Unpacking the results of the Dental Lab Products®  2021 Technology Survey

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Unpacking the results of the Dental Lab Products® 2021 Technology Survey

A Range of Technologies  Sparks  Interest From Dental Labs

New Dental Lab Products August 2021

A look at some of the newest dental lab products from around the industry.

Here’s a look at some of the dental milling machines that are available.

More Than Just  Run-of-the-Mill Technology

Dental labs have always been supported by a foundation of technologies designed to help skilled technicians work with specialized materials to design and fabricate crowns, bridges, dentures, and numerous other dental appliances. The scanners, mills, and printers used by dental labs are all technology platforms that are also used in other industries, which have been customized for the unique needs of a dental lab. The materials these systems process are also technologies developed and fine-tuned for dental applications.

Although a dental lab relies on many specialized innovations, there are plenty of consumer technologies that labs should be employing to help with everything from business operations to communications, and much more. Here are 5 consumer technologies that can help any dental lab.

About a decade ago, this entry would likely have omitted the word 

 as a phone by itself is an essential part of any lab’s operations. However, the rise of these pocket computers that combine a phone, camera, video player, and so much more, makes the smartphone an essential tool. These devices can stand in for many of the other technologies on this list because they can be used for capturing and sharing case images, watching training videos, looking up references, talking with clients, and even providing music to keep the lab going throughout the workday. Just be sure to keep a charging cord handy.

This technology might seem redundant with a smartphone on hand, but sometimes a bigger processor—and a bigger screen—is a huge advantage. Although a dedicated digital lab is going to want top-of-the-line computers for running CAD/CAM applications, having a desktop machine to manage the business side of the lab, track cases, and handle numerous other tasks makes sense. The smartphone might be convenient and multidimensional, but a stand-alone computer, which can handle more data-intensive tasks, remains a necessity in almost any business.

This may seem like another repetitive entry, but a tablet can have some unique applications in a dental lab due to its form. Sure, a tablet, such as an iPad, is basically a smaller computer—or a jumbo-sized smartphone—but it’s an ideal technology for use at the bench. The larger screen makes it a great tool for quick video calls or for referencing information or videos without having to stop working completely. The thin design of tablets means they do not require much benchtop real estate and can be moved around the lab with ease. Add in a Bluetooth keyboard so you don’t need to constantly touch the screen or type on the virtual keyboard to make it even more convenient.

A stand-alone camera can add even more to a dental lab. The basic use of a camera to document work and communicate with clients can be accomplished with a smartphone, especially a newer, high-end phone that features the latest in smartphone camera technology. However, a stand-alone camera setup with optimized lighting can take lab photography to new levels. It’s easy to capture every detail of a fixed or removable restoration once you have a camera and lighting properly set up in your lab. These high-quality photos can do a lot for your marketing, as well as make it easy to share extreme close-ups when a minute detail needs to be discussed with a client.

The internet now rivals the phone as the primary means of communication and makes it possible for dental practices to submit cases digitally, which eliminates shipping time and speeds up the case. The internet allows a lab to use cloud-based software for both business management and digital case design, making it easier to access information and complete work from virtually anywhere. This tool has become so essential to both work life and leisure time that today it’s hard to imagine not having instant access to information and people, regardless of location.

A look at some of the off-the-shelf technologies that have a role to play in every modern dental laboratory.

5 Consumer Technologies Essential in a Modern Dental Lab

Flexcera™ Base and Flexcera™ Smile resin for 3D-printed dentures.

Any dental laboratory looking for a 3D printing resin that can offer ceramiclike strength in dentures.

Can be used in any same-day denture case in which there is a need for strength and esthetics. These materials are to be used exclusively with the EnvisionTEC 3D printer.

The Base and Smile materials were designed to offer strength while not compromising on esthetics for patients who require same-day digital dentures for everyday use. They are said to be 3 times as fracture resistant and twice as moisture resistant as other 3D printing resins used for denture fabrication. Base can be used for denture bases, and Smile has the variable translucency that artificial teeth require for the best esthetic outcome.

