Renee Knight is a freelance writer and editor who's been covering the dental industry for 15 years. 

Renee Knight

Most general dentists would rather not add dentures to their list of services. Not only are the multiple appointments they require time-consuming, they’re also not very profitable. And for dental labs, it can be a stretch to make the finances make sense when offering high-quality dentures.

	Ultimately, this makes it difficult for patients to find a general dentist who can deliver the high-quality dentures they need at a price that won’t put a huge dent in their pocketbook.  

	The good news? Digital dentures are changing this. Switching from analog to digital techniques can cut the number of appointments from five to two or three, while also helping to ensure patients walk away with beautiful, natural-looking dentures that actually fit. Patients get the removable prosthetics they need to enjoy a better quality of life, dentists have the opportunity to offer another practice-building service and labs can create beautiful dentures efficiently and cost-effectively.

	Still not sure digital dentures are right for you? Here are the top five ways incorporating this evolving technology will change your business for the better.

	Up next: How digital dentures can lead to growth ...

	These days, edentulous patients typically go to a specialist when they need dentures-and that can be pretty expensive. Most patients would much rather turn to their general practitioner to get the work done if possible. They’re already comfortable there, and don’t want the hassle of making multiple visits to another office. Adding cost-effective digital dentures saves everyone time, and represents another revenue-producing service you can offer your patients in-house.  

	While every digital denture option is different, typically the dentist makes the clinical records and then fills out a prescription for the lab. From there, the lab digitizes those records and submits them to the company for digital design. During the process, the lab can modify the design and then send a 3D image of the denture to the dentist for review before it’s milled. The entire process usually can be finished in two appointments, though there are dentists who still ask patients to come in for the third try-in visit.

	Looking for other options? Some companies are creating denture design modules as add-ons in their CAD software, making it possible to print or mill digital dentures. Others are developing proprietary impression trays that take impressions and bite registrations all in one step. The point is, if you want to implement digital dentures into your practice, dental manufacturers are working to make the process seamless.

	Not quite ready to go completely digital, but still want to reap the benefits these dentures provide? No problem. Dentists can create the initial impressions just as they always had, and then switch to the digital process by designing and milling the final prosthesis from digital software. And labs can pull digital files into existing digital workflows. So while you don’t get the benefit of fewer appointment times, you still can create a better denture at a lower price point for patients.

	Digital dentures take less time to fabricate than traditional dentures, allow for fewer appointments, are more cost-effective, fit better and are more lifelike. The list of benefits just goes on and on. Here’s one that might be a little unexpected: They’re also easy to replicate. If patients lose or damage their denture, you can use the digital data that’s on file to create a removable prosthetic that’s exactly like the original.

	And of course, the technology will continue to evolve, making the process even more seamless and predictable in the future. The advancements are coming rapidly, so don’t be surprised to see more companies getting involved with digital dentures. That means dentists and labs will have even more options to choose from, and more techniques available to make implementing this technology even easier than it is today.

	Improved communication between dentist and lab

	Not only do digital dentures eliminate some of the back and forth that often happens between dentists and labs during the process, reducing the chance for error, it also improves the quality of the final product. It’s difficult to find talented removable denture technicians these days. As they retire, younger computer-savvy technicians with a different set of skills are taking their place. These technicians are more comfortable working with computers than models, making a digital workflow a much better fit.

	While the digital option is relatively new, it’s changing the way the industry looks at denture fabrication. They’re no longer a time-consuming task that dentists want to avoid. Today, more dentists are starting to see them as a practice builder, as well as an opportunity to offer their patients a more durable, esthetic denture that will give them their smile back and improve their quality of life.
	 

Articles

Technology is changing the way the industry looks at denture fabrication.

Top 5 reasons to offer digital dentures in 2017

Top 5 Reasons to Offer Digital Dentures in 2017

	About four months ago, Dr. Larry Marks of Advanced Smile Solutions began using the Prosthetic-Driven Implant Planning module from Carestream Dental to more predictably place implants.

	The module gives him the ability to marry full-arch scans from his CS 8100 3D extraoral imaging system and digital impressions taken with his CS 3600 intraoral scanner-virtually eliminating any guesswork from the procedure. 

	Here’s what he had to say about how the module has improved implant placement in his two Florida-based practices. 

How do you use this implant-planning module in your practice? 

