Are impressions leaving a bad taste in your patients’ mouth?

With technology on the rise in dentistry today, the big buzz seems to be around Digital Impression Technology. There are a few major companies that are developing the hardware and software to make this dream a reality. One such company already has the inter-oral scanning capability and by the end of 2008, will have the model making capability ready for production. That company is Cerec by Sirona. They have recently introduced a platform for doctors to transfer digital impressions to the lab of their choice for single unit full crown, inlay, and onlay products. This is available now and it is called Cerec Connect. Any doctor or lab can sign up for the platform by going to www.cerec-connect.com and best of all, it is completely free! Imagine not needing to take an impression on these types of cases tomorrow. As I told you before model making capabilities will be available by the end of 2008 and Cerec Connect will serve as the platform for that as well.

Do the Current Economy, Gold Market, and Even Gas Prices Have a Hold on Your Dental Practice?

It seems as though nothing is financially stable in the U.S. economy today. As if the Real Estate Market and the cost of Gasoline weren’t enough, Precious Metals are higher than ever. This is a great thing if you invested in gold while it was low and are able to cash in now that it is extremely high, however most dental professionals are not that lucky.

All of the factors that contribute to our economy crisis are driving patients further away from any elective and even some maintenance dental work. This is resulting in slow business in the dental industry. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the rising cost of precious metals are driving the cost of crown and bridge restorations higher than ever, minimizing the profit margin of the dental professionals both Laboratory Technician and Dentist alike. There are some very good alternatives in metal free restorations. Zirconia, All Ceramic, and Composites are the basic three alternatives. They are all very nice restorations but are higher priced than PFM restorations, and most require special cementation.

A more recent addition to the Metal-Free lineup is IPS e.max from Ivoclar Vivadent. This revolutionary material is nearly four times stronger than any other all porcelain crown yet is fifty percent kinder to the natural dentition. It is so strong that it can even be conventionally cemented. It can be used for single unit posterior full crown, inlay / onlay, and up to three unit bridge in the anterior region. It is a remarkable material with the beauty of all ceramic and strength greater than the veneering porcelain on a PFM or Zirconia. As if this weren’t good news enough, the cost of producing this restoration is lower than any other metal free restoration resulting in most labs charging similar prices to that of a PFM on base metal (Non-Precious).