Choose Wisely

The development of digital technology for dentistry has enabled the creation of new protocols that have improved efficiency, accuracy, predictability, profitability, and more. As the technology has evolved with the profession, so too have the options for dentists, allowing them to create more personalized protocols to realize the benefits of digital dentistry in a manner that best suits their individual practices and preferences. But do dentists need to adopt certain technologies in order to be successful in today's market? Although digital dentistry is clearly the future of the profession, like any tools, devices must be used appropriately in order to improve patient care and profitability; otherwise, they can end up sitting somewhere gathering dust. For largely analog practitioners who are considering going digital, there are many factors to consider. Our April cover story examines these factors, including the costs, learning curve, staff and resources required, patient demand, and most importantly, the specifics of how each device will be implemented into the practice's workflow.