Dental Digital Workflow – Shift from Analog to Digital Dentistry Practices

Digitalization in business is transforming processes to newer levels of efficiency helping businesses to provide top-class customer experience. In this era of digital transformation, dentistry is not an exception. With dental digital workflow, teledentistry today is redefining traditional practices with the aid of the latest technical advancements. The focus is now on – comfort, precision, and customer satisfaction.
So, what is a dental digital workflow?
What are its benefits?
How to effectively implement one?
Read on and know these one by one with this write-up.
Table of Contents
What is a Dental Digital Workflow?
A survey on Hungarian dentists, published in 2023 by BMC Oral Health, revealed that around 89.1% of the surveyed dentists were aware of the digital workflows however, only 71% of them are yet to implement them. The survey concluded that dentists need to be aware of all the possibilities in teledentistry to enhance their services. Solutions that emerged from digitalization are making breakthroughs in the traditional setup.
Dental digital workflow is a simple process flow that describes how dental restoration processes like dental prostheses (crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays, and Onlays), dental prostheses bridges, dental implant-supported restorations, and dentures, work in stages.
Digital dental workflows are enabled through workflow automation software that uses CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) that aid in the designing and creation of these different types of dental restorations for patients. This multi-stage process can be simplified and optimized using a workflow automation tool.
Stages in a Digital Workflow for Dental
The process flow of dentistry can be broadly categorized into three stages. They are –
- Oral scan and digital impression
- Designing of the impressions
- Post-processing.
Stage 1 – Oral Scan and Digital Impression
Intra Oral Scan
The intra-scanning of the oral cavity is the primary step in the dental implant digital workflow. Similar to traditional dentistry, digital production has to begin with anatomy. For this, the 3D intraoral scanners capture digital scans of the patient. This is a more effective method that eliminates the manual impressions that are slower and less accurate. Moreover, an alternate solution is the desktop optical scanners that can be installed for scanning traditional dental impressions or plaster models.
Review the Scan and Send Lab Data
Once the oral scans are ready, it has to be analyzed along with the details provided by the lab. The data provides information on what kind of restoration has to be designed for the patient.
Getting a Digital Impression
This is the stage of designing a 3D digital impression using which the model of their dentition is acquired. The digital impressions become the base of the digital workflows, the following processes, and the designs that are generated.
Stage 2 – Planning and Designing using CAM Software
CAD (Computer-aided design)
The CAD software is used to build a treatment plan and design the prosthetics, models, and mock-ups. The digital impressions are converted directly into dental models that are printable. Digitally designed models pave an easy mode for delivering accurate treatment and simplified communication. Once the treatment plan is orchestrated, the model can be forwarded to the manufacturing stage.
CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing)
CAM is the stage where the manufacturing of the impression is done. The 3D models are uploaded into the CAM software, which then is developed into a physical model.
Stage 3 – Post-processing
Restoration is Constructed and Fitted to the 3D-printed Model
This is the stage where the restoration is built and the fit is checked with the 3D model printed. Following this, processes like sintering, polishing, and cleaning are carried out.
Finished Case Delivered
This is where the workflow finally comes to an end with the finished case delivered to the patient.
Process Automation Software for Dental Lab Digital Workflow
Leveraging good workflow automation software can be a lifesaver in a complex manual process. Automation enables you to have measured control over the process. All stages in the process are streamlined and optimized giving no space for delays and errors.
The dental digital workflow can be automated using a workflow automation platform that improves the process proficiency as well as elevates its scope.
End-to-end workflow automation
Build fully-customizable, no code process workflows in a jiffy.
The Benefit of an Automated Digital Workflow
High Quality and Precision
Dental or orthodontic clinics can acquire high levels of accuracy with every case that you deal with. Since every case differs in anatomy, the treatment is also orchestrated accordingly. With dental digital workflow, every process becomes digitally improvised. Compared to a traditionally practiced impression method, the invention of 3D modeling and printing has revolutionized the delta treatments. This has further catalyzed clinics to produce accurate and high-quality restoration solutions.
Time and Cost Savings
In manual-based impressions, it takes longer time and cost to produce dental solutions. With more control over time and cost invested, the efficiency of the process increases. Moreover, with the assistance of workflow automation software, all stages in the process can be streamlined where every step and employee are aligned with the process.
Improved Efficiency
Less time in dental or orthodontic practice, denotes shorter appointments, a high success rate, as well as enhanced patient experience and satisfaction. More efficiency makes the process faster and improved and removes any errors or limitations.
Better Patient Experience and Outcomes
The ultimate goal of any process is to give the end user the maximum. As the patient’s satisfaction increases they are mostly likely to return to you for other treatments. Moreover, they would recommend your clinic to others as well. This contributes to the success of the service.
Effective Way to Implement Dental Digital Workflow
Changing from traditional treatment methods to a digital workflow can be difficult. Hence, going one step at a time is ideal. Here are the steps you can follow to effectively implement a dental digital workflow.
- Pick the right application for 3D Printing
- Define and test the digital workflow for limitations
- Start the change at a slow pace and eventually escalate
- Train and support your workforce to adapt to the change
- Choose the best workflow automation software for easy digitization
Best Practices for a Strong Digital Dental Workflow
- Invest and practice in-depth research
- Think and plan for long-term
- Look for automation software
Cflow – A Remarkable Workflow Automation Platform
Cflow is a no-code workflow automation platform that is specifically designed for process streamlining through workflow automation. As a cloud-based BPM software, Cflow helps businesses to digitally transform to efficiency using contemporary solutions. This is a wonderful platform to elevate the productivity of your business.
Some important features of Cflow are –
- Drag and drop Form Builder
- Rules Engine
- Workflow Templates
- Customization
- Routing and notifications
- Reports and Analytics
Final Words
This is an epoch where digital transformation or digitalization is considered the most influential aspect of a business. Generally, this transformation is considered a parameter to measure a business’s success or development.
This applies to dentistry as well. To be unfazed by the challenges that may arise in the manual dentistry practice, you will have to invest in the right automation tool to streamline the process. Cflow will assist you in achieving this. To embark on this journey, sign up with Cflow now!
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