impressions in an orthodontic practice Improved case acceptance Today's generation loves technology and associates it with quality, so use your digital scanner to help sell your high-tech office. Take advantage of this marketing moment and show off your scanner during the patient's pre-exam office tour. When patients and parents understand that the scanner eliminates gagging by replacing the goop from traditional impressions, you've just moved one step closer to treatment acceptance. Digital scanning also allows the doctor to review treatment options immediately in most patients. Once the scan is achieved, post-orthodontic treatment scenarios can be simulated at the consultation. Parents truly appreciate scanning technology and its improvement in patient comfort and efficiency. Optimize workﬂow for laboratory appliances Workflow improvements between the practice and the lab will reduce the appliance turnaround time by as many as five days. Inbound mail is eliminated because digital models upload directly to the lab immediately after acquisition. The lab can often print the http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown Jan/Feb 2015

Orthotown.com Highlights
Embrace Progress: Greetings from Your New Editorial Director
Orthotown Welcomes New Advisory Board Member
Mouthguards for Patients in Orthodontic Treatment
A Dental Class II Case with Severe Crowding Treated with Self-Ligating Brackets
Digital Case Processing in the Laboratory: How It Works
Another Class III Case
Digital Impression Scanners and the Modern Laboratory: Scanning Benefi ts and Workfl ow Improvements
Ortho Townie Choice Awards 2014
Ad Index
Five Common Web Design Mistakes

Orthotown Jan/Feb 2015