<h3>What are intraoral scanners?</h3>

<p>Intraoral scanners create digitized dental impressions. In a way, they are drivers for the digitization of dentistry. Depending on the manufacturer and device, you will find different types of application, handling, and quality as well as modes of operation. The main difference between conventional impression taking with plaster models and intraoral scanners, however, is that the latter work completely contactless. They scan the surfaces of the dentition in the oral cavity and create point clouds to form a digital image. A 3D model is then automatically generated and displayed on the screen.</p>

<h3>Advantages of intraoral scanners</h3>

<p>Digital scanning workflows have many advantages. They save a considerable amount of time, as the three-dimensional model is automatically generated during the scanning process. This in turn saves on personnel resources, as plaster casts become obsolete. Digital files help cut transport costs for the models (e.g., deliveries to orthodontists or dental technicians). Apart from that, sources of error can be minimized.</p>

<p>In addition, digital models can be archived and retrieved at any time &ndash; in other words, no storage space is required. You can immediately process the generated data and discuss findings with your patients. Digital scans generally increase patient comfort, as there is no need to take impressions. The ecological aspect should not be neglected either. Intraoral scanners eliminate waste. If you do need a physical model, it can be 3D printed at any time.</p>

<h3>Profitability and conclusion</h3>

<p>Despite all the advantages, cost-effectiveness is an important issue. The acquisition costs of between &euro;15,000 and &euro;45,000 are quite high. Depending on the provider, you might even have to pay scan fees from &euro;1,000 to &euro;4,000 annually. However, software updates are included.</p>

<p>Analog processes in your dental practice cannot be digitized overnight either. This will require a lot of work, time, and also money. After all, you and your employees have to get used to these new workflows. The sheer number of providers and different devices can be overwhelming at first. It is therefore advisable to intensively research the subject beforehand and, if necessary, seek professional advice.</p>

<p>For all these reasons, the question of whether a digital scanner is worthwhile for your dental practice cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Many individual factors such as frequency of use or actual time and cost savings play a role. However, the path toward more digitization is certainly an important step for building a future-proof practice that brings significant added value not only for you but also for your patients.</p>


Intraoral scanners: basics, advantages, and costs

Intraoral scanners: basics, advantages, and costs > image

The full digitization of your dental practice cannot be accomplished overnight. In recent years, more and more options have become available for setting up a digital workflow in your everyday work. This also includes the intraoral scanner. It replaces conventional plaster models with modern digital scanning technology.

<h3>What is 3D printing?</h3>

<p>Over the past years, 3D printing has continuously evolved &ndash; also in the field of dentistry. In general, 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process in which material is deposited layer by layer to create three-dimensional objects. The process is controlled by a computer and the objects are designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software. No tools of any kind are used. Printing materials can be liquid or solid.</p>

<p>Nowadays, 3D printing has gained a foothold in many industrial sectors, research, art, and other areas. Even houses can be built with it. In the medical sector, 3D printing is used primarily in dentistry. Splints, crowns, models for clear aligner treatment, drilling templates, and impression trays are just a few examples that can already be 3D printed.</p>

<h3>The advantages of 3D printing in dentistry</h3>

<p>Although the initial cost of 3D printers can be off-putting, they pay off in the long run. 3D printers are available at prices ranging from &euro;1,000 to &euro;60,000. They differ mainly in their accuracy, platform size, printing speed, and printing technology. So, it certainly makes sense to identify potential areas and the extent to which 3D printing could be used.</p>

<p>3D printing offers enormous advantages over conventional manufacturing processes. For example, to create a dental prosthesis the impression had to be cast by hand with a plaster compound. This copy was then milled out by the dental technician or a milling machine. Up to 80% of the material was left over and could no longer be used. If you use a 3D printer instead, the entire process is digitized. First, an intraoral scanner takes a digital impression, which is transferred to the dental laboratory. There it is converted into a 3D teeth model on the screen in about 30 minutes. This model can then be 3D printed.</p>

<p>Thus, workflows are optimized and there is hardly any surplus material. In addition, costs are significantly lower in the long term. Finer structures can ensure even higher quality. Apart from that, surgeons can also use 3D models to plan and practice the whole surgery. Last but not least, digitization also eliminates transportation and corresponding potential damage to dental objects.</p>

<h3>All advantages at a glance:</h3>

<ul class="simpleList">
	<li class="simpleListItem">higher quality due to finer and more accurate structures</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">lower costs</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">improved workflows through digitization</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">less time required</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">no external sources of error</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">flexible planning due to digital versions</li>
</ul>

<h3>The most common 3D printing technologies in dentistry</h3>

<p>Depending on the application, different printers are used in dentistry. In the early days of 3D printing, Multi Jet Modeling (MJM) was particularly successful. Liquid synthetic resin is jetted through very fine nozzles onto the build platform and immediately cured with UV light. In MJM, several materials can be used simultaneously and many different objects can be printed in one go. Due to the enormous size of the printer as well as the high cost of acquiring and maintaining a printer, MJM has been increasingly superseded by other 3D printing technologies.</p>