	We use the CS 8100 3D for diagnostic purposes to see how much bone is available in areas of interest for placing implants. Then we use the digital scanner to scan the upper and lower jaw. The new module merges the two together so we can see the 3D photograph of the patient’s gum tissue and teeth superimposed on the CBCT scan. In the areas where the patient is missing teeth, we can use the virtual library to place teeth where they would ideally go in the arch. This helps us develop a plan to properly place the implants. 

	When you look at this information segmentally without seeing it in one image, it can be very easy to look at the jaw bone, plan to place the implant and then find the implant is in the wrong position. All the information in the image we’re now able to generate allows us to plan where the implant needs to be for the best long-term prognosis.

Trending article: How the CS 3600 intraoral scanner can improve your patient experience

What are the main benefits of using this module? 

	In the past, implant placement required a lot of guesswork and often came with unwelcome surprises. I’m a risk-averse person and can do without those kind of revelations. With all the information in one package, you know ahead of time where everything is going to go. This is wonderful technology to have at our disposal. Because we know what to expect, we can have the tools we need at hand during the procedure, lowering the cost of doing business. So in some respect, it’s a profit maker for dentists.

	For the patient, it’s predictability. For any patient going through any procedure, the fear of the unknown is what causes the most anxiety. Using this module, I can show them exactly what needs to be done and why. And the procedure is shorter because you’re not guessing and looking around trying to find what you need. 

	Using this module also helps improve case acceptance by making patients more aware of what’s available to them. It becomes easier for patients to make a proper decision regarding treatment. 

Trending article: Carestream Dental introduces CS Solutions for Implants

	When you’re able to show patients what you’re attempting to do using their information rather than a model, it’s a lot more meaningful. Having as much information in front of you as possible, and information that’s readily understood by the layperson, makes the journey with the patient much easier. You’re more successful because the level of communication is increased many fold.

One dentist’s take on the benefits this module provides both his patients and his practice

Using the Prosthetic-Driven Implant Planning Module from Carestream Dental

	Dr. Ryan Slaten grew up around dentistry. Both his parents are dentists, and he knew from a young age that he not only wanted to follow in their footsteps, but that he wanted to change the way patients perceive visiting the dentist. He knew if he could reduce common dental anxieties, he could ensure patients get the care they need. 

	That’s exactly why he invested in the Solea computer-aided, CO

 laser system from Convergent Dental. The Solea makes it possible for him to provide reliably anesthesia-free dentistry, making patients more comfortable accepting treatment, while also bringing many benefits to the practice. 

	What Dr. Slaten says about the Solea laser

	The Solea wasn’t my first dental laser. I frequently used a diode laser for soft tissue procedures but was never really satisfied with the results. I wanted a laser that could do more than ablate soft tissue. I knew if I could find an all-tissue laser solution it would dramatically change my patients’ experience. 

	During my search, I was introduced to Solea, Convergent Dental’s CO

 9.3 micron dental laser, and was amazed by the technology. Unlike other all-tissue dental lasers, Solea allows dentists to cut any tissue without changing any settings. It’s as simple as turning Solea on, directing the beam at the desired tissue and stepping on the variable speed foot pedal. 

	The one-setting-fits-all-approach has significantly increased efficiency in my office and, most importantly, Solea’s ease of use has enabled me to reliably perform anesthesia-free, blood-free, suture-free and pain-free procedures. Solea has brought many benefits, but the best part is when I see the look of amazement on a patient’s face after I’ve finished a procedure without using anesthesia.

	I’ve never seen another dental technology like Solea. Since we began using Solea, fewer patients cancel their appointments because they’re fearful, increasing production and reducing the downtime that comes with cancellations and no-shows. Referrals are also up, with more happy patients telling their family and friends about the great experience they had at our practice. 

	The Solea has contributed enormously to practice growth. The practice has seen 20 percent annual growth and an average of 55 new patient referrals per month, and I attribute that to the Solea. I’ve even had to hire a new associate to keep up with the patient demand. 

	Solea’s effect on my practice has been immediate and dramatic, but what makes the dental laser truly unique is Convergent Dental’s commitment to innovation. My Solea is regularly upgraded over Wi-Fi with free software. Oftentimes, I go to sleep and wake up to an upgraded Solea that cuts even faster and more precisely.

	I invested in this laser because I want to change the way the dental industry is perceived. With Solea, I’m able to remove everything patients hate about the dentist.

