Implementing digital technology in private practice: Strategies for a smooth transition

Most practices have adopted digital dentistry, but adoption alone doesn’t deliver results. High costs, steep learning curves, and disconnected systems limit impact. This presentation focuses on how to actually make digital work by integrating technologies into a cohesive workflow, improving efficiency and predictability, and training the entire team to execute effectively during the transition from analog to digital.

Digital technology has revolutionized dentistry to the point where most practices have integrated some form of digital equipment into their daily routine. The major problems with the implementation of these tools are high initial costs, a learning curve, and the fragmentation of digital systems. Integrating the available digital technologies in interdisciplinary therapy results in increased efficiency, accuracy, predictability, and reduction of chair time. The process of acquiring digital information and sharing it with colleagues, laboratories, and patients is vital to any practice. This presentation focuses on strategies to guide any office transitioning from a conventional workflow to a digital workflow by training the dental office team to use the technology effectively.

Topics to be covered:

• Evaluating financial considerations prior to purchasing any digital technology.
• Implementing digital technology in a prosthodontic practice, from a single unit to a complete arch prosthesis.
• The value of merging of CBCT images with intraoral scans in treatment planning and coordination of therapy with other specialties.
• Demonstrating the complete process of incorporating intraoral scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to predictably achieve esthetic and well-fitting implant restorations.