October 29, 2015 / 1:01am

How to Integrate Digital Dentistry In Your Practice

According to many in the dental industry, digital dentistry is the the future of your practice. Although 95 percent of dentists still use the traditional method for creating impressions, digital dentistry is quickly expanding as more and more digital tools are now available to streamline dental processes and procedures.

Integrating new technology that requires changing your office’s current processes and procedures can feel daunting, but for many making the transition, the benefits significantly outway the inconveniences. With reduced costs, improved patient outcomes and faster turnaround times on restorations, many dentists are deciding to take the plunge.  Not sure where to start? Our team has created a list of three ways that you can begin determining how digital dentistry would best benefit your practice. Check them out in the article below.

1. Decide Which Areas Will Best Augment Your Practice

Digital tools are now available in a multitude of areas, including imaging and radiography, extraoral and intraoral photography, diagnosis of caries, occlusal and TMJ, implant dentistry and practice management tools. Before you begin integrating digital dentistry in your practice, a thorough examination of your current dental practice can help. What type of procedures are you performing most often that take up a lot of chair time or team member attention? These may be areas that introducing technology could increase efficiencies leading to higher profit margins and patient satisfaction.

2. Select the Right Products and Technology

Cost continues to be the most cited barrier for dentists in upgrading to digital tools. However, it’s important to factor in cost savings post-implementation as well as profitability increases that come through upgrading to digital-based tools.

For those struggling to select the most cost-effective technology for a modest budget, a choice of digital practice management will build a firm foundation for future upgrades. Digital practice management automates many office functions — freeing up staff time, reducing the margin for error in patient records, and improving collections for both insurance and non-insurance receivables. As a cost-saving and profitability tool, digital practice management tools continue to prove themselves in practices of all sizes.

3. Invest in the Digital Dentistry Education and Training

Along with new digital technology comes a necessary learning curve, complete with education, training and skill-building. It is important to stage implementation to permit each of these critical phases to take place for the highest success rate. This is often easiest in group dental practices, but can be accomplished in any size practice by using online tools to complete the education and training process.

Learn More About Digital Dentistry with Sun Dental

At Sun Dental, we believe now is the time for the dental industry to go digital. As a global dental company, we strive to provide dentists the digital solutions and high-quality restoration products they need to successfully advance their practices and to compete in the digital landscape.

What makes us so unique is our 100 percent digital process for modeling and creating dental prostheses, resulting in a level of accuracy and comfort unmatched by other providers. Click here to learn more about our fully digital dentistry workflow.