Search
Search Cart
I/O SCANNERS CAD/CAM MILLING

SAME-DAY RESTORATIONS DIGITAL WORKFLOW: From Intraoral Scanning to In-Office Milling

Joe Andrasko
Joe Andrasko
digital dentistry

One of the most transformative innovations in dentistry is the fully digital workflow, where practices can now seamlessly integrate intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM design, and in-office milling to create precise, same-day restorations. For practices looking to maximize efficiency, reduce patient wait times, and improve overall outcomes, mastering this digital workflow is essential.

Today, we’ll explore how dental practices can optimize the entire digital workflow—from the initial intraoral scan to the final milling of restorations—providing tips for each step of the process to enhance productivity and patient satisfaction.

1. Intraoral Scanning: The Foundation of a Digital Workflow

The journey to a successful digital restoration begins with capturing an accurate digital impression using an intraoral scanner. This technology has replaced traditional physical impressions, which are often uncomfortable for patients and prone to errors.

Instead, intraoral scanners create high-resolution, 3D images of the patient’s teeth and soft tissues, providing a more precise and comfortable experience.

Optimizing the Intraoral Scanning Process:

  • Choose the Right Scanner: Selecting the best intraoral scanner for your practice is key to success. Look for features such as fast scan speeds, high accuracy, and seamless integration with CAD/CAM and milling systems. Top options include scanners from companies like 3Shape and Medit and trendy newcomers like Alliedstar.

  • Staff Training: Ensure that your staff is well-trained in using the intraoral scanner. Efficient scanning techniques lead to quicker appointments and more accurate results. Training should focus on scanning speed, capturing difficult angles, and minimizing patient discomfort.

  • Ensure Proper Lighting and Moisture Control: Poor lighting or excess moisture in the patient’s mouth can compromise the quality of the scan. Implementing proper isolation techniques and ensuring the operatory is well-lit can lead to higher-quality scans with fewer retakes.

2. CAD/CAM Software: Designing the Restoration

Once the digital impression is captured, the next step is to use CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software to design the restoration.

The software takes the scanned data and allows the dentist or technician to create a precise 3D model of the restoration, whether it’s a crown, bridge, veneer, or inlay/onlay.

Tips for Optimizing CAD/CAM Design:

  • Integration with Scanning and Milling Systems: Choose a CAD software platform that integrates seamlessly with your intraoral scanner and milling machine. This reduces the risk of file conversion errors and ensures a smooth workflow. Software solutions like CEREC, Planmeca Romexis, and exocad offer powerful design tools and smooth integration.

  • Leverage AI-Assisted Design Features: Many CAD/CAM systems now offer AI-driven features that assist in designing restorations automatically based on the patient’s anatomy. These tools can reduce the time spent on manual adjustments while ensuring that the restoration fits perfectly.

  • Customize for Esthetics and Function: Ensure that you are not only designing for fit but also optimizing for esthetics and functionality. Use the software’s customization options to match the restoration to the patient’s natural teeth in terms of color, shape, and occlusion.

3. In-Office Milling: Bringing Your Design to Life

With the restoration design complete, the next step is to send the digital file to your in-office milling machine for fabrication. In-office milling allows practices to offer same-day restorations, greatly reducing the time between diagnosis and delivery, which is a significant advantage for both the practice and the patient.

Maximizing Efficiency in In-Office Milling:

  • Choose the Right Milling Machine: There are several excellent milling machines on the market, such as those that specialize in dental solutions such as Roland and vhf that cater to various practice needs. Choose a machine that can handle the range of materials you use (e.g., zirconia, porcelain blocks eg. VITABLOCS, composite resin) and that fits your practice’s volume demands.

  • Material Selection: Different materials are suited for different types of restorations. For instance, zirconia is ideal for posterior crowns due to its strength, while porcelain provides superior esthetics for anterior restorations. Make sure to stock a variety of materials so you can meet the needs of each case.

  • Tool and Bur Maintenance: Maintaining your milling machine’s tools and burs is essential for precision and efficiency. Regularly inspect and replace worn tools to prevent inaccuracies in the milled restorations. A well-maintained machine also reduces the risk of downtime due to mechanical failure.

