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ePaper created 2015-03-06, 14:42:46 | version 1.33.01
see what digital technology is allowing dentists to do. Once designed, the restorations can be imme- diately milled in the office and tried in the patient’s mouth, so a perfect fit and high-quality aesthetics are affirmed at the same appointment. _Digital practice equal green practices SinceCAD/CAMtechnologywasfirstintroduced decades ago, early adopters and technology en- thusiasts have encouraged integration of these systems for various practical and financial reasons. Though generally a substantial initial investment, practices that upgrade to digital technology find that streamlined procedures and happier patients lead to a significant return on investment. But switching to a CAD/CAM system provides an unanticipatedbonus,onewithafarbroaderimpact. Using an in-office CAD/CAM system is one of the most environmentally conscious upgrades a prac- tice can make, offering both concrete and intangi- ble benefits for dental practices, their patients and the greater community. CAD/CAM systems add to a practice’s green im- age with the many small changes they allow the office to implement. For example, now that impres- sions are taken with a digital scanner (PlanScan), traditional impressions—and all their associated materials, such as disposable impression trays, impression material and the water with which it is mixed—are no longer necessary. Clinicians who thought they were only saving money (and storage space) can rest easy at night knowing they’re no longer contributing to the throwaway, disposable culture in many health-care offices. Additionally, because digital impressions can be viewed instantly with software that allows users to see potential errors, any mistakes are quickly averted with a second digital scan that requires no extra materials or waste. It is not uncommon for dentists to take a second traditional impression because of errors caused by saliva or air pockets in theimpressionmaterialortohaveabackuponhand incasethereareproblemsdowntheroad.Overtime, materialwastecreatedusingtraditionalimpression methodsaddsup.Usingdigitaltechnologynotonly streamlines the process but ensures that materials, time and money aren’t wasted. Moreover,becausetraditionalimpressionsaren’t needed with a digital workflow, equipment pre- viously used to perform these procedures, such as a mixing gun for impression material, are also no longer necessary. While clinicians may think they are only saving themselves hassle or time by purchasing an easier-to-use piece of equipment, they’re also saving energy—literally. With digital I 51 opinion _ ecological advantages of CAD/CAM I CAD/CAM 1_2015 Switching to digital systems is beneficial not only to clinicians and patients but to the environment as well. CAD0115_50-53_Strom 02.03.15 13:18 Seite 2 CAD0115_50-53_Strom 02.03.1513:18 Seite 2