CAD/CAM Transforms Practices By Delivering What Patients Want

The open-architecture Planmeca FIT™ system for chairside CAD/CAM is a digital workflow solution that integrates intraoral scanning, 3D designing and chairside milling into a streamlined process. It provides doctors with tools to create and place precision, high-quality restorations in a single-patient visit, and same-day dentistry is something that is a win-win for both patients and practices. Dr. Gary Kaye of Kaye Dentistry in New York City, a Planmeca user, has experienced dramatic growth since adopting the system and said it attracts new patients to his practice.

“Patients ask about same-day restorations,” noted Dr. Kaye. ”They want them. Chairside CAD/CAM alone has added 18% to our bottom line in the last three years.”

Planmeca FIT™ has three steps — digital intraoral scanning, 3D designing and onsite milling. The entire workflow operates on a single software platform, so the imaging and CAD/CAM work is accessible through a single interface.

When dental integration is done right, a practice will experience increased efficiencies.

The Planmeca PlanScan™ intraoral scanner can be integrated with any Planmeca dental unit, used like any other instrument and shared between users. Live scanning data is available from a tablet device, and audio alerts let doctors or their staff members confirm when they’ve captured optimal data.

The Planmeca PlanCAD® design software provides a robust tool for sophisticated 3D designing. Completed designs can either be manufactured onsite with the Planmeca PlanMill® 40 milling unit or sent to a lab in an open STL file format. Although Dr. Kaye mills his single restorations in-house, he still utilizes an outside laboratory for complex, multiple-restoration cases, and the PlanScan has been a game-changer in terms of speed and efficiency.

“With digital intraoral scanning, the patient hasn’t even left the office yet, and the lab has started working on designing the crown! It’s more efficient…there’s no question,” says Dr. Kaye. ”When dental integration is done right, a practice will experience increased efficiencies.”

The Planmeca FIT can produce restorations from a large selection of materials, and according to Dr. Bill Busch of North Kansas City Dental, the system is not just efficient, but in his opinion, it also produces a superior product.

“It takes many steps to produce a crown the traditional way,” explained Dr. Busch,” and now we can do it in a single mouse click right here. I believe the opportunity for error is reduced with fewer steps, so I think it’s actually a better restoration.”

The Planmeca Romexis® software platform is the brains behind the Planmeca ecosystem, and its integration into each phase ensures that the CAD/CAM system runs seamlessly. It helps practices utilize their resources to the fullest and treat more patients in a shorter period of time.

Instead of two visits, patients can be treated the same day — without requiring temporary crowns or physical dental models.

“Our goal is to fit into our patient’s lifestyle and provide dentistry at the speed of their life,” explained Dr. Busch. “And that’s where CAD/CAM comes in.”

In addition to a powerful and intutive platform, Planmeca provides comprehensive training and responsive, ongoing support, so same-day dentistry can be adopted successfully by any practice interested in growing its business and providing patients with cutting-edge, convenient care.