Trade Publication Article

CAD/CAM: Smart Sourcing

Wisler, Robert S, Farah, John W

2009

Overview

A laboratory has many factors to consider before incorporating CAD/CAM restorations into their services. Tracking PFM versus all-ceramic restorations fabricated in your lab will provide information on your current volume and future growth patterns. With the rising cost of gold, many labs are choosing all-ceramic as an alternative solution because of the fixed costs associated with all-ceramic restorations. One critical factor in this decision is whether or not outsourcing will be profitable. Due to the high expense and training costs of integrating a milling system in your own laboratory, many are choosing to outsource to milling centers. Before partnering with a milling center, it is important to consider the type of support you will receive. Technical support is important, but having marketing and knowledgeable local repre- sentatives to assist your business are also key ingrethents for suc- cess. The milling center you choose should have strong clinical data and technical research to support the use of their particular brand and provide confidence to you and your dentist clients. Laboratories need to partner with a milling cen- ter that has the expertise to pro- vide exceptional restorations that have precise fit of the coping to the die, marginal integrity, and uniform porcelain support. A working relationship should be established with a milling center to clarify the following: bridge span length, framework design, preparation requirements, type of model work needed, type of stone, turnaround time, coping thickness, scannable blockout wax, zirconia frame color charts, and shipping costs. The relationship between the laboratory and the milling center must be profitable for both parties. How does a lab convert doctors to the new technology? Provide data, articles and information on CAD/CAM and zirconia-based ceramics. Provide educational seminars to clients and roundtable discussions on adopting new technology. Offer trial programs to your customer dentists in order for them to see the finished product of zirconia ceramic restorations. Utilize study models of prep designs with before and after photographs for education. Zirconia based restorations offer several key advantages to dentists: metal free restorations with comparable strength to PFM, biocompatibility and positive tissue response, fixed costs and consistent pricing per unit, excellent esthetics and simplicity of cementation. The future of CAD/CAM is very positive. Zirconia-based ceramics provides an intimacy of fit and superior esthetics that has excellent vitality and translucency. Costs are very competitive with other types of all-ceramic restorations. Long-term clinical data now exists on Lava crowns and bridges, as well as other all-ceramic restorations. Additional studies are needed on full contour zirconia crowns in contact with enamel (wear rates), as well as the shading of zirconia. All-ceramic restorations have proven their efficacy. It is important to be knowledgeable and remember that all zirconia ceramics and CAD/CAM systems are not created equal. Mixing and matching copings with veneering ceramics is not recommended; work within a system of manufacturer guidelines for success. Zirconia-based ceramics and CAD/CAM, along with digital dentistry are the future due to labor costs and consistency of automation. Laboratories can get involved with minimal investment and choosing the right outsourcing partnership. Together with dentists, laboratories can learn and grow with this new technology as it changes and develops into the future. CAD/CAM Smart-Sourcing involves a thorough review of the way you do business and how to successfully partner with others. Decisions need to be made by the laboratory on how to deliver consistent esthetic results to dentist clients with a profitable return on investment. Future success depends on your ability to view technology and outsourcing as a positive solution to your daily challenges.

• Publisher: Newcom Media Inc
• Subject: CAD / CAM / Ceramics / Computer aided design / Computer aided manufacturing / Dentistry