The Holiday Rush...how do you stay on top of the chaos?

The next couple of weeks will be buzzing with excitement, the holiday season always seems to come quicker with each passing year and it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. At Natural Esthetics we want our doctors to feel at ease, because we have been planning for this so that they don’t have to. Instead of feeling overworked this holiday season, use these tips to help get you through:

Prepare, prepare prepare

You know it’s coming (even if you aren’t sure exactly what “it” is)! That's half the battle, all you have to do now is prepare. Do you have the supplies you need? Are you ready for the volume? Time is precious around the holidays so make sure you maximize your preparations so that things run as smoothly as possible when time is thin so you don’t run into issues with deadlines..

Be flexible

Things change, all the time, sometimes without warning! That’s okay, roll with the punches and you’ll notice things go smoother when you do. Maybe it's a time, a place, an appointment, or your objective- whatever it is keep your spirits high and it’ll be over before you know it.

Remember to enjoy the moment

I know I don’t have to be the one to tell you that time slips away quickly, while it’s here don't forget to look around and be thankful. For a place, a person, or a memory- it doesn’t matter as long as you appreciate it. Here at Natural Esthetics, we appreciate you.

Natural Esthetics would like to wish everyone happy holidays and a prosperous new year!

Top 10 Reasons Your Dental Practice Should Have an Intraoral Scanner:

1. Faster Turnaround from your lab (Natural Esthetics, of course).

2. Accurate

3. Patients don’t have to deal with Impression material gagging them (Patients are more comfortable).

4. Doctors no longer have to buy impression material (or a lot less!).

5. Easy to communicate with your lab about a concern or difficult case because you both see the same thing.

6. Keeps you modern and in the wave of new technology.

7. So many options with a scanner when it comes to figuring out what you need.

8. See any discrepancies or areas of concern before the patient leaves your practice.

9. More manufacturing options for your restorations.

10. Results are more predictable.

Have questions about putting a scanner in your practice? Speak with a member of the Natural Esthetics Team about how we can help! Call 813.888.6197 or visit www.naturalesthetics.net!

CAD/CAM: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing

What is CAD/CAM?

CAD stands for Computer Aided Design and CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing. This technology works together so that after something has been designed a machine connected to the design process easily manufactures the product. Digging deeper, CAD/CAM is technology that allows a dental laboratory to design and manufacture restorations more accurately and at a quicker pace than before.

How do we utilize this technology?

In our laboratory, Natural Esthetics, utilizes the latest in CAD/CAM technology to bring our dentists dental restorations from models, impressions, and digital scans sent by dentist. With the help of this technology we can boast of our consistent quality and quick turnaround. Our laboratory experts can work with doctors to communicate and work together on cases to provide the best care for your patients.

What does that mean for dentists?

CAD/CAM offers dentist a different level of care than traditional dental laboratories previously could offer. When coupled with a digital scanner in the dental practices, the technology allows dentists to accurately see the same thing that laboratories see making communication better and allowing restorations to be a more accurate fit.

If you have any questions or want to continue the conversation contact Natural Esthetics at 813-888-6197 or visit our website at www.naturalesthetics.net!

5 Tips for the Perfect Digital Impression

In today’s world restorations are faster, stronger and more natural looking- the things this lab prides itself on! With all of this new technology it’s easy to get lost or intimidated when trying a new technological technique. To help get rid of some of the uneasy feelings associated with digital impression scanning we created a small tip sheet for dentists to maximize their efforts and help us create the best restorations for their patients!

1) Keep It Dry

Keeping the area you are scanning dry is key to a good digital impression, when you scan and the area is wet it creates a blurred image and a proper restoration cannot be made.

2) Try Not to Shine a Light Directly

We know, you’re thinking, “What? We need to see what we’re scanning!” It’s true, you do, but a digital impression comes out much better when the light is just to the side instead of directly hitting the area you are trying to scan. This happens because the direct light shines in the scan and blurs out the contours of the tooth area. This prevents a lab from being able to clearly define and create restorations that naturally fit in with the surrounding teeth.

3) Use A Cord to Retract the Tissue

Some of the best ways to identify a master at digital impressions is watching how they retract the tissue. This allows the lab to create restorations that perfectly fit in the patient's mouth and make the dentist look good.

4) If You Can’t See the Margin, We Can’t See the Margin

The great thing about digital impressions is it allows the dentist’s and the labs to see the same thing. Making communication about challenges or successes clear and easy to define. Margins should always be clearly defined so that labs can create a restoration that fits perfectly for any patient.

