Part 1 of 3: Streamline Orthodontic Practice & Enhance Efficiency Through Digital WorkfloW By Khoi Nguyen, DDS and Tam Issa-Abbas, DDS, FAGD Over the past 15 years, the dental industry has been transitioning from traditional methods to digital ones. This includes the use of practice management software, digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, intraoral scanners, treatment planning software, chairside milling, and 3D printing. 1 These tools, when integrated with cloud-based platforms and various dental CAD/CAM systems, enhance collaboration and communication among interdisciplinary dental teams. 1 Part 1 of this article series shares the treatment plan and how technology helps the orthodontic digital workflow. M any general dentists have already adopted some digital tools such as electronic medical records, digital x-rays, digital CAD-CAM scanning and milling for restorative, etc. However, few have yet set up their workflow entirely digitally. The barriers to adoption could be technology’s overwhelm-ing choices, the steep learning curve, or the high cost of entry. 1 To go fully digital, it takes a willing-ness to learn, a commitment to change, and an understanding of the benefits that come with it. In orthodontic workflows, digital tools have significantly enhanced and transformed how we plan, execute, and monitor orthodontic treatment. However, the adoption of new technologies by dentists is still slow. For instance, even though the sales of intra-oral scanners are on the rise and expected to hit $1 billion by 2028, 2 only 10-20% of dentists are currently using them. 3 This three-part article series aims to update you with the current available tools for every stage of the orthodontic workflow. We hope to demonstrate that adopting the digi-tal workflow in orthodontics can be rather simple and quite affordable. Once set in place, this process can help reduce overhead costs, increase efficiency, make work more enjoy-able for us dentists, and provide higher quality treatment and better experience for patients. 1 What is a digital workflow and how does it impact the field of orthodontics? A digital workflow is a fully digi-tal process that uses digital tools and technology for all tasks. It has greatly transformed the way we practice orthodontics. Here are some ways it has impacted the field: 7 ᕡ Enhanced Accuracy: Utiliza-tion of digital tools such as x-rays (Panoramic, Cephalomet-ric, CBCT), digital cameras, and intra-oral scanners ensures precise records. ᕢ Space Efficiency: Digital records require significantly less storage space compared to physical ones. ᕣ Better Patient Communica-tion: Software allows patients to visualize their treatment before initiation, fostering better understanding and expectations setting. ᕤ Remote Monitoring: Digital applications enable dentists to track treatment progress more often, facilitating better communication. ᕥ Increased Efficiency: Digital workflows streamline treat-ment planning and execution, making the process quicker and more straightforward. ᕦ Reduced Chair Time: Digital tools contribute to shortened treatment times and fewer office visits. 7 ᕧ Lab Efficiency: Eliminates the frustration of broken or damaged stone models in the lab. ᕨ Enhanced Convenience: Quick reproduction to dupli-cates using cloning techniques or 3D models reprinting elimi-nates the need for new impressions in case of errors. ᕩ Accelerated Treatments: Dentists can produce custom appliances faster with digital workflows, resulting in reduced treatment times and increased patient satisfaction. µ Cost Savings: In-house 3-D printing of models and fabri-cation of clear aligners reduce lab and shipment costs. ¸ Environmentally Friendly: Digital workflows eliminate 16 Winter 2024 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society JAOS Winter 2024: Page 16
