Transitioning a traditional dental practice to a digital workflow offers a unique set of challenges for practitioners steeped in the conventional analog treatment process. Certainly, that was true in our situation here in Wellington, New Zealand where our independently operated clinics would need to make that transition. As one could imagine, the first challenge was the expense of outfitting each of our clinics with CEREC CAD/CAM systems, let alone all the other intraoral scanners, milling machines, 3D printers we have purchased over the years. This undertaking was an incredibly significant investment, not to mention the inventory of materials each clinic would require. The second major hurdle, and probably the most critical challenge, was the learning curve for our associates and us. However, we all agreed that the expense would be justified and the initiative profitable if we were able to perfect a digital workflow that was efficient, maximized clinical processes, and was streamlined effectively enough to minimize chairtime for patients.

As we undertook our transition, digital technologies matured, as did the millable materials. Modern intraoral scanners are now much faster and more accurate; milling technologies more precise; CAD software more intuitive and user-friendly; and materials much stronger, more predictable, and esthetic. Most importantly, our associates and I worked very hard to master and streamline our workflow processes, which directly impacted the profitability of our practices. 

Figure 1: Application of a retraction cord around a prepared tooth before scanning displaces the gingiva and ensures an accurate scan of the margins as well as a dry field of operation.

Today, our standard workflow from prep to design and mill for a single crown can be accomplished within 45 minutes or less, and the final crown is seated in an hour to an hour and a half on average. After we prep the tooth, we routinely use retraction cord (Figure 1) to displace the gingiva and ensure an accurate scan of the margins and a dry field of operation to avoid contamination from blood, saliva, or crevicular fluid. We take an intraoral scan using CEREC Primescan for our same-day dentistry and design using CEREC Biogeneric software. Our dental assistants are fully trained to be proficient with using CAD software (Figure 2-3) and do all of our CAD designs with clinician oversight, and approval of the final design, and the design is then sent to the milling machine (Figure 4). Our nurses are also trained in all of the post-processing steps, from the crystallization firing process to staining and glazing the final restoration (Figure 5). In the meantime, the retraction cord stays in place so that during the seating of the final crown the fit at the margin is clearly visible and once cemented, excess cement is removed as the cord is removed. Most critical to this process and the profitability of our practices is that while the design, milling, and post-processing is taking place, our clinicians are busy seeing and treating other patients. Single-visit dentistry can be immensely profitable if done well. 

My advice to colleagues who are thinking of entering this space is not to be afraid of the cost, learning curve, and new workflow processes. We hire new associates steeped in the analog process, and within about two months or less, they are proficient with the CAD/CAM process and workflow. Even if you are doing same-day dentistry already, the key to that transition or perfecting your workflow is immersing yourself in online and in-person learning from those who have mastered the CAD/CAM equipment and digital workflow process. Our Institute of Digital Dentistry (www.instituteofdigitaldentistry.com) welcomes professionals from all over the world who want to learn and perfect the efficiencies that are possible with this workflow process to help them gain the knowledge and confidence they need.

Also, choose a restorative material that offers the confidence of predictability, flexibility, strength, and esthetics in all areas of the mouth. Here in New Zealand, zirconia is not the typical go-to material, as it is in the States. 

One vital key to success when using CAD/CAM processes is tooth preparation. Above all things, this matters the most. If you under prep or prep poorly, the entire process will be more challenging, slower, and less efficient. I, and many of my colleagues, thought we were masters of tooth preparation until we transitioned to CAD/CAM and could see our preparations on the computer screen. With the ability to examine all aspects of your preparation in 3D, you can see any flaws and make corrections while the patient is in the chair. Using intraoral scanners makes you a better dentist due to the instant feedback you receive about the quality of your preparation. 

A critical area that requires attention during tooth preparation for the CAD/CAM process is adequate occlusal reduction. The primary reason for the failure of all-ceramic restorations is inadequate tooth reduction. Depending on the restorative material being used, you need at least 1mm of occlusal reduction to ensure the integrity and durability of that restoration. If you don’t reduce the occlusal to that degree, the software will compensate, and you will either end up with a poorly designed restoration invading minimal thickness or a high spot on the finished crown that risks fracture from occlusal forces. 

Without a doubt, the CAD/CAM process is extraordinarily accurate and can be used for a wide range of chairside single visit cases (Figures 6-10). However, the output is only as good as the input. In Part III of this series, I will share some of the clinical cases from a single crown to full quadrant dentistry that we have completed using our same-day dentistry workflow and processes. 

Figure 6 (below, left): This patient presented with a decoronated tooth, which required emergency same-day treatment.

Figure 7 (below, right): CEREC and same-day dentistry enable us to provide treatment modalities that were otherwise not possible in a single visit. Because this patient needed treatment the same day, we decided to keep the root. The post and core were carried out under rubber dam.

Figure 8 (above, left): The preparation was scanned using CEREC Omnicam.

Figure 9 (above,right): The final crown was designed chairside using CEREC Omnicam. 

Figure 10 (below): The final crown milled from IPS e.max CAD using CEREC MC XL achieved a great shade-match. This otherwise “temporary” fix has been in the patient's mouth for 6 years and counting.

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