There has been an explosion of dental offices adding computers in recent years, but there are still many clinics that need to incorporate technology better. One of the main reasons for delay is simply not knowing what to do.

In my experience, the best way for a technologically timid clinic to move towards computers is to begin by digitizing your intra-oral cameras. Why? Simply because they are non-essential systems. As you go through the process of learning to deal with computers in the operatory, you are bound to make mistakes. Messing up a few images is no big deal, but having to retake a full mouth series of x-rays is.

Once the decision to move forward has been made, the basic steps are:

1. Talk to your sales rep/technology rep and decide which camera you will use. Will it be a new USB camera, or will you be capturing images from an existing analog camera? What hardware do you need to accomplish this?

2. Decide where everything will go. Is there room for a computer and peripherals in your operatory? On the chair? In the cabinet? There are even wall mount brackets that can hold a CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

3. Decide what software you will use. Choose something that you will be able to use long term. Don’t simply go with the cheap software that comes with the camera- buy full featured software that you will use later on. The reason is that you want to become comfortable with the entire system before making a move to digital radiography. Learning the software now will ease the transition later.

4. Reevaluate your hardware requirements. Double check the specs and requirements of your software and peripherals. Don’t skimp. Running image management software with the minimum amount of memory is an exercise in frustration. Ensure you have lots of memory and storage.

5. Evaluate your backup up and security systems. All images and records should be backed up regularly and preferably off site. Also, set up a bomb proof file security system. Free media coverage is great, but you don’t want to be in the news because someone stole your server and got their hands on confidential patient information.

Computer and networking costs can easily equal the price of digital x-ray sensors. Taking a baby step now will ease your ultimate transition down the road, save you money now, and make you more comfortable with the software and computer when the time comes.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Intra Oral Cameras

When you start the machine, it asks you for several pieces of information about the patient and the impression you are taking (including the shade of the tooth). When the proper data has been entered, you begin taking scans. The camera is really just an intraoral camera, but the software has you take several photos of the same tooth, from varying angles, all guided by the on screen instructions.

Once you have captured enough images, they are compiled to form a 3D map, and an extremely accurate 3D model is generated. This digital model can then be sent to a Cerec machine to have a restoration milled, or to the company’s headquarters. At Cadent they create a model for you to send to your lab. The quality of the models made by the company is very high. The detail is like nothing I have ever seen before.

The benefits of this machine are numerous.

First and most obvious – you never need to buy impression material again, and there is no need to make the patient sit with a loaded tray of impression material in their mouth, gagging, while you wait for the putty to set to just the right consistency. Retaking the impression is free – just rescan the image.

Of course, the machine looks cool and high-tech, so the patient is impressed, and it’s likely that they will tell their friends and family about you. In addition, this is exactly the type of tool that would make a great media story, as we discussed in a previous post (link to old post).

The Cadent iTero is what technology should be all about in a dental office; save time, save money, and get better results. You can find out more about the Cadent iTero, including watching videos of the machine in use, by visiting http://www.cadentitero.com.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Intra Oral Cameras

That isn’t to say that there have been no changes in camera technology over the past 20 years. Today, cameras are lighter and more portable than ever before. Technology has really focused on how the images are stored and accessed. Once, bulky video printers were used to capture the image and then print a 4×6 photograph of the picture on the screen. Today, images are stored in a computer, archived in dental imaging software.

Let’s start by clearing up a misconception about digital imaging: any intra-oral camera, no matter how old, can be hooked up to a computer and used to store images digitally. How? All cameras have a video output on them. This video output can be fed into a computer simply by installing a $100 video capture card in the computer. The imaging software can be set to use this card as a source, and your old Acucam is now ready for the 21st century.

New cameras can make this process a whole lot easier. In addition to the video output, today’s cameras often feature USB or Firewire ports to pair them with a computer. With a USB connection, you can simply plug the camera into an already existing port on the computer and you are hooked up. Using the USB connection, the imaging software is configured in exactly the same way as you would configure the capture card. However, if you were using a capture card in a multiple operatory practice, each operatory would need to have the capture card installed in order to use the camera.

One potential downside to the USB/Firewire option is that a driver needs to be installed on the computer to allow the machine to recognize the camera. This doesn’t cost money, as the driver is included with the camera, but does add an extra level of complexity. Computers don’t always do what they are told, and driver errors can shut your camera down until you have someone come to fix it.

My favorite camera on the market today is the Gendex Acucam Concept IV FWT (shown on the right). Featuring a fast Firewire connection, the camera installs easily and the camera drivers are stable. This means reduced downtime for the dentist, and fewer service calls for the technician. In addition, the camera uses a docking station technology, in which a dock is installed in each room. The benefit of this is that the bulky dock stays put while only the small flexible camera is moved from room to room. Simplicity is always the best option.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Intra Oral Cameras

In every stage of a dentist’s career, from student to associate to owner, a dentist will have to evaluate whether a certain piece of equipment meets their needs; that is, saves them time, improves their work, or is capable of saving or producing money.

Each category of equipment potentially has dozens of characteristics that could be evaluated to make that determination. However, there are some considerations that all equipment purchases have in common.

Why Do I Want New Dental Equipment?

Whether to buy a new or used dental equipment supplies is always a key consideration. Clarity will often help save money. Dentists work hard, and don’t need to justify the desire to purchase a new toy for their operatory. Still, you should be aware of the reasons you want to purchase the equipment, as it can help focus your needs.

A real world example of this is intra oral cameras. The prices range on these units considerably, from as low as $400 to $5000 and more. If you want the camera to take detailed before and after shots of your cosmetic work, you should be looking at a good digital SLR rather than an intra oral camera.

On the other hand, if you want to send images to the insurance company, a good quality intraoral camera will be faster and easier. If the camera is simply to show patients pictures of their teeth, one of the inexpensive handheld plastic intraoral cameras will suit your needs.

Do I Have Any History With This Type Of Equipment?

If you have been a long time user of Kavo handpieces, and are happy with their price and performance, is there any reason to change? Consistency in equipment from room to room is a benefit in a dental practice. Your staff is more familiar with the operation of the equipment which can save money.

All service technicians have stories about rushing to offices for emergency calls only to flip a switch to fix the problem. In addition, you will probably have learned some tricks with the equipment over the years, and you will be able to simplify your inventory on things such as disposable suction traps and infection control barriers.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Handpieces, Intra Oral Cameras