Cosmetic Dental Design (CDD) has officially joined the international community of dental laboratories with PIC systems following their completion of a 5-day PIC pro training. Founded in 2005, CDD has consistently pursued a vision to offer the dental industry a boutique, aesthetically focused lab that prioritizes digital dentistry. Initially established as a crown and bridge laboratory, CDD has since evolved into a full-service dental laboratory. Demonstrating their commitment to innovation, they were among the first in Australia to adopt intraoral scanners in 2010.
Operating a dental laboratory presents unique challenges, particularly when dealing with non-local clients working on All-On-4 restorations. Additionally, the laboratory struggled with aligning various scans with the provided impressions from the clinics. Michael McGrath, DT, the lab's director, highlighted that the most significant hurdle was establishing a reliable impression-taking technique that could be consistently translated to final prostheses. Issues with vertical dimensions further complicated the workflow, prompting the search for a more effective system.
“PIC was the obvious choice.”
For McGrath, the decision to integrate the PIC system into their workflow was clear-cut. It bridged the gap between the laboratory and the clinical surgeries, allowing for immediate receiving of files rather than enduring a six to seven-hour wait post-surgery. This improvement means that patients receive their temporaries quicker, and the laboratory can operate on a more regular schedule without the need for late-night or early morning work sessions.
The PIC system also simplified the process of transforming temporaries to final prostheses, which had been a significant pain point. McGrath's team was already equipped with tools that complemented the PIC system, facilitating a seamless digital workflow.
“The ease of the use of the PIC is the thing that made me most excited.”
McGrath is particularly enthusiastic about the ease of use of the PIC system, noting that it stands out in an industry where many dental products come with a steep learning curve and complex training. McGrath is also thrilled about the collaboration opportunities the PIC system enables. Dental assistants and other clinical staff can now work more effectively alongside surgeons, enhancing the overall workflow and ensuring high accuracy and quality in the results.
“We'll be able to provide high-accuracy, high-quality results.”
McGrath believes that the PIC system will provide a streamlined workflow for their laboratory. The ability to deliver high-quality, precise results in a more efficient manner positions CDD to better serve their clients and meet the demands of modern dental laboratories.
The incorporation of the PIC system has fully addressed the critical challenges faced by the CDD. It also paved the way for a more efficient and collaborative working environment within the lab itself and between lab and clinics.