5) Trust the Scanner

Ultimately a doctor should trust the scanner. This tool is supposed to simplify the process and create a way for faster turnaround from the lab. The scanner is there to allow you to do your job with more ease, let it.

With every technological advancement there is something in the world being made easier for someone. In the dental world that can mean many different things, but ultimately the goal is always the same: Achieve a better, healthier smile

If you have any questions always feel free to reach out to your Natural Esthetics Team!

Signs You're Working With a Quality Dental Lab

If you offer any sort of cosmetic dentistry in your practice, you likely already know that you are partnered with a cosmetic dental lab. Or maybe you're a new practice who is in the market for a trusted cosmetic dental lab who can handle the demands of you and your patients. Here are three key qualities that are essential in a good-quality dental lab.

They use high-quality equipment and try new technologies.

Dental healthcare as a field is on an upward trend, and dental laboratories are following suit. The global market for dental labs is expected to reach 14.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. This growth also means that dental labs have been able to afford experimenting with better methods using technology, resulting in digital dentistry. A digital dental lab uses tools like CAD to create more accurate and higher-quality models. Digital dental methods are projected to grow in popularity as the technology improves and becomes affordable for more labs. If you are working with a lab that employs new technologies, you know they will keep up the newest growth trends in dentistry and keep their methods relevant and pitch-perfect in quality.

Communication and order returns are prompt.

If you are waiting forever to hear back from a lab about a question or order, then there is an issue. If orders consistently take longer than promised, this should also be a deal breaker. If patients aren't receiving their veneers or crowns on time, this reflects badly on your practice, as well. Your lab should keep communication clear and speedy, and should have reasonable return rates on orders. Transparency about hiccups in production or communication is key.</li>

They balance quality and cost.

You should get what you pay for. Newer labs are generally less expensive, but also can afford less cutting-edge equipment and usually have lower quality as a result. Established and/or stable dental lab services can sometimes overcharge, draining your budget. Consider pricing and their quality track record, and choose a fairly priced but established lab.

If you are a dentist office looking for a dental lab, don't be afraid to ask or check their website for a summary of their technology and offerings to confirm that they're using up-to-date equipment that produces quality work. If possible, consult reviews of the lab or speak with other practices that have worked with the lab to get a feel for their business. Happy partnerships come from being informed professionals.

3 Signs You May Need a New Dental Lab

Dentistry is an honorable practice that requires hard work and a passion for helping people stay healthy and feel good about themselves. Unfortunately, your dental practice could suffer if it uses an outside dental lab that doesn't seem to share the same values. 


While dental laboratory services for a dentist office could just be behind the times, it might behoove you and your patients to make the switch to a new lab. If you're considering making a switch but aren't sure if it's a good move or not, here are some signs that it's time. 

 

Interruption in Service

Perhaps at one time, maybe in the first few years of partnership, your dental lab provided their products and services on time each delivery. However, you've noticed that recently they have begun to lack in their service and deliveries are usually late. When you reach out to see what's going on, they tell you that they're busy, but you have a feeling they just keep dropping the ball. Maybe they had a complete interruption in service, and you're still waiting on your order and nobody is answering to explain why that is. Unfortunately, despite your once strong relationship in the past, it seems as though priorities have been shifted away from your practice, which your patients will feel more than anything. If this sounds like your situation, it's time to make the switch. 

 

Product Quality is Poor

If you notice that the products you've been receiving are of a lower quality than what you're used to, it may be time for a switch. Sometimes this is due to outdated or broken equipment, and the dental lab could just be waiting for new machinery. However, the dental laboratory services for a dentist office need to be precise and of the highest quality to ensure your patients that they are getting the best work and material possible. More than half (55%) of dental labs have some form of digital equipment in-house, so if your lab is in the 45% and providing poor products, you should be concerned. As a professional, you have to meet certain expectations and you also expect the same qualities from your dental lab services. If you keep getting unusable or poor-quality products, from either your cosmetic dental lab or digital dental lab, it's time to make a switch. 

 

Disruption in Communication

The one thing that you should absolutely expect from dental laboratory services for a dentist office is constant and effective communication. Without it, you don't get the products you need, orders get lost, and patients suffer. When patients suffer, your business suffers. If your dental lab has been difficult to get in touch with on a regular basis, then it's time to make a switch. 


Sometimes it can be hard to make the decision to drop your current dental lab, especially if you've worked with them for years. You shouldn't put your practice or your patients at risk any longer though, and finding a new lab that can provide you with the quality products and services you need, when you need them, is imperative. 


Don't wait any longer for your current dental lab to play catch up. You have a business to run and your patients depend on you. Call us today to work with a dental lab that you can depend on.