Schaan, Liechtenstein – 9 October 2023
Digital dentistry is on the rise. Advanced digital workflows, encompassing digital impression taking, treatment planning and automated production, enable dental laboratories to work more efficiently and cost effectively. The Ivoclar Group is a global pioneer in the development of synergistic dental systems. The company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications, offering an extensive portfolio of products and systems including a wide range of digital workflows that are designed to make the life of dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists easier. The workflows, which are based on the expertise Ivoclar has gained over its 100 years of existence, comprise state-of-the-art technology, high-quality materials and perfectly synchronized processes. Now, Ivoclar also offers a practical guide and an ROI calculator, which are intended to inspire, motivate and guide interested dental laboratories and help them prepare for the digital future.
Digital workflows – dental laboratories prepare themselves for the future
As the importance of digital transformation continues to grow, the dental industry is undergoing a profound change. Advanced digital workflows that incorporate aspects such as digitalisation, planning and production, design and automated processes, make many steps faster and more efficient. Digital transformation also affects dental laboratories. Digital methods significantly reduce uncertainty in dental laboratory processes. Furthermore, they increase accuracy, precision and productivity and reproducibility. The digital workflows of Ivoclar allow precision craftsmanship to be combined with digital production processes. Regardless of the digital transformation stage of the laboratory, Ivoclar offers advanced future-proof solutions for both beginners and experts. Going digital in the dental laboratory will also influence contemporary dentistry and will provide laboratories with major advantages. The wide variety of digital equipment supplied by Ivoclar includes high performance scanners (PrograScan PS7), milling machines (PrograMill PM7) and sintering furnaces for zirconium oxide (Programat S2) for maximum flexibility and efficiency.
Increasing laboratory efficiency with digital workflows
Most investment evaluations focus on the initial costs. However, in the context of investing in state-of-the-art technology, software and materials for a dental laboratory, a broader view must be taken. Making an investment in a digital dental lab solution involves more than just learning how to use new products and connecting them to each other. Rather, it is important to develop a finely tuned overall system in which all the components within the integrated workflows work together smoothly in order to increase the laboratory’s performance, efficiency and quality. One way of making sure of obtaining a coordinated system of this kind is to choose a complete solution or several individual solutions from one manufacturer.
Making a list of important criteria helps the decision-making process
Apart from looking at the overall wide-ranging benefits of integrated workflows, it is also important to evaluate the individual products themselves. The different products all contribute to the efficiency of the entire workflow and can have a positive influence on laboratory costs by reducing redundancy and the time required for carrying out manual steps. Before integrating a product into a digital process, laboratories should identify the criteria that are most important to their very specific situation. For example, when selecting a suitable milling machine, aspects such as autonomous operation, speed and throughput, high-quality results, user-friendliness and the validation of CAD and CAM software must be carefully assessed.
Additional Support: "From Features to Profits" Guide from Ivoclar
In an effort to help interested dental laboratories to start their digital transformation process, Ivoclar has created a practical guide with the title “From Features to Profits”. It is intended to help dental laboratories to make informed investment decisions in the future. The guide provides information about the criteria that need to be considered in preparation for going digital. This practical guide can be downloaded from the following dedicated landing page: ivoclar.com/digital-devices
About the Ivoclar Group
The Ivoclar Group, headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications. In 2023, the company proudly celebrates its 100-year anniversary under the theme of “A Century of Innovation”. The company's success is based on a comprehensive portfolio of products, systems and services, strong research and development capabilities and a clear commitment to training and further education. The group of companies, which sells its products to around 130 countries, has 56 subsidiaries and branch offices and employs roughly 3,700 people worldwide. More information about the Ivoclar Group is available at ivoclar.com.