Category Spotlight: Evolving the Practice With CEREC Workflow

CATEGORY SPOTLIGHT

Evolving the Practice
With CEREC Workflow

CEREC technology—from intraoral scanning and design tools to chairside milling—can turn a practice into an efficient, productive, single-visit dentistry hub.

Though it is constantly evolving to meet the demands of today’s practices and patients, Dentsply Sirona’s CEREC technology is by no means new to the dental industry. And it is certainly not new to New Image Dental of San Diego, CA, where Drs. Scott and Leslie Strommer introduced CEREC intraoral scanning and chairside milling over 15 years ago. At that time, the practice was treating a high volume of sedation patients, and many of those receiving restorative treatment were fearful of 1 appointment, let alone 2.

“Our ability to do sedation dentistry, along with same-day crowns, was a big advantage and gave the practice a unique spin,” said Dr. Leslie.

But that unique spin didn’t last long. In the San Diego area today, modern dental technology has become the standard of care. “Patients come into the office saying, ‘You’re going to use the CEREC, right?’” said Dr. Scott, adding that part of their new-patient experience is a tour of the practice’s technology.

Speaking in CEREC
While most dental students today are learning to use newer technologies, that wasn’t the case back when the now-married dentists were earning their degrees at UCLA. Fortunately, that wouldn’t stand in the way of CEREC becoming like a second language. Dr. Scott said he learned to use technology by using the same principles he adopted from the Kois Center, where he is a clinical instructor, and applying them to a digital workflow. The difference, he says, is that the results are quicker, cheaper, and often more accurate than traditional methods.

“For those of us who haven’t done hundreds and hundreds of surgeries or implants through dental school and residencies, technology gives you that breakthrough in terms of opportunity and confidence,” he said.

Sliding Into Same-Day Dentistry
A major piece of the CEREC workfl ow is digital impressions, which Dr. Leslie said has completely changed the way they practice. “We’ve spent time training our auxiliary team to be very proficient in scanning and digital impressioning so that we can be free to see other patients,” she shared. “I cannot imagine practicing without the ability to scan.”

Dr. Leslie believes any practice can use CEREC to offer single-visit chairside dentistry, as long as they’re ready to adapt to the workflow of prep, scan, design, and delivery in one appointment.

New Image Dental often receives calls from patients who are in pain and only in town for a brief stay. Instead of dealing with temporaries popping off or long appointments, the practice can take care of their needs with CEREC in about an hour and a half.

“This situation happens routinely, not only with out-of-towners who find us, but with patients of record,” said Dr. Scott. “These patients don’t have to wait 2 or 3 weeks for the final restoration; they can have their smile at the end of the day. And that’s really cool.”