Primescan: The Entry Point to a Thriving Practice
Quick, accurate scans wow patients at the start of their restorative and cosmetic treatment
Marc Zive, DMD, remembers getting his first intraoral scanner back in 2007 when he opened Court Street Family Dentistry in Westfield, MA. He’d been 
practicing dentistry since 1992 and decided to enhance his new practice by adopting a digital workflow. Investing in a Dentsply Sirona intraoral scanner was part of a new beginning.
“I think it was an extreme game-changer, because I was in control of everything,” he recalled. His intraoral scanner would serve as the entry point to a variety of workflows—restorative, implants, and orthodontics. Dr. Zive’s patients, who no longer had to deal with traditional impressions and could view their digital impressions in real time, were immediately impressed. “They liked the efficiency [of the new workflow], and it was something that I strongly marketed,” he said.
Over the years, Dr. Zive upgraded his technology as Dentsply Sirona released new technologies. Today, he uses Primescan, which has taken digital imaging to a more advanced level, producing photorealistic and highly accurate data. “I’ve seen the changes in the scanners over the years. I think what they’ve done with Primescan is make it a little more accurate and easier to get the scans,” he said.
Achieving the Optimal Scan
Primescan uses dynamic depth scan technology to achieve outstanding precision, measuring depth up to 20 mm—a crucial advantage for deeper-lying indications. According to Dentsply Sirona, the system’s unique technology allows for easy capturing and quicker processing of more data in higher resolution. Novice users can quickly learn to operate the scanner, which has an increased field of view so that larger areas can be visualized with less scanner movement and immediate precision. The digital models are displayed on the touchscreen of the new Acquisition Center.
“I think the software itself is more accurate and is getting a better scan than some of the earlier versions. It’s a quick process and it works well,” said Dr. Zive, who sends impressions to the lab for restorations such as multiunit bridges or screw-retained bridges on implants.
For the lab workflow, Primescan users take advantage of seamless, validated, and open data transfer options to transfer high-resolution models to lab partners or other providers in an instant. The accuracy of the scans helps to ensure an ideal fit for any restoration or appliance. In fact, according to Dentsply Sirona, Primes-can delivered a 98.83% lab acceptance rate over the course of more than 150,000 intraoral dental scans that were taken in the U.S. in 2020.
"I think what they’ve done is make it a little more accurate and easier to get the scans.”
- Marc Zive, DMD
A Seamless Ortho Workflow
Primescan is also the starting point of treatment planning for clear aligners—a market that is expected to grow by 11.5% each year, according to MarketWatch. Dr. Zive offers his patients SureSmile clear aligners from Dentsply Sirona.
For this workflow, the dentist sends SureSmile a full-arch scan along with photos taken at the first appointment. The practice then receives a treatment plan for approval before the aligners are fabricated in a state-of-the-art process using industry-leading Essix material.
“It’s been a seamless process and I have had to do very little alteration of anything that I’ve sent out,” Dr. Zive said, adding that patients have been pleased with their SureSmile treatment.
Technology That Markets Itself
Using digital technology continues to carry a “wow” factor in the practice, with new patients impressed by the scans and the design of their crowns. Oftentimes, patients will tell their friends and family about their experience, encouraging others to make appointments.
As a doctor who appreciates the science and technology of dentistry, Dr. Zive has never looked back on his migration to the digital workflow.
“I knew it was an expense,” Dr. Zive said, “but I found within the first year of having the system that I had done more in production than the system cost.” And CAD/CAM technology is not just about pleasing patients and increasing revenue. For Dr. Zive, “It’s all part of the fun of practicing.”