Dr. Ryan Slaten of Perfect-A-Smile Dental Group shares his experience with the Solea laser from Convergent Dental.

The benefits of the Solea laser

	Dr. Brent Moses had been using Aquasil Ultra from Dentsply Sirona for about a year and a half when his local rep convinced him to try the latest enhanced version, Aquasil Ultra+ Smart Wetting Impression Material.

	He was happy with the Ultra but liked the idea of the quicker setting time 

 offered. He’s been using the impression material for about three months now and so far is thrilled with the results.  

Related reading: How to get the best results from your impression material

What Dr. Moses says about Aquasil Ultra+ 

	I like the fact that it sets up in two and a half minutes as opposed to three. That extra 30 seconds makes a huge difference to a lot of patients. I’ve always been impressed with the material’s tear strength and hydrophilicity, but I noticed even that was improved with the Plus. 

	I get predictable results with Aquasil Ultra+ every time. The material gives me really crisp margins and really defined impressions that I can feel confident sending to my dental lab. I know I’m going to get really good results from it. 

	The decreased amount of time the impression material is in the mouth is a really big benefit for patients. It has almost a minty kind of smell and flavor to it, which is more pleasant than other materials on the market. I would also say the fact patients get to hear me celebrate and brag about what a beautiful impression I just took instills a lot of confidence in the procedure we just did and the procedure to come, which is the delivery of the crown. They leave the office knowing I was thrilled about the work I just did in their mouth, making them more confident in the process. 

Related reading: See how Aquasil Ultra+ material is the no-compromise dental impression solution

	The accuracy the material provides is huge. Any time we get an accurate impression it leads to better results for the patient, and accuracy is spot on with this impression material.  It’s easy to use, comfortable for the patient, takes less time to set than other materials and provides the necessary accuracy. The material also saves dentists the headache of wondering if they captured everything accurately enough for the lab tech. With this material, you can be confident it’s going to be right on delivery day. 

	My assistants also like working with the material. They like that it always seems to provide an accurate impression and that, with the 

, there’s usually no wasted material. 

	I’m always telling other dentists about this impression material. It really is an easy material to work with, and the learning curve is super quick. You just have to make sure to work within the time it gives you. A regular set version is available for longer cases or if you want to take more time working on your smaller cases. Both provide accuracy and tear strength. It’s a great material and I’ve been very pleased with it. 

How using Aquasil Ultra+ from Dentsply Sirona helped one practice.

A review of Aquasil Ultra+ from Dentsply Sirona

	Dr. Scott Benjamin began using Zirc Crystal HD Mouth Mirrors when they first came out a few years ago and can’t imagine using a conventional mirror ever again. Here’s why.

What do you like most about Zirc Crystal HD Mouth Mirrors? 

	They are significantly brighter and more reflective than a conventional Rhodium mirror, which is especially important when you’re using a laser or working in areas that are difficult to illuminate. That increased brightness is absolutely essential for performing quality dentistry. When you use a laser you’re required to wear protective eyewear, which filters out some of the visible light transmitted and makes the working environment even dimmer than it normally is. Having the brightness of the mirror to help compensate for that is absolutely critical.  Additionally, the plastic-coated backside of the mirror head eliminates the chance of any specular reflection of laser energy off the backside of the mirror, which could be potentially harmful to the clinician and assistant.

How do these mirrors benefit the patient? 

	It allows the doctor to work in an optimal environment. The biggest value to the patient is the doctor actually seeing what he or she’s doing, even when working in an indirect manner. These mirrors  have three different types to suit most clinical needs. One fits into a traditional cone socket handle, so if a doctor or hygienist has a specific handle they prefer using, they can. One has a narrow plastic handle that makes it light, and one has a large ergonomic handle that is designed to reduce stress and fatigue. The variability makes the mirrors work very well in any clinical environment.

More from Zirc: I Use That: Mr. Thirsty One-Step

How do the mirrors benefit the clinician? 

	They save me time and help me see things I would not normally see, which enhances my quality of care and makes me work much more efficiently. I’m able to see so much more clearly, especially during laser and endodontic procedures. Those are the two places the mirror is extremely valuable, but it’s also valuable for all procedures and any time you’re working with indirect vision. 

	The ability to have the surgical site or treatment area properly visualized becomes extremely critical when working with a mirror. Traditional mirrors absorb some of the light energy so the site becomes dimmer than it would be if you were working with direct vision. This isn’t the case with the Crystal HD Mirrors. 

