THE DIGITAL STREAM

Advancements in intraoral scanner and 2D panoramic equipment technology along with the increased use of CBCT systems are key indicators that the analog to digital transition will continue to intensify in 2018. Carestream Dental’s chief dental officer, Edward Shellard, D.M.D., shares his vision for the future of digital dentistry.

The decision to add a CBCT system to your practice is a big one, largely because of the capital required. It isn’t like integrating a new laptop or tablet into your workflow. This kind of investment calls for careful consideration—particularly in five areas.

The answer isn’t necessarily one or the other. It might be a combination of the two. If you’ve decided to transition away from film, it’s important to look at all of the computed radiography and direct radiography options available in order to consider the pros and cons of each. It’s an important decision—you want it to be an informed one.

The misconceptions about digital radiography dissuade many oral health professionals from making the transition. They focus on the immediate impact of equipment changes and stop there. Do you fall into this category? If so, you may not realize the potential for digital radiography to advance your dental practice objectives.

To understand what oral health professionals should look for in 2017, we asked a number of experts about their opinions on this year’s trends. This is what Ed Shellard, D.M.D., Carestream Dental’s vice president of sales and marketing, had to say:

If you’re already using digital radiography (DR) in your practice, you might wonder: What’s the point of adding computed radiography (CR) when I already have sensors to accommodate patients of all shapes and sizes?

As 2015 draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the year and examine how things might be done differently in the next. What worked, what didn’t and what can doctors do to make 2016 even better than 2015? With that in mind, here are the top New Year’s resolutions for oral health care professionals.

As part of my regular column in Dental Economics, I recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. David Little out of San Antonio, Texas. As an implant dentist, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is very important when it comes to Dr. Little’s treatment planning and evaluation.