Webinar Recap with Dr. Clint D. Stevens

Digital dentistry is no longer optional—it’s inevitable.

That was the central message from Dr. Clint D. Stevens in this in-depth webinar on in-office manufacturing, 3D printing, and chairside milling. Hosted by Trusted Dental Technologies, the session broke down what’s real, what’s hype, and how practices should think about investing in digital workflows today.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the biggest insights—and what they mean for your practice in 2026 and beyond.

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The Big Shift: Why In-Office Manufacturing Matters

Dr. Stevens opened with a simple but powerful reality:

Dentistry is either digital—or about to be.

From diagnostics and treatment planning to design and manufacturing, every step of the modern workflow is now digitally driven .

Bringing manufacturing in-house—whether through 3D printing or milling—gives practices:

• More control over outcomes
• Faster turnaround times
• Reduced dependence on labs
• Increased profitability
• Fewer complications

At its core, this shift isn’t about technology—it’s about control.

Understanding the Digital Workflow (CAD/CAM Simplified)

No matter what system you use, every digital workflow follows the same structure:

1. Data Acquisition

Intraoral scan, CBCT, or desktop scan

2. Design

CAD software creates the restoration or appliance

3. Manufacturing Preparation

CAM/slicer software prepares the file

4. Production

Mill or 3D printer fabricates the final product

This standardized workflow applies across all digital dentistry applications, whether you're printing a surgical guide or milling a crown.

3D Printing in Dentistry: What’s Real vs Hype

Dr. Stevens gave one of the most valuable frameworks of the webinar:

What’s “Legit” Today

These applications are proven, efficient, and widely adopted:

• Surgical guides
• Printed models
• Hybrid provisionals (All-on-X)
• Smile design mockups

“Integrating scanning, design, and 3D printing is absolutely best-in-class today.”

What’s “Legit-ish”

• Splints
• Dentures

These are clinically viable, but results depend heavily on:

• Material selection
• Printer quality
• Post-processing workflow

What’s Still “Hype”

• Printed crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers

Despite rapid innovation, Dr. Stevens made it clear:

Current printed restorative materials lack long-term clinical evidence and performance consistency

Key limitations:

• Poor polishability
• Wear resistance concerns
• Limited long-term data

Why You Should Still Start Printing Now

Even with limitations, Dr. Stevens strongly encourages adoption:

• Low barrier to entry
• Ideal for learning digital workflows
• Prepares your team for future advancements
• Replaces outdated stone model workflows

Key insight:
Start with low-risk applications (models, guides) and scale from there.

The Reality of 3D Printing Workflows

Printing isn’t “plug-and-play”—it requires a process:

The 4-Step Printing Workflow:

1. Design + Slicing
2. Printing
3. Washing (IPA cleaning)
4. Curing

This introduces:

• Space requirements
• Material handling
• Workflow complexity

As Dr. Stevens bluntly put it—printing can be a “hot, sticky mess” if not properly managed.

Milling: The Backbone of Restorative Dentistry

If printing is the gateway, milling is the workhorse.

Dr. Stevens emphasized that most dentists don’t realize:

👉 You’re already using milling—just through the lab.

Today, milling is used for:

• Zirconia crowns
• Lithium disilicate restorations
• Implant components
• Even gold crowns (with exceptional fit)

Debunking the Biggest Myth About Chairside Milling

Many clinicians still believe:

“Chairside CAD/CAM doesn’t fit as well as lab work.”

Dr. Stevens directly challenged this:

👉 The issue isn’t the technology—it’s the operator.

Fit is determined by:

• Prep quality
• Scan accuracy
• Workflow execution

“It has way less to do with what you’re using than who’s using it.”

Materials Matter More Than Machines

One of the most critical takeaways:

Not all materials are created equal

1. Resin Ceramic Hybrids

• Easy to mill
• Good short-term performance
• Can degrade over time (water absorption)

2. Lithium Disilicate (e.g., e.max)

• Strong clinical data
• Excellent esthetics
• Proven long-term success (10–15+ years)

3. Zirconia (Monolithic)

• Extremely strong
• Increasingly aesthetic
• Strength varies by composition

⚠️ Important nuance:
More aesthetic zirconia = lower fracture toughness

Printing vs Milling: The Strategic Takeaway

Dr. Stevens didn’t position this as either/or.

Instead:

Printing = Entry + Efficiency

• Models
• Guides
• Appliances

Milling = Clinical Restorations

• Crowns
• Onlays
• Long-term restorations

The Real ROI: Control, Time, and Profitability

The biggest benefit of in-office manufacturing isn’t just speed—it’s control over your business.

Practices that adopt digital workflows can:

• Eliminate lab delays
• Increase case acceptance
• Deliver same-day dentistry
• Improve margins significantly

In fact, single-visit CAD/CAM workflows consistently outperform traditional two-visit models financially

The Hidden Key to Success: Support & Training

Technology alone isn’t enough.

Dr. Stevens emphasized:

• Training is critical
• Team adoption is a challenge
• After-sales support is non-negotiable

“You need to know whoever sells you that scanner has your back.”

Final Takeaways: What Dentists Should Do Next

If you’re evaluating printing and milling in 2026, here’s the practical path forward:

Start with Printing if:

• You want low-cost entry into digital
• You need models or surgical guides
• You want to train your team

Invest in Milling if:

• You want same-day dentistry
• You prioritize restorative workflows
• You want maximum ROI

Focus on:

• Workflow integration (not just hardware)
• Material selection
• Team training
• Open vs closed systems

The Bottom Line

Digital dentistry isn’t about replacing what you already do.

It’s about doing it better, faster, and with more control.

Practices that embrace both printing and milling strategically will be the ones that:

• Scale faster
• Deliver better patient experiences
• Win in an increasingly digital-first industry

Ready to bring printing or milling into your practice?

Voxel Dental helps you evaluate, implement, and optimize the right digital workflow—without the guesswork.

👉 Talk to a digital workflow specialist today
👉 See live demos of printing and chairside milling solutions
👉 Build a system that actually works in your practice