Why would you encourage other dentists to use these mirrors?

	They’re addictive. Once you’ve tried one, you will probably never go back to a conventional mirror. You don’t know what you don’t know, and in this case you didn’t know what you weren’t seeing when you couldn’t see it. Being able to visualize the treatment area is extremely critical, and the Crystal HD Mirrors enable you to see a much clearer, much brighter and more illuminated area.

	The Crystal HD Mouth Mirrors from Zirc reportedly offer a 40-percent brighter reflection than a Rhodium lens. Because of this extra brightness, mirrors are said to reduce eye strain and fatigue, and are ergonomically designed to maximize comfort and control. All Crystal HD mirrors are autoclavable. Visit zirc.com for more information.

One clinician’s take on the benefits of Zirc Crystal HD Mouth Mirrors.

I Use That: Zirc Crystal HD Mouth Mirrors

	Before Dr. John Comisi invests in a new technology, he does his research to make sure it’s right for his patients and his practice. He spent years researching different Erbium-YAG lasers, but couldn’t find one with the durability he wanted or a price point that made sense-until he came across the LiteTouch from AMD LASERS at the IDS meeting in Cologne. 

	When he saw it again at the New York and Chicago dental meetings, he knew he had to have it. 

What Dr. Comisi says about the LiteTouch 

	It’s a great piece of equipment that we’ve added to our everyday use in the office. Now I can offer drill-free, painless dentistry. There are patients who don’t appreciate an injection of any type and the drilling and noise from handpieces makes them hesitant to get needed dental care. Having an instrument I can use without the need for anesthesia gives me the ability to provide care to those patients. Both children and adults calm down because they don’t feel the vibration or hear the noise they’ve come to expect with rotary instruments. Using equipment that calms fears and provides gentle, effective dental care is remarkable, and has been such a fantastic addition to what we do. 

	When you purchase the laser it comes with a package of items and training, including installation and one day of training at a Master Training Facility where you are trained on the overall principles of laser dentistry and how to incorporate and use the LiteTouch Laser in your office. This is followed up with an in office full day of training so your staff can also become familiar with the laser and how it will be used in your office. It’s an incredible team building operation. 

	The LiteTouch makes restorative dentistry easier and enhances bonded restorative procedures. There’s no micro cracking and chipping like there is with rotary instruments. It’s a very gentle way to take care of the patient. It’s also great because it destroys bacteria and can be used for perio, endo, implant uncovering-all kinds of different things in addition to hard tissue. This is a complete laser, and I’m continually looking for new ways to use it. That’s the really fun part. When I want to do something new with the laser,  I can talk with the team at AMD. I explain what I want to do and they put me in touch with someone who’s already doing it. There’s a network of dentists ready to help each other become better at what we can do with the LiteTouch, which makes this a very special company to work with, and a great product to have in the office.

	It’s also a practice builder. People phone in saying ‘I understand you do laser dentistry. I’m afraid of coming to the dentist, tell me more about it.’ The staff can talk to these patients about the benefits of laser dentistry and help them understand how it works. 

Related reading: AMD LASERS expands into all-tissue laser market

	The cost also attracted me to this laser. It’s less than half the price of other Erbium-YAG lasers on the market. The return on investment is remarkable because it becomes part of your day-to-day operations. You use it because it’s available, not because you have to. It’s an important tool in my day-to-day work. 

	Customer service is another important aspect for any equipment you buy. I also use the Picasso Lite, and if I ever have a problem AMD takes care of it right away. It’s the same with the LiteTouch. It includes a two year warranty with annual maintenance to ensure the laser is calibrated and working optimally.

	The LiteTouch is intuitive, easy to use, compact and a great value for every practice. I can’t say enough good things about this unit. It’s been a fabulous addition to the office.

More on the LiteTouch: Inside Look: A breakthrough in all-tissue laser technology

What dental assistant Ellen Grant says about the LiteTouch

	I’ve seen a lot of patients who are really sensitive and unable to get restorations done, even with anesthetic. With the laser we’re able to complete restorations with no anesthetic and patients don’t feel a thing. It’s really a life saver. When you first tell them you don’t need to be numb with a laser they’re a little apprehensive, but once you start and they realize they’re not feeling anything they’re amazed. 

