Innovator profile The advantages of digital impressions for labs

Carestream Dental's Joe Andrasko talks intraoral scanning, digital workflows and more.

This article originally appeared in the July/August issue of Dental Lab Products. For more great articles about what's happening in the dental lab world, click the issue below:

As part of DLP's Innovator Profiles series, we spoke with Joe Andrasko, U.S. product manager, Digital Imaging and CS Solutions at Carestream Dental.

He told us about the CS 3500, the latest intraoral scanner from Carestream, and how it improves the dentist-lab workflow, how going digital is better for everyone and more. Read on:

Related article: How intraoral scanning can open up the digital workflow for clinicians and labs

DLP: How have intraoral scanners changed the dental industry?

Joe Andrasko: Intraoral scanners are revolutionizing doctor/patient and doctor/lab communication, and there are benefits to everyone. Digital data provides more accurate and consistent clinical results than traditional methods. Also, the process from start to finish is faster, which allows for efficiency gains in the office and at the lab. Doctors and labs can communicate and collaborate on digital impressions and designs like never before, and the digital data can be an effective tool for case presentation. Patients expect technology that will make their office visits easier, faster and more effective and digital intraoral technology delivers on all of these fronts. 

Q: How are labs adjusting to the rising use of digital impressions?

A: In many cases, labs are leading the charge with respect to digital impression adoption in the dental industry. Labs have been using digital data for years due to the advantages it affords, and they can only benefit by the extension of that digital workflow to their clients. It allows for more automation of incoming cases, eliminating time-consuming shipments and order processing. 

Q: How does the CS 3500 stand out from all of the scanners on the market?

A: The CS 3500 intraoral scanner is the most versatile intraoral scanner available on the market today with no recurring click fees or data plans. With dedicated restorative, orthodontic and implant workflows, the scanner has a wide variety of clinical applications for any office. In addition, the CS 3500 integrates directly into the office’s workflow via its direct USB connection. This allows an office the capability to use its own computers rather than requiring them to purchase proprietary computers. Also, because the CS 3500 runs on Carestream’s Dental imaging platform, the data from the scanner has the potential to integrate with a wide variety of practice management systems–this means no entering the patient’s information twice as the data from the scanner is automatically stored with other patient images and data. 

Learn more: Carestream Dental partners with exocad

Q: What feedback have you received from labs that are receiving CS 3500 files from their dental clients?

A: Labs have been very positive about helping doctors facilitate a transition from traditional impressions to digital impressions with our system. Labs appreciate that the Carestream Dental system allows doctors to take accurate and detailed digital models and send them in without fees to either the doctor or the lab. Labs have asked Carestream Dental for additional features to assist with case prescriptions and transfer, as well as more tools for working with submitted cases. These are both high priorities for us to deliver, and we welcome feedback from any lab that can help us improve the workflow, both before and after the scan is taken.

Next page: The benefits of a digital impression workflow ...

Q: How does Carestream Dental ensure labs are equipped to receive digital files from the CS 3500?

A: The digital files from the CS 3500 are STLs that can be imported into almost all lab software applications that accept open formats. In addition, we have worked to ensure our files are easily usable by the most common lab software applications, such as exocad, 3Shape and Dental Wings. When a doctor purchases the Carestream Dental system, we contact any labs they work with before the office begins using the scanner to ensure they are prepared to receive and work with Carestream Dental digital files.

Related: More features of the CS 3500

Q: What are the benefits of the CS 3500 digital impression workflow for labs, dentists and patients?

A: Labs, dentists and patients all win with a digital impression workflow. There are lowered costs associated with shipping, lab remakes and impression material. There are time savings in case submission, order processing and chairtime. The clinical outcomes are better overall, and patients are more comfortable. The CS 3500 provides a reliable, easy-to-use and accurate technology to implement a digital workflow, and it is backed by our in-house training and support teams. 

DLP: How can labs support dental clients who are interested in moving to a digital workflow?

A: The dental industry, as a whole, is looking at the digital intraoral scanner market because the technologies have reached a tipping point in regards to ease of use, benefits and price. Labs are the natural experts on digital data because they are already using it daily. Labs can help in this transition by learning the digital intraoral scanner market and educating doctors about the entire digital workflow from the chair to the lab and through the fabrication process. Armed with this knowledge, both doctors and labs can make technology choices that provide them with the best clinical results and easiest workflow at the best price.

Product in focus: The CS 3500 intraoral scanner

With the CS 3500 intraoral scanner, clinicians can scan patients’ teeth directly to acquire true color, 3D images. It offers high angulation scanning of up to 45 degrees and a depth of 16mm. The scanner features a light guidance system that navigates users through the image acquisition process. With the ability to instantly generate STL files, it lets clinicians own their data and send impressions to labs with no fees. It is also a more pleasant experience for patients.

Editor's note: Innovator Profiles are part of a special advertising section in the pages of Dental Lab Products and are paid for by advertising partners. The opinions in these profiles are not necessarily reflected by Dental Lab Products, its editorial team or UBM Medica.