Using long-chain chemistry, the Flexcera workflow can produce Base and Smile materials to create same-day digital dentures. These materials retain denture properties without being weak and benefit from ceramic-like durability. They are formulated specifically for the EnvisionTEC 3D printer workflow and are said to not compromise on quality. A lab is said to be able to print 8 dentures within 2 hours employing this digital denture workflow.

These digital denture materials are durable while still affording high-quality esthetics.

5Ws* Flexcera Materials

All dental labs looking to use a 3D printed resin that is rigid and durable for dental splints.

The additive manufacturing of splints provides a high level of efficiency by removing several lengthy steps and lowering the cost of materials.

Though VeriSplint OS 3D printing resin is fast to print, it is formulated to produce an accurate, high-quality, economical splint. Customers can now 3D print on a full build platform with up to 4 splints in under 1 hour, at just $5 to $6 per splint. It also brings a greater degree of digital design flexibility into the process, which improves both the lab’s and the patient’s experience.

The VeriSplint OS 3D printing resin is a fully biocompatible material, with 510(k) approval. It has also been validated on Asiga 385nm DLP printers and the Otoflash curing unit. VeriSplint OS features include, transparency, biocompatibility, polishing capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and a 2-year shelf life.

This 3D printing resin from Whip Mix is fast to print, and other features include transparency, biocompatibility, and cost savings.

5Ws* VeriSplint OS 

Labs producing layered ceramic restorations.

Suitable for cases requiring work with a ceramic system.

Milled from a single block of aluminum by computer numerical control (CNC), the tray is available in a large size of 12.5 × 8.5 in. Its large slab of black pearl glass measures 12 × 7.5 in; optional hydration strips are anchored in a water reservoir system. Black “smartphone” glass is embedded in the aluminum lid, which is held up by an exclusive stand for whiteboarding convenience.

The internal reservoir system features a canal track machined by CNC right into the aluminum base. This is designed to promote water flow, as the premeasured bottle dispenses the right amount of water to eliminate excess. In addition, a machined aluminum stand to position the Tray lid or a tablet on the bench is also included. The tray is packaged with a white marking pen for the lid, a premeasured water bottle, and 10 ceramic hydration strips.

The Tray Ceramic Mixing Palette is designed with an internal reservoir system to promote water flow.

5Ws* Harvest Dental Tray Mixing Palette

The second-generation Programat ceramic and press furnaces

Dental laboratories looking to improve day-to-day efficiencies.

Whenever a restoration needs to be fired.

With more than press and fire functions, the newest generation of the Programat series is designed to function as a smart assistant for dental technicians. In addition to improved features such as infrared technology, fully automated press function, and digital shade assistant, new software and smart features have been added. Other features include a redesigned cooling tray to provide more space and better cooling of marginal areas, a new membrane-sealed keyboard, and a customary color touch screen display to ensure fast and easy operation of the furnace, and new symbols and icons that are said to allow for easy operation.

Its Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity allows users to register their device on the Ivoclar Vivadent portal and subscribe to a free report to receive monthly usage summaries. This is said to allow users to optimize critical functions in the dental laboratory. The report provides information on potential errors and facilitates maintenance and repair operations, enhancing the process reliability of the furnace in the laboratory.

The latest generation of Programat furnaces features IoT connectivity, usage reports, and more.

5Ws* Ivoclar Vivadent Programat® Furnaces

Technology is continually improving dentistry, as well as almost every sector of American life. Materials, tools, and techniques have all advanced, thanks to technological advances. For instance, composites supplanted unsightly amalgam. CBCT gives dentists a real-world, 3D representation of a patient’s head. And perhaps most revolutionary for the dentist and laboratory was the advent of CAD/CAM.

Although labs were quick to realize CAD/CAM’s advantages, doctors are not always eager to spend money on something new. The digital workflow is great for labs, because it builds a lot of efficiencies into the process. Although labs are, unquestionably, more efficient with in-house digital processes, those processes are more efficient when their client dentists initiate a case with an intraoral scan. It would be ideal if every lab utilizing a digital workflow had all of its doctors submitting cases digitally, but that isn’t always the case.

