At the 2. CAD/CAM Event, MANI SCHÜTZ presents new concepts “how to position dental practices and dental labs in todays and tomorrows digital world”
It is a real challenge to gain a promising market position with a dental practice or a dental lab. However, new CAD/CAM technologies, specialization or interdisciplinary networking can help you manage these challenges.
One of the greatest necessities is a clear strategy. The speakers at the 2. MANI SCHÜTZ CAD/CAM Event did address this subject: Lab owners presented their successful positioning concepts, dentists who work in science or in private practices delivered insight into the implementation of practice concepts and cooperating partners of event organizer MANI SCHÜTZ showed their latest developments in hardware, software and functional diagnostics. All participants gladly engaged in communication during and after the presentations and in exchanging ideas with their peers. The possibilities for networking were used extensively.
Charming as ever, Mr. Michael Stock, Sales Manager (Schütz Dental), hosted the event by initiating each speaker’s presentation with a few personal words of introduction and by leading the audience through a diversified show. More than 150 participants joined MANI SCHÜTZ for this outstanding, comprehensive event at CAMPUS Kronberg/Taunus (Germany)
“Computer-supported dentistry will determine all actions in the future“ was the opening line of MDT Rudolf Reil (Lab Owner, Nabburg/Germany). By combining 3D scanners, construction software and generative production procedures, new working processes and a new future-oriented product landscape were created. Realizing this fact, Rudolf Reil has based his business philosophy on the Digital Workflow by MANI SCHÜTZ at an early stage. The consequences were an increase in productivity, shorter manufacturing times and an even higher precision of all restorations created in his lab. These advantages along with an individual service for the patients and their support from the viewpoint of a dental technician have become key factors of Mr. Reil’s professional success. Mr. Reil’s speech expressed what participant Reinhard Stegert (Dentallabor Handrich, Selb/Germany) had also experienced: “By putting our focus on the zebris System we have a made a good reputation for ourselves. We were assisted, not least of all, by the excellent MANI SCHÜTZ network. Rudolf Reil’s opinions are very close to my own.”
Successful Digital Workflow on 335 sqm
By consequently following the Complete Digital Workflow with CAD/CAM components (MANI SCHÜTZ) and the new trend “tactile scanning for the production of telescopic crowns”, MDT Niels Hedtke and MDT Tim Dittmar demonstrated the prospects of a concept combined with the adequate equipment. They founded their own dental lab in Butzbach/Germany in 2014. And their success proves them right: After only three years, they expanded their lab space to 335 sqm. Their presentation included details on tactile scanning with the Renishaw Scanner (MANI SCHÜTZ has exclusive Germany-wide distribution rights). In addition, the two young and successful dental technicians presented a case file of an implant-supported telescopic restoration. By that point, everyone in the audience had realized: “It is hardly possible to create a higher level of precision!” Michael Berke (HAL-Dent) drew his personal conclusion from this presentation: “I very much like these innovative digital concepts!”
Positioning a lab as a trademark
Ludwig Prücklmaier from Ebersberg/Germany has positioned his lab as a trademark. Once the CAD/CAM technology had gained more importance in the production of dental restorations, the lab owner adjusted his work processes accordingly. Already at an early stage, Mr. Prücklmaier found himself a pioneer of digital technologies. He presented a digitally manufactured full denture, based upon data from intra-oral scans. Thanks to optimized interfaces, this data is transferred directly to the Tizian Creativ RT CAD-Software. Mr. Prücklmaier’s secret of success: Saving time. With the new technology, the patient receives a full denture with an exceptional fit after only three sessions, while the conventional procedure made five sessions necessary. What’s more, Mr. Prücklmaier’s lab is specialized on CLEARsplint bite splints which are also produced with MANI SCHÜTZ’s Digital Workflow. When compared to conventionally produced splints made from hard acrylic, the CAD/CAM-manufactured splints offer the significant advantage of thermoactive flexibility which makes them stress-free and provides a better wearing comfort for the patient.
DFC Concept for interference-free restorations
MDT Peter Kappert and Dr. M. Sc. Andreas Adamzik showed the audience how dentists and dental technicians can detect oral dysfunctions and offer interference-free restorations with the softwares DFC and ZT-Connect. “DFC stands for ‘Dynamic Function Control’. Primarily, this dental analysis software identifies individual and dynamic chewing movements as well as dysfunctions.” Dr. Adamzik explained. This is done by calculating the occlusal grinding patterns on human teeth. Peter Kappert stated that this practice/lab concept facilitates the transfer of a static and dynamic occlusion to the occlusal surface free of interference. This way, the concept secures the occlusion for the patient in prosthetics, filling therapy and orthodontics.
Restorations that fit
Dr. Jürgen Reitz, CMD Specialist, is convinced that an interference-free restoration can be adjusted exactly to the actual oral situation of a patient. He introduced zebris JMAnalyser+ jaw registration system (64 bit version) with the zebris coupling tray (distribution by MANI SCHÜTZ) as the latest generation of 3D jaw movement analysis. The software module “Real Movement Tool” makes it possible to record the patient’s real jaw movements. Any data collected is transferred to the digital world (planning and design phase) by means of the Tizian Creativ RT CAD Software. This data assists the dental technician in creating splints, temporaries and final restorations with a perfect fit to the patient’s oral situation. The individual data of the patient is used by the Tizian CAM machines (MANI SCHÜTZ) to mill the restoration, thus giving the patient a healthy, comfortable and interference-free occlusion.
