A Time For New Workflows

Regarding the adoption of new technology, I'm always reminding clinicians that, although there is a wide variety of digital solutions available to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every oral condition, in order to be successfully implemented, a new technology must fit into your workflow in a way that realizes a return on investment without becoming too burdensome for you or your team. Otherwise, it will just sit somewhere taking up space and collecting dust.

Unfortunately, with the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the practice of dentistry, many clinicians who were not otherwise intending to change their workflows have had to do so to adapt. Regardless of our individual situations, we are all now looking for ways to increase efficiency. As we consider ways to modify our workflows to better protect team members and patients, technology can play an essential role. In-office technologies, such as CBCT, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM, and 3D printing, can reduce the amount of appointments needed for treatment, and teledentistry solutions are available to enable remote follow-up, reducing unnecessary exposure while providing patients with the support that they need.

In this year's technology issue, we bring you articles that explore a host of innovations in dental healthcare, including our cover story, which discusses the various applications of chairside 3D printing, and a CE offering that examines the benefits of robot-assisted implant placement when compared with other guided surgical options. I hope you enjoy the issue and find the information useful in your ongoing effort to acquire the right technology for your practice.

Robert C. Margeas, DDS

Editor-in-Chief, Inside Dentistry

Private Practice • Des Moines, Iowa

Adjunct Professor
Department of Operative Dentistry
University of Iowa • Iowa City, Iowa
rmargeas_eic@aegiscomm.com