There are some strategies that labs can employ to nudge their doctors toward adopting CAD/CAM technology.

The digital workflow has been around for years, but some dentists may wonder if now is the best time to invest in the technology or if there is still room for improvement and for costs to come down.

“I don’t think there has ever been a better time to embrace digital workflow in dentistry than now,” Naren Rajan, DMD, says. Dr Rajan is the founder of Dentistry of Mendham in New Jersey, assistant director of digital dentistry at the Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, and a faculty member at CADpro Academy in Woodbury, New York. “Dentists have more choices than ever before, and the open architecture of modern systems allow them to incorporate whatever level of technology they desire. But also, current systems and workflows allow a dentist to learn and incorporate at their own pace. For instance, they can begin with intraoral scanning then add other digital components such as milling, 3D printing, digital smile design, and more.”

“They really should not wait,” Steve Braykovich, president and CEO of Axsys Dental Solutions in Wixom, Michigan, adds. “We’re past the point of the technology adoption cycle where the technology is largely untested and under constant change and improvement. The newest in technology is typically embraced by early adopters who can afford the risks of very early implementation....Today, the technology and products have been used, tested, and perfected over the course of many years and are now being implemented by the masses. Yes, there’s always room for improvement, however, waiting only delays the inevitable and puts your practice at risk. [Waiting to purchase new technology means] you’ll be unable to compete in terms of quality and cost with practices that have already implemented some part of the digital workflow.”

David Turpin, owner of Spartan Dental Lab in Lansing, Michigan, observes that intraoral scanners are at a fantastic maturation point, and he says now is as good a time as it’s ever going to be to submit cases digitally.

“Many scanners out there are great, probably the best yet,” he says. “I don’t know how much better they can get from where they are now....The materials have come a very long way, too. I even have some doctors who still want gold crowns and PFMs, but they now scan them. We’re able to produce just about every type of restoration from a scan.”

What is the best way for labs to appeal to client doctors? Tell the doctors about the digital workflow’s inherent efficiency? Cost savings? Quality? Something else?

“As a dentist interested in using digital workflows for my patients, it really needs to include all 3 benefits,” Dr Rajan says. “This is the promise of digital dentistry, after all, but I would also add predictability. I need the fit and esthetics of the final product to be predictable above all else. I would say money is actually the least important in this list, because if the products are predictably of high quality, delivered efficiently, I am willing to pay a premium, within reason. The cost of remaking something is far more expensive than paying a bit more at the outset.”

Anyone who is in business must look at the money and the bottom line. It is not to suggest that patient care isn’t the doctor’s primary concern, but money matters and that can be an effective way to make the sale.

“I would use the term ‘profitability’ over ‘money,’” Braykovich says. “We focus more directly on reducing patient chair time, reducing revisits due to inaccuracies in what they receive from their lab partners, reducing—not necessarily eliminating—their lab expenses, and gaining control over deliverables and quality.”

For the lab, efficiency encapsulates all of the benefits, particularly the communications benefits, and for Turpin, sharing that with his clients is the best way to encourage them.

“I like to inform my clients about the efficiency of it,” he says. “And not necessarily the efficiency of how fast it is, but the efficiency of how we, as a lab, are able to communicate back to the doctor. I’m able to give [my out-of-town doctors who have scanners] instant feedback or answer any questions about the case. We don’t have to wait for the impression to come in, pour it up, look at it, and call the doctor to have the patient come back in.”

It’s one thing to tell dentists that the digital process is more efficient and will save costs. Dentists also may require some proof.

“I think this can be the most difficult part of the process of taking a dentist digital

who hasn’t been digital before,” Dr Rajan says. “Ultimately, the dentist will absolutely need proof of concept. Unfortunately, so much of the success or failure of the process is in the control of the dentist when it comes to using their technology properly. There is an enormous educational void in teaching dentists about digital workflows, how they work, and what the clinical best practices are to ensure success. If a laboratory can provide those tools to a dentist, it can be a win-win for the team.”

One of the ways in which Turpin shows his client doctors the benefits of the digital workflow is by leasing intraoral scanners.

