A Change for the Better: CAD/CAM Milling and Imaging Systems

Dr. Chris Bryant from Sook, BC spoke with Dr. John O’Keefe about a “change for the better” he made to his practice. In 2009, Dr. Bryant introduced CAD-CAM and milling in the office and has enjoyed it ever since.

It was a slow adoption process, but well worth it. Patients have embraced this change as they are not limited by anything other than their creativity or Dr. Bryant’s. Dr. Bryant is able to provide more timely and conservative services for patients as he can offer partial coverage as well as full coverage options including 3-4 unit bridges and implant-retained crowns. Because Dr. Bryant’s practice is in rural BC, patients do not have to wait for laboratory cases and while this has helped to trim the practice’s laboratory bill it has not completely eliminated it.

Clinician’s using CAD-CAM and milling solutions must have a good understanding of adhesive dentistry as well as the myriad of restorative materials that exist and that can be used in various clinical situations. Additionally, soft tissue management is be important to establish soft tissue contours for appropriate emergence profiles. The basic laboratory concepts including: crown emergence, contact areas and shapes, height of contours etc. are also important to incorporate into restoration designs. Cost should no longer be much of a barrier to use as there are various options available on the market, new and used units, and sales representatives may be willing to let a practice try-out a system.