The dental laboratory of tomorrow

In the last few months we have published a number of articles on the future of the dental market on our blog. In this article we go to a further level and look at the individual puzzle pieces again as a whole. We shift our perspective and see the data as a basis for discussion. There is no such thing as black or white, good or bad - but there are many opportunities which we can take advantage of.

The variety of dental materials and technologies is growing

As in many other industries, the use of digital technologies in the dental field is increasing. This also opens up many new possibilities for the use of dental materials.

Subtractive manufacturing such as the milling technique enable the use of zirconium oxide and ceramics for monolithic dentures and at the same time simplify processes when working with thermoplastic materials. The use of resins was already part of everyday life in conventional dental technology, but under difficult working conditions. For example, toxic substances escape from the material during polymerization, to which dental technicians were exposed.

The use of new technologies and procedures in dental technology not only leads to the use of new materials and to a gain in efficiency, but also to improved working conditions in the dental laboratory.

In addition to subtractive processes, additive manufacturing is also becoming increasingly relevant. The LaserMelting process for an economical production of frameworks made of metals such as cobalt-chromium (CoCr), titanium and gold revolutionized dental technology many years ago. The resin 3D printing process, on the other hand, is new. At the moment, primarily dental auxiliary structures are produced this way. However, new printing materials will make it possible to produce permanent dentures in this process in the future.

In addition to metal and plastic, it is now also possible to print ceramic frameworks. At the moment, these are primarily structures in the context of rapid prototyping. But in this area, too, research is being carried out into materials that may remain in the patient's mouth in the long term, so that future use in dental technology cannot be ruled out.

Digital technologies and networking as the guiding principle of the dental industry

In order to achieve a gain in efficiency, the use of new technologies and materials requires a rethinking of many processes in dental laboratories. While in conventional dental technology the focus was on human-to-human communication, machines and materials have to be integrated into the communication as well. This is the only way to ensure the optimal use of resources.

The networked communication between people, machines and materials goes beyond your own dental laboratory and also involves those treating you and your patients. The concept of platform plays a central role in a digital 360° workflow. In this way, it is possible to transfer data in real time despite the physical distance. For example, dental technicians could be connected virtually during the consultation between therapists and patients directly after the scan of the oral situation. Thanks to the platform and the aforementioned option of real-time transmission, this advice can already be given directly on the basis of the scan data, which can be called up in the dental laboratory at the same time. There is already a gain in efficiency here, because patients do not have to be called in for a follow-up appointment.

On the basis of the intraoral scan, it is already possible to simulate treatment results, on which the dentist, patient and dental technician may agree. This serves as the basis for the creation of the denture. At this point we will see further developments in the field of augmented reality in the dental industry in the future. Through the use of VR glasses, which are already known from the gaming sector, the real and digital worlds merge and simulations become even more tangible for patients.

But not only the communication between dentists, patients and dental technicians is changing; in the dental laboratory itself, networking supports the optimization of processes. Automatisms in machines ensure that framework production runs overnight or at the weekend without supervision. This includes automated material and tool selection as well as self-cleaning interiors.

With a connection to an ERP system, there is also the option of automatically reordering material once the warehouse has reached a certain level.

The dental laboratory from product to solution provider

New technologies, materials and the intelligent networking of man, machine and material are changing the tasks in the dental laboratory. Due to the simplification of processes and the now lower level of investment in milling systems (approx. 30K euros), smaller restorations may in future take place directly in the dental practice itself.

Dental laboratories which have already invested in the digital workflow are less affected by this development. Their high quality – at favorable conditions for their customers – cannot be beat even by the relatively low investment costs. Anyone who then offers additional services will increasingly benefit from this development. Next to craftsmen, dental technicians become also consultants for dentists. They support those treating you with their know-how from the planning to the completion of the treatment. Complex restorations will remain in the dental laboratory. Dental laboratories are thus developing accordingly from pure product providers to solution providers according to the following formula: Product + Service = Solution

This development continues to focus on patients and their requirements. The best example of this is the backward planning. You can find more information on this in the article "Security through backward planning with CADdent".

Patients as an important target group of dental laboratories

In the previous paragraph we talked about the fact that the requirements of the patients are becoming more and more important. As a result, the target group of dental laboratories is also shifting. So far, the focus of dental laboratories has been solely on those treating the patient, i.e. dentists and orthodontists. Due to the changes in the market, a reorientation is necessary at this point.

Digital patients – often also referred to as (e)patients – are more enlightened and no longer rely exclusively on the advice of dentists and orthodontists, but inform themselves via the Internet.

With better information and increasing awareness of biocompatibility and aesthetics, digital patients are also willing to pay privately to achieve a result that meets their expectations.

