WEBINAR Recap: Direct Printed Appliances - The Future is Here With Dr. Neil Warshawsky

The following is a recap of the August 2024 webinar "Direct-Printed Appliances - The Future is Here". Featuring speaker Dr. Neil Warshawsky, a Chicago-based Orthodontist and practice owner of Get It Straight Orthodontics who uses the LuxCreo ecosystem for same-day direct-print aligners in his practice.

Watch the full webinar below:

Technological Transformation

Analog to Digital Evolution: Dr. Warshawsky kicked off the webinar by drawing parallels between the transformation in orthodontics and the evolution in the music industry.

Just as the music industry moved from records to A-tracks, then cassettes to CDs, then iPods to MP3s, and finally to streaming services, orthodontics is transitioning from traditional methods to digital and 3D printing technologies.

He emphasized that, much like how music consumption became more efficient and accessible, the adoption of digital technologies in orthodontics makes treatments more efficient, customizable, and patient-friendly. The segment highlighted the necessity of embracing this digital shift to stay competitive and meet patient demands in the modern orthodontic landscape.

3D PRinting "READINESS" Self-Assessment

Dr. Warshawsky addresses the essential questions orthodontists should consider before incorporating 3D printing into their practices.

Clear Aligner Workflow: Traditional Vs DirecT-Print

Traditional Workflow: Dr. Warshawsky estimated that in the typical workflow of creating in-office clear aligners, the thermoformlng plastic method takes 2-3 hours. Just look at the graphic below, in the top row you have all the steps required to complete a clear-aligner case from scan to patient delivery.

In the traditional clear aligner workflow, Dr. Warshawsky also estimates your cost of producing each aligner at $15.87/aligner for fully in-office treatment, and $22-30/aligner for lab orders.

Direct-Printed Workflow: Dr. Warshawsky demonstrated how direct printing reduces these steps by allowing the entire process to be completed in-house. This not only cuts down production time significantly but also reduces waste, as the need for physical molds and additional materials is eliminated. The segment underscored how direct-print aligners offer quicker turnaround times, which can enhance patient satisfaction by enabling same-day or next-day treatment starts.

Here's his comparison on the clear advantages of Direct-Print Aligners:

• Material+Labor Costs 
  • Traditional: $15.87/aligner in-office or $22-30/aligner for lab orders.
  • Direct-Print: $12.47/aligner
• Turnaround Time:
  • Traditional: 2-3 hours minimum. And, if you're an office doing 10, 20, 30 or more aligner cases per week, this time and labor adds up quickly! The more traditional aligners per case, the more work a lab tech is doing in terms of thermoforming, cutting, trimming, etc. We all know in dentistry, time=money!
  • Direct-Print: Sub 2 hours. Meanwhile, with direct-aligner printing, your printer is doing all the heavy lifting so staff are able to do other things during the print time.  This greatly reduces your choke points, streamlining the process to print more aligners versus traditional in office aligners. 
• Ecology/Waste:
  
  • Traditional: Theromoforming produces a lot of waste that's often not recycled. This includes the foil packet of thermo plastic, the plastic that's trimmed from the edges, and the model that's printed will be thrown out as well.
  • Direct-Print: The only waste generated from direct-print aligners is the resin support struts that are cut and removed after printing.
• Thickness Levels:
  • Traditional: Multi-variable thickness is not possible. Additional attachments are required in order to achieve thicker aligners.
  • Direct-Print: Can print successfully in multi-variable thickness. This also produces a fit that's more accurate while less attachments are required to support. 

ROI on Direct-Print Aligners

Orthodontic Relapse Patients: Dr. Warshawsky discussed how many practices regularly see patients needing minor adjustments or retreatment due to relapse. With direct-print aligners, these cases can be addressed more efficiently, increasing the practice’s ability to treat more patients in a shorter time.

Below is a quick calculation displayed by # relapse cases per week:

Calculating ROI: He provided a formulaic approach to calculating ROI, considering factors such as the number of relapse patients treated per week, the cost savings from reduced lab fees, and the potential for increased patient volume due to quicker treatment times. Dr. Warshawsky emphasized that, while the initial investment in 3D printing technology may be substantial, the long-term financial benefits can be significant, particularly for practices with a high volume of orthodontic cases.

Direct-Print Nightguards

Expanding Beyond Aligners: The final segment explored the use of direct-print technology for producing nightguards. Dr. Warshawsky shared his experience in offering direct-printed nightguards as part of his practice’s services.

Efficiency and Precision: Just like aligners, nightguards can be produced quickly and accurately using direct-print technology. The precision offered by 3D printing ensures a better fit, which is critical for patient comfort and effectiveness in preventing bruxism-related issues.

Patient Satisfaction: He noted that patients appreciate the convenience and comfort of receiving high-quality, custom-fit nightguards in a short timeframe. Additionally, offering nightguards as an in-house service can further increase patient loyalty and satisfaction, as it adds another layer of convenience and care.

ROI: The proprietary DNG resin from LuxCreo is uniquely formulated to create direct-print nightguards. If you work with patients who need nightguards, or are trying to kickstart that side of your busienss, Dr. Warshawsky put together on the economics on your potential ROI. 

Case Studies: In-Office Treatments

Dr. Warshawsky adds a section details 4 recent cases where he's used the LuxCreo system to provide same-day clear aligners. Start the video below to see more.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH DIRECT PRINT ALIGNERS

If this wets your appetite to try direct print aligners for your practice, let's talk about how to get started with LuxCreo.

Here at Voxel, we pride ourselves in developing lasting relationships with our customers and connecting them with products we've elaborately tested to ensure the best clinical outcomes.. We're obsessed with the latest digital dental tech, and always strive to offer the very best the market has to offer. Hence, with the growing popularity of direct print aligners, we sought to find the best workflow available at a great value. 

To help doctors get started with the direct print aligner workflow, we've introduced our LuxCreo iLux Pro Dental - Complete Direct Print Aligner Solution. Starting at $20,899 - we've created the full bundle of LuxCreo, with all necessary components for printing same-day clear aligners, from design software to print to wash/cure and resin bottles to get you started.

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

 iLux Pro Dental 3D Printer
 iLuxCure Pro
 iLuxWash Dental
 SepTree Finishing Oven
 LuxFlow Basic Software
 LuxDesign Software 1 Year
 Dental Clear Aligner Resin 500g/Bottle
 Dental Model Resin 1kg/Bottle 

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, 24/7 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.

If you're interested in learning more about LuxCreo and this offer, let us help! Give us a call at (281) 789-7270 or fill out an online inquiry form below. We look forward to earning your business.