There are many reasons that a dental practice may require a quick turnaround time for lab work. With patients expecting ever-faster results, it can be challenging for dental professionals to meet their needs. Growing demand for precision and speed from dental labs means that dental technicians in turn need to focus on making internal processes more accurate and more efficient. There are a number of areas that labs might consider reviewing to meet these aims:
Staff training
In order to continuously improve the quality of work and increase productivity, dental technicians should regularly receive training related to daily work in the lab as well as new techniques and technologies that may assist their workflows. A team that is highly skilled and well trained in the systems they use will be able to manage increasing demands more effectively.[i]
Efficient communication
Communication between members of the dental lab team can be the key to avoiding errors and improving workflows. Updating colleagues on project progress in real time is an important way to avoid problems cropping up, as all the necessary information is available to all when it is needed.i
Adoption of advanced technology
Adoption of advanced technology Adopting new technology is an excellent way to optimise processes in the dental lab, with modern solutions able to improve accuracy of fabricated prostheses whilst also speeding up workflows.i Recent innovations which have drastically altered the way the dental lab works include 3D printing and milling machines. This technology has become more accessible in recent years, enabling technicians to quickly and efficiently produce prostheses and surgical guides.
Implementing a digital workflow
A digital workflow can radically change a dental lab’s daily practices. In many cases, it can make workflows more efficient, make the team more productive, and enable enhanced collaboration both internally and externally. In order to implement a digital workflow in the dental lab, technicians must create or obtain a digital impression of the patient’s dentition. Intraoral scanners have risen in popularity amongst the dental profession in recent years as a result and, although considered by some to be more convenient, intraoral scans can have inaccuracies caused by gaps or holes in the image mesh, making them less effective for more complex treatment plans.
Research suggests that, particularly in edentulous patients, intraoral scanners can be inaccurate which will result in issues when it comes to denture retention. The most significant discrepancies arise when recording the compressible mucosal surfaces.[ii]
A hybrid workflow solution
Because of these disadvantages, some dental professionals have decided not to adopt intraoral scanners, or not to use them for more complex treatment. This means that some are missing out on the benefits that digital dental workflows afford, particularly when it comes to digital planning, communication/collaboration, and speed. However, there is an alternative way to access the best of both worlds.
In cases where traditional impressions are more appropriate, the next generation digital scanner from Mimetrik is the ideal solution. The Cubit360, due to be unveiled at the IDS in Cologne, enables everybody involved in the clinical pathway to save time whilst maximising the accuracy of their digital work.
Unlike previous generations of digital scanner, the Cubit360 is portable and can be used chairside in the dental practice if needed. The Cubit360 does not require the scan object to be clamped, instead, the dentist can take an impression, and rather than posting it to the dental lab, the impression (or denture if a copy denture is required) can be scanned immediately in the practice and the scan sent directly to the laboratory.
In the dental laboratory, the Cubit360 offers an extremely quick and efficient method of scanning both impressions and models. A full six axes of scanning freedom and the ability to scan without clamping the scan object means set-up time is hugely reduced and all scans, including articulated models, can be carried out in a fraction of the time taken using conventional lab scanners.
Particularly important for busy or growing dental labs who would like to increase their productivity, implementing an effective digital workflow can be the step you need to take to make a difference. Choosing equipment carefully is important for ensuring you have the most appropriate solution for your unique needs. Finding practical ways to save time are essential when it comes to successfully digitising your workflow.
For more information about Mimetrik, please visit https://mimetrik.co.uk/
Author: Alyn Morgan
Alyn Morgan qualified from the University of Leeds School of Dentistry in 1995. He worked in general dental practice for 12 years and undertook his postgraduate training in Endodontics at the Eastman Dental Institute, where he was awarded an MSc with Distinction in 2009.
He worked as the Director of Endodontic CPD at the Eastman for several years and is currently Endodontic Teaching Lead at the Leeds Dental Institute, whilst maintaining a specialist endodontic practice at U Dentistry in Ilkley.
He has presented well over 200 hands-on courses in endodontics, lectured nationally and internationally as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences and study days and acted as a key opinion leader and adviser to several multi-national dental companies.
He is the immediate Past President of the British Endodontic Society, and the co-founder and CEO of a spin-out company from the University of Leeds, Mimetrik Solutions. The company develops innovative clinician-led solutions in the field of digital dentistry, and to date has attracted over £3.5m in grant funding and investment.
[i] SOI Digital. How to optimize processes in a dental laboratory to improve productivity. Accessed Jan 25. https://soidigital.cl/en/how-to-optimize-processes-in-a-dental-laboratory-to-improve-productivity/
[ii] Srivastava G, Padhiary SK, Mohanty N, Molinero-Mourelle P, Chebib N. Accuracy of Intraoral Scanner for Recording Completely Edentulous Arches-A Systematic Review. Dent J (Basel). 2023 Oct 18;11(10):241. doi: 10.3390/dj11100241. PMID: 37886926; PMCID: PMC10605168.
