The Starting Point of a More Efficient Practice
Achieve accurate scans quickly and easily for the optimal restorative workflow, whether working with a lab, outside provider, or milling in-house restorations
The ability to provide efficient and effective dentistry has never been more important than 
during the ongoing pandemic. One reason is that regardless of how persistent or painful their dental issues are, some patients feel that they are taking an unnecessary risk by coming into the office for a dental appointment. So, using tools and technologies that speed up appointment times and reduce the risk of cross-contamination can help ease their concerns, while creating a streamlined workflow for the dental team.
“People don’t want to be exposed—they want to go to their dental appointment, pick up their groceries, do their errands, and then go back to the safety and security of their homes where they’re not exposed,” explained Dr. Joshua Howard, who operates a general practice in Dover, NH.
When it comes to quick and accurate restorative treatment, one tool that can have the biggest impact is the intraoral scanner. However, it pays to do your research and choose a digital impression system that is both accurate and easy to use.
A True Practice Builder
Dr. Howard first began using an intraoral scanner in 2005, choosing Dentsply Sirona technology then and upgrading over the years as the company released new innovations. Today, he uses Primescan, which he said is the company’s best and fastest intraoral scanner.
Primescan allows for easy capturing and quicker processing of more data in higher resolution, transmitting exactly the data needed and displaying 3D-scan models immediately. It also enables seamless and open data transfers—to in-house software, a lab, or other partners such as clear aligner providers. Primescan is the starting point of Dr. Howard’s in-house CAD/CAM restorations as well as his lab workflow, and services such as clear aligner treatment with SureSmile aligners.
Primescan has been a key player during the pandemic—keeping appointments moving faster and preventing the need for repeat appointments. Dr. Howard noted that one of his patients who recently received a single-visit crown shared how grateful he was that he didn’t need to come back into the office a second time.
“Primescan has actually made it easier to teach and delegate, and the more the assistants can do to scan the teeth, the easier and quicker it is for me.”
- Joshua D. Howard, DMD
Milling his implant crowns and custom abutments in house with CEREC technology, Dr. Howard estimates that he’s saved hundreds of dollars per case. “When we started doing single-visit dentistry, we saw our productivity jump up by about 33%,” he noted. Dr. Howard also sees single-visit dentistry as a practice builder because of its built-in word-of-mouth marketing. “We’re the type of practice that people come to because they heard that their co-worker got a crown done at our office and they didn’t have to wear a temporary or come back in 3 weeks, and they want that, too,” said Dr. Howard.
An Efficient Lab Workflow
When it comes to sending digital scans to the lab, Dr. Howard said that Primescan makes the process very simple. “It’s great if we’re doing large cosmetic cases because we can send along pictures digitally, and since we’re scanning it, we know right away that the fit is not going to be an issue—it’s going to fit right every single time,” he said.
In addition to more accurate restorations, Dr. Howard appreciates that Primescan is user friendly with a short learning curve and offers a much faster scan than he was accustomed to. “It’s been such a great journey to get to the point where we could use a faster, more efficient scanner,” shared Dr. Howard. “It’s actually made it easier to teach and delegate, and the more the assistants can do to scan the teeth, the easier and quicker it is for me.”
Dentsply Sirona’s CAD/CAM portfolio offers ease of use and compatibility, but you don’t need to use the entire CEREC workflow at your practice to enjoy Primescan’s unique benefits. The scanner can be used seamlessly with products and technologies from other manufacturers—making it a great first step into digital dentistry.