	For a lot of patients the worst part about dentistry is the anesthetic, so knowing they can get a restoration without getting numb or feeling anything is awesome. The patient’s fear is gone, which makes our job a lot less stressful.

One clinician and his assistant share their experience with the LiteTouch from AMD LASERS.

Product review: LiteTouch Laser from AMD LASERS

	While Dr. Howard Glazer has been a successful dentist for more than 40 years, he recently decided it was time to really tap into social media to attract more patients to his practice.

	He needed a turnkey solution to make it happen, which is exactly what he found with Banyan, a social media marketing company that offers a patient photo and review sharing app. 

Trending article: Getting real about social media marketing for the dental practice

	During one of their presentations, I heard a rep from Banyan say, “social media is the new word of mouth.” That intrigued me. I’ve always been a big advocate of word-of-mouth advertising, but the next generation, the millennials, don’t do it that way. Everything is on their iPad or their iPhone. 

	Working with Banyan has been absolutely terrific. My patients love it, my staff members love it and it’s easy. It literally takes three steps-snap, sign and post-and it all happens from a dedicated iPad Mini. It’s programmed so all you have to do is snap a photo of a patient holding one of the Banyan signs, which can be tailored to your practice. I have a sign that says ‘I love Dr. Glazer.’ 

	You take the photo and then a page comes up for patients to sign consent. The next page is the message for them to post the photo to Facebook. The photo also goes on my practice website, which Banyan created. Sometimes I’m in the photo, sometimes my assistant is in the photo. Patients love picking out the different signs, which are constantly changing.

	Patients who post photos are also asked to write a review. We’re getting patients to give us five-star reviews, which is terrific. 

	Banyan has definitely helped my practice in two ways. First, it’s increased my reviews and second, it’s gotten my patients involved in active media as opposed to stale media. Instead of taking a picture of a tooth and sending it out on different social media channels, now I’m sending out a picture of a patient holding a sign expressing his delight. 

	Social media is the new word of mouth. With Banyan you promote yourself while patients also promote you. You can’t beat that. The photos are eye grabbing and once they’re on Facebook they can be shared all over. It’s a great marketing tool and we’ve definitely attracted new patients because of it. 

	For dentists who aren’t well versed in social media, this takes all the angst out of it. This is very easy to understand and use-Banyan basically does it all. You have to be involved in social media today and this is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to do it. 

Trending article: 3 ways to set social media goals that work for your dental practice

What office manager Julie Glazer says about Banyan 

	My patients love it. Banyan just adds more fun to the office-which is important for a dental practice. Patients come in looking forward to having their picture taken. And it’s easy to use. If I can do it anybody can do it. 

	I like it. That’s the bottom line. I’ve very happy with the service. It’s a great way of getting to the public

Dr. Howard Glazer explains how Banyan benefited his practice.

How Banyan social media marketing can benefit your dental practice

	About 20 years ago, the team at Dentrix Dental Systems, later acquired by Henry Schein, went to work creating practice management software designed specifically for large multisite and group dental practices. These larger operations needed a more robust, centralized solution, and because the company had already developed a successful practice management software for solo practices, it just made sense for the Dentrix team to provide it.

	They converted the existing Dentrix software architecture to a relational SQL database that made scaling up and centralization possible, and then began adding the types of features larger practices and organizations needed. Once developed, 

 quickly became a solution that multisite group practices, hospitals, correctional facilities, educational institutions, government institutions and community health centers relied on for efficient, centralized practice management. 

Video Q&A: Learning more about Dentrix Enterprise

	Dentrix Enterprise continues to evolve, with the latest version of the software-8.0.7-released earlier this year. Here’s a look at the benefits this practice management software provides, its features and the ongoing development process that keeps making this solution even more robust and user friendly. 

Benefits for multisite and large group practices 

	Dentrix Enterprise makes it possible to centralize practice operations in real time across all locations-which is vital for multilocation practices, Multisite Segment Manager Adam McDaniel says. 

 or different databases for different locations, everything from patient records to billing to scheduling is standardized and shared in one database, he says. This helps improve efficiencies and the ability to make important business decisions, giving these practices the best opportunity for increased profits and further expansion. 

	“I’ve spoken with customers that have 20-or-more locations on Dentrix Enterprise and they say they don’t know how they would have gotten to this point or built their organization without a product like this one that runs operations across their entire business,” McDaniel notes. “It also enables them to develop common best practices across all locations and centralized reporting. All the data is in one place. All you need to do is run a report.” 

