As the opportunities for dentists and dental technicians to access digital workflows expand, we can begin to imagine what the future of the dental laboratory might look like.
Over the years the implementation of digital technology in both the dental practice and the lab has contributed to increased precision and accuracy, more efficient workflows, improved patient engagement, and enhanced treatment options.[i]
However, although the effects of digital dentistry have so far been felt across the whole profession, there is so much more that can be done.
The digital dental revolution?
Despite the widespread digitisation of many industries, and the fact digital dental technology has been available for over two decades, through necessity many elements of the pathway still remain manual and analogue.
This is for a number of reasons:
First of all, high-quality intraoral scanners, milling machines, and 3D printers require significant investment.
Secondly, the digital processes only provide solutions for some of the steps in the pathway, integration requires adaptation of current routines rather than an entirely new and complete process.
Additionally, although intraoral scanners are now widely used in dental practices, there is an acceptance that some clinical procedures are still better undertaken using conventional techniques if optimum outcomes are to be achieved.
Finally, in the lab, dental model scanners have improved consistency in the process of creating restorations, but also take up a significant amount of valuable technician time. A recent study concluded that scanning a full upper, lower, and bite model can take an average of more than 16.5 minutes.[ii]
The future of the dental lab
With this in mind, will the dental lab of the future be different to the working environment that many dental technicians will be familiar with today? As demand from patients for faster and more efficient dental care rises, labs will need to make sure that they continue to increase throughput while also improving the quality and fit of restorations.
So, in turn, scanners, milling machines, and 3D printers will have to become more accurate, use a greater variety of materials and be more convenient.
At the same time, the amount of waste produced and materials used in creating a restoration can be reduced, further streamlining the process and generally making it more environmentally friendly.[ii]
The other major benefit of digital workflows is improved communication, both internally and with other dental practices. By hosting information, whether that’s scans, impressions, clinical images, or treatment plans, on digital platforms clinicians and technicians have the freedom to collaborate on projects with ease.[iii]
Taking steps to future proof the lab
Having considered the benefits of modern solutions in the dental lab, it’s important that dental technicians don’t let outdated processes hold them back. Dental lab owners have a key role to play here, ensuring that each team member is able to adopt new technology at their own pace, allowing them to learn how to use new solutions properly without rushing.
Innovation is happening now
A great way to learn about new technology is by attending dental exhibitions, which enable you to connect with those who know their products best. An event which showcased the cutting-edge in dental technology was the IDS in Cologne this March at which Mimetrik launched the Cubit360 scanner.
Boasting an unrivalled scanning speed of under three minutes for a full upper + lower + bite scan, the Cubit360 is the world’s only six degrees of freedom scanner, enabling fast and intuitive complete scan capture. It achieves unrivalled efficiency, with no need to clamp dental models, and by dispensing with cumbersome metal mounting frames. Instead, the Cubit360 uses a hand-held approach for a rapid and more accurate bite scan.
With its small footprint, Cubit360 can be used in the dental surgery for chairside impression and denture scanning, instantly creating a digital model that can be shared directly with the lab. Mimetrik will also be exhibiting at the upcoming British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show in May – visit them on stand H10.
By implementing digital technology into your daily workflows, you’ll immediately benefit of improved efficiency, time saving, and reduced waste. That has a direct impact on your team, the dentists that you work with, and their patients. The dental lab of the future will make innovation a priority, with accurate and predictable workflows improving the experience of the dental lab for everyone.
Author: Alyn Morgan
[i] Gawali N, Shah PP, Gowdar IM, Bhavsar KA, Giri D, Laddha R. The Evolution of Digital Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024 Jul;16(Suppl 3):S1920-S1922. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_11_24. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 39346228; PMCID: PMC11426768.
iiMühlemann S, Lamperti ST, Stucki L, Hämmerle CHF, Thoma DS. Time efficiency and efficacy of a centralized computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacturing workflow for implant crown fabrication: A prospective controlled clinical study. J Dent. 2022 Dec;127:104332. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104332. Epub 2022 Oct 14. PMID: 36252858.
[ii] https://rutherforddentallab.com/the-future-of-dental-laboratories/
[iii] https://rutherforddentallab.com/the-future-of-dental-laboratories/