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ePaper created 2015-03-06, 14:42:46 | version 1.33.01
48 I I special _ digital technologies lab and a second appointment at the dentist's for the purpose of incorporation. The finished product is a functional, precision-fit, highly aes- theticdentalrestorationofmastercraftsmanship quality, made in Germany! This new future-oriented method called Baltic DentureSystemusesdigitaltechnologiestomake the production of a full denture economically profitable again for the dental practice and the dental lab, for the first time in years. Despite digi- tisation,marketparticipantsremainthesameand the value adding process takes place within the familiar, implemented structures. _Digital technology as an option for additional business With the aforementioned method of produc- tion and by focusing on a small number of ana- logue processes in the dental lab there is more scope for new lines of business for dental labs. The dental lab of the future will no doubt regard itselfincreasinglyasapartnerandserviceunitfor its dentist and be capable of taking ‘troublesome’ issues off his hands. In addition, the dental lab can manage the data stream for its client to ensure optimal results. Another field of activity that presents itself as a result of digital tech- niques is that of dental aesthetics! One example is the concept of lächeln2go (smile to go), which, with its volunteers, first developed the concept of dental aesthetics as a new line of business. What is impressive is the use of a two-dimensional aesthetics check that makes it easy to record dental status and aesthetic deficits. _Conclusion It remains to be seen who the winners and losers of increasing digitisation will be. The fact is that we are not yet at the end of optimal digital workflow. It is still important to modernise and develop digital processes. However, the opportu- nities are quite clearly in the majority, and due to optimisation in the process chain the resulting work has a higher level of precision achieved in a shorter amount of time. This means firstly that thankstothedecliningproportionofexpenditure accounted for by staff costs per prosthesis it is also becoming possible to increasingly inter- nationalise German dental restoration work. Secondly, scope is being created for new lines of business such as dental aesthetics. The patient too benefitsfromdigitalproduction,whichalsosaves time for him or her. Owing to the use of digital technologiesandoptimisationofvaluechainsthe profitability of hitherto unattractive work is in- creasing again for the dentist and dental techni- cian.Whatismore,inthiswayscopeiscreatedfor additional service offerings, which in turn creates potential for additional business and income. Inspiteofallthedigitisationandvaluechainop- timisation one must not forget that, despite every- thing, direct contact between the dentist, dental technicianandpatientisstillcrucialandimportant for the outcome: aesthetic and functional dental restoration about which the patient is not only satisfied but also enthusiastic in everyday life._ _References 1. Porter ME. The Competitve Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. NY: Free Press 1985 2. Harting D. Wertschöpfung auf neuen Wegen. Beschaf- fung Aktuell 1994; 7:20-22 Figs. 11 &12_BDLoad, after milling process. CAD/CAM 1_2015 Merz Dental GmbH Eetzweg 20 24321 Lütjenburg,Germany info@merz-dental.de / www.merz-dental.de www.baltic-denture-system.de CAD/CAM_contact Fig. 12Fig. 11 CAD0115_42-48_Merz 02.03.15 12:57 Seite 7 CAD0115_42-48_Merz 02.03.1512:57 Seite 7