<p>Probably the most common 3D printing technologies in dentistry are stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). Both use similar technologies but differ mainly in the type of light source. In SLA, liquid resin is cured by a laser point by point in a very precise manner. Advantages include low acquisition costs, high resolution, and flexibility in terms of material. Changing the material is simply a matter of changing the resin container. SLA produces smoother surfaces than DLP.</p>

<p>In DLP, a digital video projector cures the materials using many different micromirrors. Compared to SLA, smaller sizes can be realized, but the process is more expensive. Both DLP and SLA printed parts require post-processing. In general, however, 3D printers do have a positive impact. They help optimize processes and results and dentistry is thus advancing step by step.</p>


3D printing in dentistry

3D print RGB 72dpi

3D printing has long since ceased to be a nerdy gimmick. Dentistry benefits more than any other branch of medicine from developments in this field. 3D printing completely digitizes the fabrication of splints, crowns, impression trays, and more. Saving time and money and achieving more precise and reliable results are just a few of the benefits that high-quality 3D printers offer. The possibilities of 3D printing in dentistry are already amazing.

<h3>Running ads with your individual budget</h3>

<p>Unlike Google Ads, you manage both your Facebook and Instagram ads via Facebook Ads Manager, where you can create, place, evaluate, and optimize your ads. In contrast to the bidding process on Google, you set a maximum budget for your Facebook and Instagram ads. It is entirely up to you how much you want to invest.</p>

<p>You can also narrow down the target group, i.e., who should see the ad. Age, gender, profession, and socio-economic background are just a few of the criteria that you can define. The more specific the target group, the better your chances of success. Part of placing ads is also to constantly optimize them. Try your hand here and find out which ad works best.</p>

<p>In addition, you can also choose the format of your advertising campaign. For example, social media &ldquo;stories&rdquo; or &ldquo;ad posts&rdquo; are interesting options. Would you like to combine text and images? Or do you have a great image film that you would like to display? No problem: social media advertising offers many different options for your dental practice.</p>

<h3>Quality content is key</h3>

<p>Once you have accomplished your goal of capturing the interest of your target audience, make sure that the second impression on your social media profile is just as good. This is a matter of both quantity and quality. The more (appropriate!) channels you use for your advertising, the more visibility you achieve. However, quality content is also key as it makes your dental practice more personal and approachable for patients.</p>

<p>Let us have a look at Facebook and Instagram again. Both platforms offer different approaches. Facebook is more focused on using text for conveying information and content. Nevertheless, you can also add pictures and videos to each post. Instagram, on the other hand, focuses on visual impressions. In this context, image aesthetics and expressiveness are key. You can, for example, share impressions of your practice, the latest treatment methods, or even new equipment.</p>

<p>The content should be varied, informative, and well prepared. Focus on posting content regularly to create a well-maintained social media profile for your dental practice. By running ads both on Facebook and Instagram, you can create individual dental practice images while reaching even more potential patients.</p>

<h3>Suggestions for creating suitable content</h3>

<ul class="simpleList">
	<li class="simpleListItem">Personal history/story/resume of the dentist/team</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Impressions from the practice</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Information on current events (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic)</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Notes on changed opening hours</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">New equipment/renovation of the practice</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">News on treatment methods</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Easter and Christmas greetings to patients</li>
</ul>


Social media for dental practices: how to place ads on Facebook and Instagram

dentalXrai SocialMedia RGB 72dpi

The broad field of online marketing also includes social media. Social media advertising is another interesting strategy for promoting your dental practice. Why? Because even a small budget can quickly pay off. In this article, you will learn how to get started, which options you have, and what you need to bear in mind.

<h3>Why is advertising relevant for dentists?</h3>

<p>Surely, we all have searched for something on Google. In most cases, a quick search will reveal the results you are looking for. Google is optimized to match search terms (called keywords) with the most useful articles and websites. So, for example, when searching for &ldquo;dentist near me&rdquo;, users will receive lists of dentists located in their area.</p>

<p>In order to be ranked as a relevant page by Google, you can employ search engine optimization. This means improving your website according to certain criteria and making it more user-oriented. It is free, but it takes a lot of time and know-how. Google Ads is a simpler option. It can be used to &ldquo;buy&rdquo; a higher ranking (list position) in the search results to draw attention to your dental practice. By literally bidding on one or more keywords, you will be ranked higher up on the list when users enter these terms in Google. However, your website should still be optimized for user-friendliness.</p>

<h3>How Google Ads works</h3>

<p>Google Ads is based on the cost-per-click model. Thus, you only pay when users click on your ad. You are not charged for the mere display and visibility (impression) of the ad. As your click rate is calculated based on the number of clicks, you will always know immediately how much it costs to generate a click.</p>

