Digital Drivers In Your Practice

(In this week’s blog Dr. Jay Burton discusses digital dental technology)

Technology is racing at a faster pace we see it everywhere: drones are available at any chain drugstore, driverless cars are coming, and CBCT imaging is rapidly becoming the industry’s new PA. Yet there are still dentists who have not made the switch from film to digital dentistry. Employing digital dentistry in a practice allows a doctor to see things clearer, provides a significant cost savings when compared to film-based radiography, and most importantly there are significant radiation dose reductions that can be achieved.

Dr. Jay Burton is a practicing orthodontist, who did some serious investigation to determine the right equipment and services to help him build his practice. Here’s what Dr. Burton discovered.

To start with 2D or go with 3D? I decided to invest in imaging first because I believe 3D Radiograph provides the greater benefit to patients. Many orthodontists chose to invest in CAD/CAM first, specifically intraoral scans. Though this is certainly a practice builder to promote your office as an impression less office. Some dentists start with an upgradeable 2D system like a Planmeca ProMax® 2D.S3

I strongly feel that it's absolutely necessary for this day and age to practice with 3D radiography. I believe there is no doubt that the use of CBCT improves patient care and safety. Certainly, there may be individuals that will argue against this statement, however with the additional amount of information visible by using 3D technology and getting it from a lower patient radiation dose (compared to a 2D pan and especially film) I feel 3D imaging will eventually become the new standard.

Select the right equipment. After careful evaluation of the CBCT systems available, I determined Planmeca’s Ultra-Low Dose Technology (offers a true ultra low-dose feature) makes it possible (with a Planmeca ProMax® 3D) to take a full scan of a patient (in 3D) at a lower radiation dose than traditional 2D radiography. The combination of real ULD with selectable volume size and Planmeca’s SCARA (Selectively Compliant Articulating Robotic Arm) technology, flexibility with FOV, and the ability to follow the ALARA (now) ALADA (As Low As Diagnostically Achievable) safety principle confirmed my selection.

In the next blog, Dr. Burton will talk about software advancements he has experience with that enhance patient care and drastically improves his work flow and reduces frustration.

Dr. Jay Burton is a practicing orthodontist and a Key Opinion Leader for Planmeca.