“I do advertise the lease program quite a bit to get curious dentists involved,” Turpin says. “If they’re interested in that program, I have a demo unit and I’ll show them how to use it. I’ll let them try it out for a week or so and tell them there are no strings attached. If they want to purchase one, they can; if they want to lease one, great. If they want a different kind, I encourage them to look into other brands. I want them to be comfortable with their investment to grow their practice.”

Braykovich observes that presenting the solution with a complete look at all facets—both positive and negative—can help persuade client dentists.

“We discuss the current technology and the relative advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons, and what differentiates Axsys Dental Solutions in our offerings and ability to support their operation,” Braykovich says. “Of course, nothing beats references from their peers—existing clients who can candidly explain their decisions and how it has helped their business. Our current doctor clients also educate their peers on the importance of their supplier’s ability to train and support them, something many doctors forget to include in their selection criteria and where we excel.”

It’s not uncommon for older doctors to be resistant both from workflow and cost points of view.

“I’d say it’s generational in that many doctors are at a point of retirement and not excited about the cost of implementing digital dental technology,” Braykovich says. “Some are concerned it will somehow bring about a disruption in their practice, and many are simply resistant to change or have the fear of the unknown. We find many don’t know what technology is available or the details of the digital dental workflow. Still others find it difficult to secure financing for their technology investment or simply have other needs that they perceive as a higher priority.”

Every dentist is unique, and their needs and professional experiences will factor into their overall decision.

“Typically, the dentists who are able to make the investments in digital technology are not new graduates who have grown up with technology,” Dr Rajan says. “They are dentists well-versed in analog techniques and workflows. I think dentists typically can be resistant to change, and rightfully so. It takes years of clinical of practice to hone restorative techniques and obtain predictable results for our patients. If I were a patient, I would not want my doctor constantly trying new techniques on my mouth. On the other hand, I also would not want my doctor to use outdated techniques when better ones are available....The cost of entry cannot be overlooked, as it does require significant financial investments to begin. [But] there are many built-in cost offsets that make digital dentistry affordable even for small single doctor offices [such as] my own.”

Some of it also depends on the doctor’s willingness to embrace technology.

“Many dentists I’ve spoken with are not always technology- and computer-savvy,” Dr Rajan says. “....There does seem to be a certain level of uneasiness of embracing technology in older generations of dentists, at least anecdotally. Learning digital dentistry does require some trial and error and leaving one’s comfort zone.”

As with any technology, the cost of intraoral scanners continues to decrease, but the equipment can still be pricey, which can be a turn-off for dentists. Turpin explains that, despite the price, when clients look at the whole benefit to their business, they realize the ultimate cost savings.

“Today, one of the hurdles would be the cost of the scanners,” Turpin says. “Some of them are very expensive. However, they are coming down in price. [Dentists will] see the impact it will make on the savings in impression material and how they’re going to maximize efficiencies in chair time.”

Despite the lab’s best efforts, there may be dentists who still refuse to go digital. In some cases, the lab may decide that they can no longer serve that doctor.

“If a dentist simply refuses to embrace digital technology and the laboratory is committed to only using digital workflow from intraoral scans, then I don’t see how the relationship can continue,” Dr Rajan says. “However, for the time being, I do believe laboratories should continue working with dentists who can provide excellent physical impressions where stone casts can be digitized.”

Although he is heavily invested in the digital workflow, Turpin is still happy to work with any of his client doctors regardless of whether they have embraced CAD/CAM.

“We just keep doing as we’ve been doing,” he says. “We’ll continue to accept physical impressions because I don’t see them going away anytime soon.”

Whichever way the lab chooses to go, Braykovich emphasizes the need for tact and discretion.

“This is a very sensitive issue, as we do not want to become a nuisance by interrupting their business with constant phone calls and emails,” Braykovich says. “We typically try to understand their position on implementing our solutions and mutually agree on a time for follow-up. Many doctors grant us permission to notify them of any new events or promotions, as they may be significant enough to influence their decision and timeframe.”

CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and other technologies can boost efficiency and profits for your clients—and you.

Dental Lab Products August 2021

A Range of Technologies Sparks Interest From Dental Labs