In short: through improved education, patients achieve greater market power. Dental laboratories should definitely take this target group into account when planning marketing measures.

Shortage of skilled workers - challenge and opportunity in the dental laboratory

Shortage of skilled workers - an ugly word, the fact of which affects numerous industries and the dental sector does not remain untouched.

At the same time, a challenge always implies an opportunity. Who knows how far digitization and the new material possibilities which come with it would have progressed if there were no concerns about a lack of young people – due to demographic change, among other things.

As in many manual trades, there is also a shortage of skilled workers in the dental industry. At the same time, the job description of a dental technician is changing. What has not changed are the core themes of this job description: passion and creativity. Dental technicians are also often referred to as artists – that is what they are, artists with the aim of imitating the natural tooth, creating an aesthetic overall picture and bringing back the natural smile of patients.

In addition to creativity, manual skills and passion, dental technicians now must have additional skills. This includes a high level of digital competence and the service concept.

Due to the change from pure producers to specialists, experts and service providers, a high level of material competence is also required. Because this is the only way to ensure optimal advice for the practitioner and the patient.

Even if progressive digitization compensates for the lack of skilled workers, there are too few dental technicians. In order to win them over for you and your own laboratory, the demands on laboratories as employers are changing.

First requirement: the values of employees and their employer should largely match. This also includes the issue of flexibility on both sides. Not least since the pandemic, home office offers have been popular. Activities on the PC, such as the virtual design of structures, can easily be done from home.

But trust, a good error culture, self-determination and personal responsibility also play a role at this point. There is no such thing as good or bad, black or white - the attitude of employees must match the attitude of the company. This is the only way to create appreciation from both sides, which emotionally binds employees to the company and ensures increased motivation and a good atmosphere in the team.

Globalization offers these opportunities to the dental market

When talking about globalization in the dental market, it usually goes hand in hand with dental tourism. The introduction of new technologies is slowing down the trend towards foreign dentures. Because of the increased efficiency thanks to the new technologies, fewer skilled workers are required, who are not available on the market anyway due to the shortage of skilled workers. At the same time, high investment costs are amortized through increased productivity. Dentures can therefore be offered more conveniently. Since both (e)patients and dentists prefer to rely on dentures made in their own country, the added value remains here.

Globalization tends to be associated with negative points. The innovative solutions - such as the DryLyte technology - and the new materials (e.g. zirconia) could not be used profitably without the globalization trend. Seen from this perspective, globalization brings with it a thoroughly positive development.

Outsourcing - Access to the entire range of materials despite low investments

With increasing variety of materials and technologies, it becomes difficult to keep track. In order to be able to offer every material in every production process, the investment costs increase immeasurably. But not everyone has to be able to produce everything. In the future, small dental laboratories in particular will take on more of an advisory role, specializing in a few materials in production and, thanks to the possibility of outsourcing to manufacturing centers, will still be able to fall back on the entire range of materials in the dental industry.

Dental laboratories that do not want to outsource and rely on external production service providers may enter into cooperation agreements or consider joining a chain of laboratories.

For these reasons, more and more dental laboratories are joining together to form purchasing groups

These mergers not only offer the advantage of faster amortization of investments through improved device utilization. Purchasing groups often also benefit from more favorable purchasing conditions.

Earlier in the article we talked about the shortage of skilled workers, which can be compensated for in part by new technologies, but not entirely. Due to the market consolidation in the dental industry, there is the possibility of making the deployment of personnel even more efficient and specifically fighting the shortage of skilled workers. On the one hand, well-known employers are already more attractive in the application phase, and on the other hand, work can be distributed more evenly in larger laboratories. In addition, the higher number of employees offers the opportunity to develop area specialists in addition to generalists.

CONCLUSION

New technologies and materials are changing the dental market. Patients are more informed than ever and are becoming the new target group for dental laboratories. Patients' demands for aesthetics and biocompatibility are increasing, which means that implant-supported restorations are preferred to removable dentures or, in the field of digital orthodontics, aligner splints from the 3D printer are ordered rather than braces. Dental laboratories take on an advisory role and primarily process more complex restorations. The communication between practitioners and dental laboratories is moving towards a dialogue at eye level. For the trust of dentists and patients, it is important that you are not tied to systems. Through advice and service offers, assistance and the central service idea, customers do not feel chained, but are emotionally and voluntarily bound to their dental laboratory.

See the opportunities instead of the challenges of change and face the future in your dental laboratory with us. Whether a discussion on the points mentioned above, advice on the variety of materials in the dental industry or assistance with design questions - our experts will be glad to advise you!