10 Questions: Martin Dymek

01 Earlier you introduced the “Straumann CARES® Digital Solutions” concept. What falls under this umbrella?

Straumann CARES® Digital Solutions are integrated technologies that connect dental professionals across disciplines-general dentists, specialists and dental laboratories. They include state-of-the-art computer-guided surgery, the integration of Straumann CADCAM with Cadent’s iTero® Digital Impression System, and CAD/CAM prosthetics.

02 Why was a project of this magnitude a priority?

The industry needs end-to-end solutions. We are the only company providing premium surgical, restorative and regenerative solutions; CAD/CAM design and manufacturing of copings and abutments; and guided surgical software.

03 Digitization is a hot topic, but for many an alternative rather than the standard. How close are we to seeing that change?

Digital solutions will continue to transform the industry and digitization will become more common as standards evolve. We can expect the slow and steady adoption of digital solutions over the next five years.

04 How do those benefits translate into real-world results?

Digital workflows minimize errors. Intraoral scanning delivers precise digital impressions that can eliminate the need for consumables like impression trays, impression material and stone models, representing long-term cost savings. Labs constantly receive inaccurate impressions and this delays the final restoration and results in additional costs to the lab and GP. Because the laboratory using Straumann’s CAD/CAM system can receive the digital impression file right away, the technician can start designing the custom abutment immediately, improving their turnaround time and using this time and cost-savings in other areas of their lab business. 

05 How does the system benefit the end customer-the patient?

Digital solutions help improve the patient experience. Intraoral scanning eliminates traditional impression taking, which can minimize patient discomfort. Because the lab can deliver precise-fitting restorations on shorter lead times, patients get quality results faster.

06 In what ways will this process help the dentist and lab work together more effectively?

Digital workflow accelerates process times so GPs and surgeons can treat more patients and deliver high-quality restorations for improved patient satisfaction. For dental labs, our Straumann CARES CADCAM portfolio features a central milling center that mills precise CAD/CAM abutments, and provides a variety of materials including IPS e.max CAD and IPS Empress CAD from Ivoclar Vivadent for full-contour crowns, copings, inlays, onlays and veneers.

07 What have been the biggest hurdles to digitization thus far?

There are a few challenges. One is identifying a partner who delivers a complete digital solution, from impression taking and prosthetic design to surgical planning and template fabrication. Another is finding the right technical support to help the customer learn and implement these complex systems. Our new-generation CARES scanner contains an internal camera that links directly to our technical support team of highly trained CDTs. We can offer real-time solutions and guidance through the visual software system and the internal camera gives us an extra advantage to assist technicians with model positioning, new design tools and techniques, and more.

08 How do Straumann’s digital solutions help overcome those challenges?

We provide an end-to-end system. Straumann’s guided surgery platform-with its open architecture-offers scan and surgical template fabrication at the local dental lab, for an additional revenue source for the lab. The integration of Cadent’s iTero system with Straumann CARES CADCAM transforms traditionally disparate systems of impression taking, prosthetic design and fabrication into an integrated workflow for a more accurate final restoration.

09 What other products or capabilities do you hope to add throughout this year?

Our recent CARES launch in September was significant, and featured a new in-lab scanner and software, additional material through IPS Empress CAD, and several new indications- inlays, onlays, veneers and now coron (CoCr) screw-retained bars and bridges. Throughout 2011 we expect to deliver continuous updates to our CARES Digital Solutions portfolio and give the dental laboratory additional indication options so they can improve their service offerings and grow their business.

10 Why should dentists and labs trust Straumann as their partner in this effort?

Straumann is committed to supporting the relationship between the lab and its customers. Our CARES Digital Solutions platform and its integrated components are designed to provide direct (cost, esthetics, fit) and indirect (time, control) benefits to the collaborating professionals.