Benefits of a digital workflow during Covid 19 Pandemic.
Conventional workflow:
The dentist takes the impression from a potentially infectious patient. The impression might be not adequately disinfected, and the delivery man transports it to the dental laboratory. In the meantime, the virus can survive in the humid ambient temperature.
Once at the dental laboratory the infected impression can contaminate the working surfaces, instruments, other prosthetic restorations/stone models, and the technician.
Then, the technician realizes the prosthetic restoration, which is transported again by the delivery man to the dentist and delivered to patient. These steps might be multiple, and contamination can verify also through human contacts (dentist–patient–delivery man–technician)
The dentist takes the impression from a potentially infectious patient. The impression might be not adequately disinfected, and the delivery man transports it to the dental laboratory. In the meantime, the virus can survive in the humid ambient temperature.
Once at the dental laboratory the infected impression can contaminate the working surfaces, instruments, other prosthetic restorations/stone models, and the technician.
Then, the technician realizes the prosthetic restoration, which is transported again by the delivery man to the dentist and delivered to patient. These steps might be multiple, and contamination can verify also through human contacts (dentist–patient–delivery man–technician)
Digital workflow:
The dentist takes the digital impression from a potentially infectious patient, and the STL file is received by the laboratory in real time and with no human contact. The CAD/CAM technology, with no infection risk, realizes the prosthetic restoration, which is transported by the delivery man to the dentist and delivered to the patient.
The dentist takes the digital impression from a potentially infectious patient, and the STL file is received by the laboratory in real time and with no human contact. The CAD/CAM technology, with no infection risk, realizes the prosthetic restoration, which is transported by the delivery man to the dentist and delivered to the patient.
A digital workflow reduces the chance of cross infection.
- Analogue impressions need extra steps which require handling and transporting multiple items. Digital impressions remove these steps.
- Conventional impressions are a challenge to disinfect. Digital impressions are data, so need no disinfection.
- Conventional impressions need handling at the lab, again increasing cross infection risk. Digital impressions are data, so need no disinfection.
With a fully digital approach, the infection risk is just limited to the direct contact in the dental office with the patient and contamination can be prevented by the use of PPE, and surface disinfection and sterilization of the scanner tips . The digital workflow reduces the steps and working time compared to analogic workflow, and, therefore, the possible infection risk: There are no physical impressions or materials/instruments to disinfect, no transportation is required, and the number of appointments is decreased. (Ref: https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.13442 )
Improve accuracy and communication. Get faster and better results.
Digital impressions create a virtual, computer-generated replica of the hard and soft tissues in the mouth They capture clear and highly accurate impression data in minutes, without the need for traditional messy and uncomfortable impression material. Early systems were slow, cumbersome, expensive and needed powder to coat the teeth before scanning.
That has change. The latest scanners are lightweight, mobile, very accurate and very fast. The open digital workflow saves times and money and improves the quality of restorations and your patients experience. You can incorporate a digital impression scanner into your practice for less than £100 a week.
Add a 3D printer to print your own models, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances, dentures and offer your own in house aligners.
Benefits.
1. Scanners can be used for all treatment workflows. Orthodontic, restorative and implant planning.
2. Increased efficiency, especially when submitting scan data electronically to labs.
3. Better communication with labs and increased accuracy means fewer remakes.
4. Better communication with patients. A full set of colour digital models to discuss chair side.
5. Satisfied patients who struggle with traditional impressions.
5. Easier replacements for appliances from digital models. (especially with 3D printing)
6. Scanners are now portable so can easily be shared between treatment rooms.
7. Archiving of existing models.
8. Cost saving on materials, postage and storage space.
Newer scanners are based on firmware/software designs which means the speed, accuracy and functionality of the scanner improves with updates. To encourage a wider adoption, these updates should be included free of charge but a some manufacturers still charge.
So for a better ROI calculation we would suggest working on a 5 year monthly finance figure of £350 - £450 a month (depending on the model)
Then compare this against the cost savings and the multitude of benefits listed above.
Many models have license free software and extended warranties so there should not be any additional servicing costs.
2. Increased efficiency, especially when submitting scan data electronically to labs.
3. Better communication with labs and increased accuracy means fewer remakes.
4. Better communication with patients. A full set of colour digital models to discuss chair side.
5. Satisfied patients who struggle with traditional impressions.
5. Easier replacements for appliances from digital models. (especially with 3D printing)
6. Scanners are now portable so can easily be shared between treatment rooms.
7. Archiving of existing models.
8. Cost saving on materials, postage and storage space.
Newer scanners are based on firmware/software designs which means the speed, accuracy and functionality of the scanner improves with updates. To encourage a wider adoption, these updates should be included free of charge but a some manufacturers still charge.
So for a better ROI calculation we would suggest working on a 5 year monthly finance figure of £350 - £450 a month (depending on the model)
Then compare this against the cost savings and the multitude of benefits listed above.
Many models have license free software and extended warranties so there should not be any additional servicing costs.
Intra oral digital impression scanners
Desktop Digital Impression Scanners
Autoscan DS - EX
AutoScan-DS-EX is an unexpectedly cost-effective optionm.
This brand new 3D dental scanner will amaze the dental world with its unmatched small footprint and unprecedented light-weight.
A desktop digital scanner ideal for small labs, implant, cosmetic, aesthetic and orthodontic practices.