The digital workflow is a circle
In a time when many manufacturers still cling to closed CAD/CAM systems and high license fees, Dr. Joachim von Cieminski (ic med) is nevertheless convinced that open systems are the future. With this in mind, ic med developed the intra-oral scanner Carestream which combines ergonomics, high precision and saving time. Dr. von Cieminski introduced the time-saving procedure which included setting in a temporary eggshell veneer without any loss of time – A simple process that can be implemented into any practice or lab concept without a great effort. Already today, it is an inherent part of the digital workflow by MANI SCHÜTZ.
With just one mouseclick
A crucial part of the presentation by Michael Kohnen (exocad GmbH) were the new features of the software exocad 5.2. With this update, dental technicians are provided with decisive additional opitions, such as an automatic tooth placement, an improved interactive design of cement gaps, copying respectively mirroring tooth morphologies, design of virtual gingiva, virtual wax-up, a more flexible abutment design and much more. Michael Kohnen also presented further highlights: two new articulators as well as order forms with an improved layout. Users were being promised the possibility to fully implement zebris data – a new feature that will be launched at the IDS 2017. From then on, the data of jaw movements can be uploaded to the Tizian Creativ RT CAD software (MANI SCHÜTZ).
Digital: The question is not “if” – but “how much of it?”
To make a positioning strategy economically successful, a detailed profitability analysis is required. The main question is whether the purchase of a complete CAD/CAM system would actually help achieving positive profit contributions. Diplom-Betriebswirt (MBA) Werner Weidhüner exemplified in nine steps how labs can improve their productivity with help of the digital workflow and thus increase their profit significantly. Based upon this, the lab owner can make a decision on the best system for his lab. “If the overall change in profit turns out too low or even negative, you can simulate the numbers with the system configuration for the next smaller system.” Mr. Weidhühner emphasized. Most of all, however, it is important that lab owners are open towards digitalization and that they implement it into their lab conceptions.
The lab of the future will strive to expand its business segment
Lawyer Dr. Karl-Heinz Schnieder presented how the anti-corruption law that was passed in June 2016 can actually provide opportunities for a lab owner. The lab of the future can expand its business segment by technological innovation, patient care and patient acquisition, by building up local practice networks as well as by ‘dental lab consulting’. “The fields of activity of dental labs are extensive, and the only thing that is important, is that the basic legal conditions are adhered to.” Dr. Schnieder stated. As a basis for a successful cooperation, Dr. Schnieder recommends a written agreement on cooperation terms as well as on right of use of premises and machines. Such an agreement will smooth the day-to-day cooperation between dentist and dental technician.
Digital technologies become ‘added value’
A priority issue in the speech of Prof. Dr. Bernd Kordaß (University of Greifswald/Germany) was making a vision of a networking digital dentistry and dental technology come true with CAD/CAM technology. In this respect, digital technologies offer an ‘added value’, especially in rehabilitation of functional occlusion. With help of the virtual articulator in the zebris JMAnalyser+ system, the dentist can watch the actual movements of scanned teeth ‘live’ on screen. This makes an analysis for optimal rehabilitation very simple for the dentist. With the smooth connection to the Tizian Creativ RT CAD software, technology has taken a major step. Conclusion by Prof. Dr. Kordaß: In the interest of the patient, a superior occlusal dimension can be reached with a consistently function-oriented workflow between dental practice and dental lab.
Teeth as a part of the bigger picture
With his practice concept, Dr. Reinhard Nölting pursues the motto “See a patient’s teeth as a part of the bigger picture”. Especially outside stress is one of the significant factors that cause jaw dysfunction. By means of a modified Meersseman Test and a CMD questionnaire, diagnostics are simple and quickly established. Dr. Nölting presented his 4-step therapy for craniomandibular dysfunction: Becoming aware of psychological components, selective elimination of muscular tension by a physiotherapist and functional splint therapy. A continuous adjustment of the splints and, if necessary, a prosthetic treatment lead to a continuous stabilization of the mandible position. This is the ‘ideal condition’ to be reached.
Elegant and biological
The regeneration and preservation of periodontal tissue structures by means of orthodontic extrusion techniques was the topic of Dr. Stefan Neumeyer’s presentation of the ‘Tissue Master Concept’. This extrusion therapy which is easy to apply by dentists and does not require any special surgical skills, was specially developed by Dr. Neumeyer. The resorption of the buccal bone lamella is counteracted with help of biotechnology in a minimally invasive procedure with virtually no pain for the patient. With a shorter treatment time than in comparable methods, the dental alveole is fully preserved and a regeneration of all alveolar structures can be reached. Dr. Neumeyer presented the ‘Tissue Master Concept’ as a successful therapy concept for the dental practice, to prepare implant sites optimally.
Together with MANI SCHÜTZ and IMPLA, Dr. Neumeyer already offers training courses for his concept.
Dental 4.0
‘Personalized Medicine is a magic term of the future.’ – in times of increasing digitalization of dentistry and dental technology, Prof. Dr. Richter selected this ‘innovative’ topic for his presentation. What followed, was a large amount of information on innovations which have made their way into society. Prof. Dr. Richter spoke of an increasing “decentralization of diagnostics – one-drop diagnostics, pharmacogenomics and blood sampling chips – they all seem like visions of the future.” However, according to the speaker, these are not only visions any longer. Health Apps, eHealth and telemedicine have already been integrated into our daily lives which means that “after all, the progress in computer engineering produced alternative technologies for medicine.” This presentation inspired Daniel Oancea (Oancea Dental Lab, Nuremberg/Germany) – he felt that this was “a crucial moment regarding the development of the healthcare industry and Dental 4.0. I feel confirmed on my path as an innovative lab”.
To be different than others is the recurring theme in the 2. CAD/CAM-Event. The organizers were highly satisfied and concluded that their event format is well appreciated by their customers.
