Our blood pressure elevates slightly, a small imperceptible bead of sweat pops out somewhere, and our pulse quickens slightly.
Is this going to fit? How will it look? Is the occlusion going to be right? How much adjusting am I going to have to do? Are the contours right? What about those interproximal contacts?
These are the questions that drive dentists absolutely crazy! It seems to make our jobs less fun, less enjoyable, unpredictable, frustrating, maddening— okay, okay, I'll stop there!
Whether you've been practicing for one day or for 30 years plus, when it comes time to seat that crown, veneer, onlay, or inlay, I know you hold your breath. (Be honest; nobody's going to know if you're not.) Our blood pressure elevates slightly, a small imperceptible bead of sweat pops out somewhere, and our pulse quickens slightly.
Is this going to fit? How will it look? Is the occlusion going to be right? How much adjusting am I going to have to do? Are the contours right? What about those interproximal contacts?
These are the questions that drive dentists absolutely crazy! It seems to make our jobs less fun, less enjoyable, unpredictable, frustrating, maddening— okay, okay, I'll stop there!
After practicing—literally practicing —for about 15 years (I've been in practice 22 years), I finally got to the point with my lab that I was quite comfortable with their quirks, idiosyncrasies, and limitations—and mine, too. I respected their work, always "made" things work, and took the blame if something didn't work out (just ask them!). I had remakes, and as you know, those remakes took all the profit out of doing that restoration. The lab did a great job making a crown to fit that model, but it was only as precise as the model, impression, casting, firing, etc., and a lot of it depended on me giving them something they could work with. I still work with and support them, but in different ways, and only because there is something better that solves many of the frustrations with crowns, onlays, inlays, and veneers (prep-less or prepped).
CAD/CAM technology is here to make your practice more predictable, more profitable, more fun and much more than this space allows. It is also here to stay! I chose the E4D Dentist System and it's probably the largest and best investment I've ever made for my practice, my patients, and for my enjoyment of dentistry.
My Top Ten Important Points About the E4D Dentist System. You don't have to wonder if your restoration made with the E4D will "fit." Prep for clear margins, scan (without the need for powder), and design and mill your restoration. There's no more holding your breath when you seat the restoration.
It's time to start practicing in the digital age and stop being a blacksmith. The digital revolution is here, it's not going away, and you couldn't pick a better, more solid company than D4D Technologies (Richardson, TX; manufacturer of the E4D Dentist System). An investment in this level of technology flourishes when an incredibly close relationship exists between the owner (you), the manufacturer (D4D Technologies), and the distributor (Henry Schein Dental). Remember, you're not buying a new composite to try out. The E4D is here to stay and D4D is constantly finding new ways to be innovative in the dental industry.
You're now in the driver's seat!
No more wasted time writing lab slips, taking impressions, communicating special needs, working with lab schedules, and such. You'll be more profitable, provide a better service, excite your staff, enjoy your work more, fascinate your patients, and attract clients who have heard about the technology.
You'll be providing solutions you could never have accomplished with a lab.
I cannot tell you how many times I've been a hero to a patient when something unexpected happened, and I was able to solve it—all because I had the E4D at my fingertips. If they weren't my patients before, they are now (for life!)—and they'll tell everyone how I saved their day, trip, wedding, etc. Very gratifying!
Scared of the computer? Don't be. Training at E4D University is excellent, and you can decide on any number of ways to utilize the E4D in your office, whether you delegate its operation to the staff or do it yourself. I was like a kid in the candy store when I first got the E4D in my hands at a preview at the D4D campus, and again at my initial training there. I'll bet you will be, too. (OK, I might be a closet computer geek, but it's not a requirement or even a necessity.) Regardless, the training is a requirement for you and a staff member and all accommodations are included in the cost of the machine.
You'll be ahead of the curve without being the "first one out."
Being on the cutting edge isn't all it's cracked up to be, but you won't be on that edge anymore. This is solid territory. It's proven, it works, it's reliable, and it's only going to get better. In the two years I've owned the E4D, I still get excited when a new update comes out!
Work on multiple units without having to seat one crown before going on to the rest.
For you "heavy-hitters" out there, yes, you can do a full mouth "rehab" all at once, if you so choose. For those who enjoy making a batch of veneers, visualize the whole case at once—even have your patient preview it. Amazing. Patients getting veneers in one day used to be reserved only for those doctors who charged a fortune and had a lab tech on-site. Not anymore! You can offer this great service now, designing up to 16 units simultaneously with E4D's intuitive DentaLogic™ software.
You can make world-class crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers, and "prep-less" veneers with the best materials available today.
You can take your dentistry to a whole new level that you may never have achieved with your lab, because YOU control every element of the restoration. The IPS e.max CAD material (lithium disilicate) by Ivoclar Vivadent is the material of choice (just ask Gordon), but you have plenty of other choices to suit your needs as well from D4D's partners, 3M ESPE and Ivoclar Vivadent, and reliable diamond burs exclusively from Premier Dental.
You're never alone.
Not only does D4D Technologies have their S.O.S. (Support-on-Sight) service if you get stuck, have a question, or need advice, they also have ongoing advanced training courses for those who have got to have it all. They're available 7am to 7pm CST, Monday through Friday via a tollfree number, and soon by VOIS™ (Voice Over Internet Support via Bluetooth® technology; Q1 2010). My calls are handled within 10 seconds 95% of the time I've called them when faced with a challenge. That means when you're working chairside with the patient and, perhaps, you have a brain lapse, they can even take over your system live over the Internet, talking with you at the same time and helping you get the job done without any loss of momentum. And, all E4D owners are welcome to be a part of their special online community just for ECO members (E4D Clinical Operators) where you can communicate with other users on the ECO forum and download useful resources.
No membership fees, no upgrade costs, great warranty.
You never have to worry about your system working optimally (quarterly maintenance visits are part of the purchase price), software upgrades are complimentary, and you can count on their support and commitment one hundred percent.
Take the time to do your "due diligence," learn about the E4D (go ahead – compare it to the competitor!), and most importantly…get your hands on one! Then, be prepared to be able to do things you never dreamed you could do.
Don Deems, DDS, FAGD is known as The Dentist's Coach®, and is a 22-year practicing dentist and professional life and business coach. Listed by Dentistry Today for the last 5 years as a Top Leader in Continuing Education, Dr. Deems speaks and lectures on a variety of topics highly valued by dentists and their teams. You can visit his Web site, www.drdondeems.com, for more information.