  • Monitor the Milling Process: Even with advanced automation, it’s important to supervise the milling process to ensure everything runs smoothly. Catching potential errors early, such as material defects or machine calibration issues, can save time and prevent remakes.

4. Finishing and Polishing the Restoration

Once the milling process is complete, the final step is to finish and polish the restoration. Depending on the material used, this may involve adding custom stains and glazes, adjusting the fit, and polishing the surface for a smooth, natural appearance.

Tips for Efficient Finishing:

  • Use High-Quality Finishing Tools: The right polishing discs, brushes, and stains are essential for achieving a high-quality finish. Make sure your practice is stocked with high-quality finishing products tailored to the material you are working with.

  • Surface Adaptation: Check for any minor adjustments needed for fit and occlusion before cementation. Small tweaks at this stage can prevent patient discomfort and improve the overall outcome of the restoration.

  • Minimize Remakes: Careful attention to each step in the workflow—from scanning to milling—reduces the likelihood of errors, minimizing the need for remakes and saving valuable time.

5. Patient Communication and Satisfaction

A key benefit of an optimized digital workflow is the ability to involve patients in the process. Patients appreciate the convenience of same-day restorations and are more likely to accept treatment plans when they can see the technology in action.

Enhancing Patient Experience:

  • Showcase the Technology: Educate patients on the technology used in their treatment by showing them their intraoral scans and explaining how their restoration is designed and milled in-office. This transparency fosters trust and engagement.

  • Same-Day Service: Patients appreciate the convenience of receiving a restoration in a single visit. Highlight the benefits of same-day service in your consultations to increase treatment acceptance and patient satisfaction.

Elevating Your Practice with a Fully Optimized Digital Workflow

A fully optimized digital workflow, from intraoral scanning to in-office milling, enhances productivity, reduces treatment times, and elevates patient satisfaction. By investing in the right technology and ensuring that your team is well-trained in its use, you can streamline your practice’s operations and offer cutting-edge care that keeps your patients coming back.

Whether you’re new to digital dentistry or looking to enhance your existing processes, embracing this technology offers countless benefits, from same-day restorations to cost savings, ultimately positioning your practice for long-term success in an increasingly competitive field.

READY TO GET STARTED? REACH OUT!

We have a team of dental technology experts ready to help you find the right equipment for your practice, including our resident expert -  Milling Sales Director, Joe Andrasko.

We’ve worked with thousands of dentists across the US. We know what it takes to get up and running quickly, especially with new technology. 

That’s why we back all of our products with a comprehensive warranty, product support, installation, and perhaps, most importantly, online and on-site training to help get you and your staff started with your new technology as quickly as possible.

Ready to begin? Give us a call at (281) 789-7270 or fill out an online inquiry form below. We look forward to earning your business.

QUESTIONS? ASK AN EXPERT!

Joe Andrasko

Joe Andrasko

Follow me on LinkedIn

Joe Andrasko is the Milling Sales Manager here at Voxel Dental, our expert in all things Dental Milling. Joe brings more than 18 years of experience in the dental technology industry, with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively guide and advise practitioners on digital imaging and CAD/CAM technology decisions. Joe started his career in the dental field. He started at Carestream Dental in 2005 as a technical solutions engineer where he not only built up a strong base of experience and expertise in digital x-ray imaging, but also the expectations and needs of customers. Joe continued to become the Director of Product Management for Carestream Dental’s imaging portfolio, including the CAD/CAM solutions portfolio and Dental Imaging Software. In this role, Andrasko monitored quality assurance processes, regulatory concerns, customer service, as well as internal and external documentation and training. He also served as the voice of the customer throughout the development process. Most recently prior to working at Voxel, he served as Vice President of Business Development for 3DISC’s industry leading digital impression solutions. In this role, Joe oversaw departments where he was responsible for delivering solution-focused training programs and service to customers. Joe attended the Georgia Institute of Technology studying Electrical Engineering and currently lives in the Metro Atlanta area.