	Next page: Benefits for community health centers ...

Benefits for community health centers and other large locations 

	Dentrix Enterprise also provides a valuable practice management solution for community health centers, hospitals, clinics and other large organizations. Because of the software’s HL7 interface and other technologies, it can easily exchange information with medical software, Product Manager Nate Nelson says, which improves operations and patient care.

	“The software tracks meaningful use pieces but it also can communicate with other software systems,” McDaniel says. “So if a hospital has a dental wing plus other medical departments, it can transport information back and forth between medical systems. You don’t typically find a robust system like that in the dental industry.” 

Must read: How technology is REALLY changing the dental workflow

	Henry Schein, along with other partners, even won a government contract to help modernize the military’s health care system. Its interoperability with medical software was one of the main reasons Dentrix Enterprise was chosen for this project, Nelson says.  

	Dentrix Enterprise was built as a business platform and works with other business systems, McDaniel says-which is an important feature for both multisite practices and other organizations. The software can integrate with digital radiography systems as well as various financial software, for example, and is truly an enterprise class system. 

	“Dentrix Enterprise was built with the dental workflow in mind as opposed to a medical solution that was retrofitted to work with dental,” Nelson notes. “It helps dentists do their jobs.” 

	The most recent release, Dentrix Enterprise 8.0.7, features significant changes to the user interface, Nelson says, which now has an intuitive patient dashboard. The dashboard offers users easy access to complete patient overviews without the need to open multiple windows. 

	“Instead of having to go through different screens to find patient information such as medical conditions, insurance and treatment plan options, it all exists in one place,” Nelson says. “It’s a dashboard associated with each patient. It’s easy for users to find all the information they need in a single glance.” 

	The update also includes integrated credit card processing with enterprise class level reporting and reliability as well as insurance enhancements, McDaniel observes. The enhancements made to this version, as well as past and future versions, were based on customer feedback, Nelson says. 

	“We really do value customer feedback,” McDaniel says. “With software we realize things change quickly and we need to respond to customer feedback. That’s why we try to release small updates a few times a year. This particular upgrade took three to four months to complete.” 

	Dozens of team members continuously work on updating the software, McDaniel says, and define the enhancements based on customer input. The development team draws mock ups of what the new feature might look like, then puts those mockups in front of customers for more insight. 

	“We refine and improve the feature before the programming begins,” McDaniel says. “It’s more time consuming to make changes to code than it is to make changes to drawings.”

	Once the business case is made, the software engineers go to work developing the new features, he notes. They provide demonstrations to the business team every few weeks to refine the product and make sure they’re on track. When the product is ready to release, the marketing and sales teams become more involved and determine how they’re going to promote the update. 

Product roundup: The best practice management software for your office

	When practices or large organizations are ready to implement Dentrix Enterprise, a dedicated project manager helps plan and track the process, which can take more than a year or just a few months, McDaniel says. It’s all customizable and depends on the size of the group and how quickly they want to be up and running. 

	“We’re full service,” McDaniel notes. “We’re built to handle software, hardware and technology as well as setting up and integrating the software.” 

	Every practice is different, and the Dentrix Enterprise team offers the support needed to make the transition as smooth as possible. And once multisite and large organizations implement Dentrix Enterprise, they soon reap the benefits of its many features. Dentrix Enterprise makes it possible to centralize information and standardize operations, helping users become more efficient as they continue to grow.  

Related: 3 ways to synchronize your systems and promote your practice

	“We help dentists and organizations understand their goals and needs because it makes a difference when they’re choosing software,” Nelson says. “It’s not just about cost and it’s not just about popularity. Our approach is to understand what they’re trying to accomplish, whether they’re a profitable multisite organization or they’re providing care to underserved communities. We want to make sure they have what they need to succeed and to show them how our software can help them achieve their goals.”  

This Inside Look on Dentrix Enterprise explores how the management software can be used to improve large and group practices.

How Dentrix Enterprise can help large and group practices

	As the Western Regional Sales Manager for Bien-Air Dental, Daniel Call spends a lot of time talking with dentists about their handpieces and what improvements they’d like to see. During those conversations over the years, dentists almost always told him the same thing: they wanted a handpiece that combined the comfort and familiarity of an air-driven with the power of an electric.

	That’s exactly what Bien-Air gave them in early 2015 with the launch of the TORNADO air-driven handpiece. The lightweight, quiet handpiece offers 30 Watts of torque along with vibration-free, durable operation.  
	
	I work in the field with dentists so it’s my job to communicate what’s needed clinically to our engineers,” Call said. “When I gave the criteria to the engineers, I told them I wanted a small head, the highest torque ever produced in an air-driven handpiece, low vibration and durability. Our engineers met all that criteria and even surpassed my expectations.”
	Here’s a look at the process behind the TORNADO’s development and why you might want to give it a try in your practice.

Related reading: Improved options, patient comfort delivered by Bien-Air

	From the beginning, the team at Bien-Air knew developing the TORNADO would be a challenge. This wasn’t just making a small improvement to the design or increasing power by 10 percent; this was a complete overhaul.
	
	“When we designed the bearings and rotors to produce the power we wanted, we had to redesign everything else,” Call said. “There were no components or existing products engineered to withstand the forces this product produces. This was a ground up design. That’s always a challenge and a big risk. It’s not more of the same old same old. This is something completely new and different.”

	The development process took two years--a small improvement would typically only take two or three months--and involved a software program developed by NASA and what Call describes as a “super computer.” The software allowed the team to produce a simulation of the product and analyze its performance. The software engineers produced the simulation and the mechanical engineers executed it into a physical design.

	“Previous engineering and development was done by trial and error,” Call said. “This software made it possible to completely simulate the air as it traveled through the rotors of the handpiece. We were able to examine the performance of different designs that could produce the torque output we desired. That wouldn’t be possible without this sophisticated software.”

 came down to the dynamic relationship between the handpiece’s torque and noise output, Call said. While increasing power and reducing sound at the same time was a challenge, it was also an important part of developing a successful product. If the handpiece is too noisy, it can cause hearing damage in the dentists using it, not to mention make patients uncomfortable while in the chair. Custom-designed ceramic ball bearings made it possible to lower operation noise to 55 decibels.  

	“With the software we could analyze down to a molecule of air and that enabled us to produce a model that gave us information on how to increase the power and reduce the noise,” Call said. “The simulation enabled us to learn beyond what our sensory perceptions could tell us. It’s the first time that software has been used to create an air-driven handpiece and the first time the technology has been applied to a product in all of dentistry.”

has been in the dental industry since 1959, and the TORNADO is a result of more than half a century of working in the field, Call said. The development team, based in Switzerland, was able to create a high-torque, vibration-free, quiet air-driven handpiece--and that brings plenty of benefits to both the dentist and the patient.
	
	For dentists, they finally have a lightweight handpiece that’s both comfortable 

to use and that features the power they want, Call said. The handpiece offers stable, durable technology they can trust. For the patient, the TORNADO enhances the overall experience. A powerful, vibration-free handpiece increases the success rate of restorative dentistry while also decreasing sensitivity. So patients have a better experience while in the chair and go home with a better restoration.

	Since it was released in early 2015, the TORNADO, which also has a three year warranty and features a bright LED light, has become very popular with the clinicians who’ve used it, Call said. Bien-Air offers a free trial, giving dentists the opportunity to test out the handpiece in their practice before they commit to making the investment. So far, more than 90 percent have purchased the handpiece, and the team in Switzerland has had to produce three times more handpieces than originally forecasted. Call expects sales to continue to grow as more dentists realize the benefits of an air-drive handpiece that offers the power of an electric.

	“There are a lot of clinicians who tried an electric in the past and just didn’t like how it felt. They just thought it was too different,” he said. “Those same clinicians who have tried this product are very satisfied. There’s a very large demand and dentists love it.”    

	The masterful engineering of the rotor’s micron-precise shape and configuration, coupled with optimal air pressure distribution and exhaust flow, warrant the TORNADO an unrivaled 30-watt power output. To contribute to an impeccable user experience, the turbine’s head is ergonomically compact and the sound level competitively low. This technology is complemented with specially-designed ceramic ball bearings capable of handling the highest speed and heaviest loads, guaranteeing optimal durability and resilience.

	Want to try the TORNADO for free? Visit bienair-tornado.com to have the handpiece shipped to you for a free trial.

Inside Look - The TORNADO Handpiece from Bien-Air Dental
DPR takes a close look at how the TORNADO air-driven handpiece came about, and what makes this a special handpiece.