<p>In addition, Google Ads offers the possibility to &ldquo;track&rdquo; your ads (monitor their effectiveness). Among other things, you will see which target groups have seen your ad, how many clicks it generated, and which search terms were entered. This data provides valuable information to further optimize your ad.</p>

<p>Perhaps the most significant step is to identify the right keywords. Who are your target audiences and what terms are they searching for to find a dental practice? There are several ways to establish these facts. Google Suggest is probably the easiest one. For example, if you enter the term &ldquo;dentist&rdquo; in the Google search box, Google will suggest related search queries that are frequently made under the search box. You can use them as keywords for your ad. Google&rsquo;s Keyword Planner offers a more sophisticated approach. Enter your search terms and you will discover more relevant data and keywords.</p>

<p>Once you have decided on the appropriate keywords, it is time to design the ad. An ad always consists of the following elements:</p>

<ul class="simpleList">
	<li class="simpleListItem">A heading with a maximum of 25 characters</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Two lines of text with a maximum of 35 characters each</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">The ad URL with a maximum of 35 characters</li>
</ul>

<p>As already mentioned, you have to &ldquo;buy&rdquo; the keywords via a bidding process. Typically, the more popular a keyword, the more expensive it is. Note that the most expensive keyword might not be the most profitable. Google Ads should help you to attract new patients to your dental practice. If the price of an ad is too high, it is advisable to choose another keyword.</p>

<p>Whatever you decide to do: Advertising is essential for attracting new patients. Whether it is through Google Ads, social media, or a completely different medium is up to you. Therefore, our recommendation is to look into various options and then choose what best fits your situation.</p>


Visibility on the Internet: Google Ads for dentists

Visibility on the Internet: Google Ads for dentists > image

Nowadays, the easiest way for dentists to advertise their services is via the Internet. There are numerous possibilities. It takes relatively little effort to quickly reach a broad audience or very specific target groups. Google Ads as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are probably the most effective methods.

<h3>Why is practice marketing important for me as a dentist?</h3>

<p>In recent years, the field of online marketing has continued to evolve, creating more and more opportunities for a wide variety of business sectors. This is due to the steadily growing use of the Internet. Every day, for example, around 5.5 billion people use Google search. Creating visibility for one&rsquo;s services is both a primary goal and a difficult challenge. Potential patients can be reached more quickly, more specifically, and much more easily.</p>

<p>There are two ways for patients to find a dental practice: by word of mouth or by searching the Internet. If the former does not provide any clues or recommendations, the only remaining option is to search the World Wide Web. In that case, it is up to you to ensure that patients can find you and that your internet presence is professional and authentic and leaves a positive impression.</p>

<h3>Your internet presence: a professional website as the basis for practice marketing</h3>

<p>The first impression is usually created by a practice&rsquo;s website. It is, so to speak, the basis of your internet presence. Users expect a modern but at the same time intuitive and informal website. Thus, it is important to fulfill these expectations if patients are to choose your practice. You can start off with visual impressions, like pictures from your practice, the staff, etc. and round it off with the information your patients need.</p>

<p>What dental equipment do you have? How can patients reach your practice? How experienced are you as a dentist? Be authentic and write only about the things you are comfortable with about yourself. Only in this way will you appear relatable and also be able to connect to potential patients emotionally. Keep in mind that your website should be optimized for mobile devices. In Germany, 82% of users accessed the Internet via smartphones and the like in 2021.</p>

<p>If you search for the terms &ldquo;dentist near me&rdquo;, Google will show you a listing of corresponding practices. As this preview is pretty much the first thing patients see of you, try to make sure to display all important information. Reviews are also written and listed there. By answering negative reviews, you will show new patients that you are proactive and that you care.</p>

<h3>Social media, rating portals, etc.</h3>

<p>Once you have covered basic marketing measures, you can go further. Probably the easiest thing to start with is creating company profiles on Facebook and Instagram. In 2021, 32 million people used Facebook and 21 million Instagram in Germany every day. You can use these platforms to convey even more visual impressions. Share news related to your practice and communicate directly with your patients if desired. Feel free to show a more private side of yourself and your team, but always remain professional. In this way, you will strengthen the bond with your patients.</p>

<p>If you are willing to spend some money, you can also use social media to acquire new patients. You can send postings to strategically selected target groups. Ad placement on Google is also an option. There you can &ldquo;buy&rdquo; a higher ranking (upper placement in the ad list) in the corresponding search results and thus achieve better visibility.</p>

<p>One final aspect of dental practice marketing that should not be overlooked is dental practice rating portals. Rating portals serve as the Internet&rsquo;s word of mouth. Sign up your practice for the relevant portals (e.g. jameda and sanego) so that patients can rate you. If the ratings are good, other users are motivated to check out your practice. If the ratings are rather poor, answer them and take the criticism as useful feedback.</p>

<p>In summary, it is quite advisable to move with the times and upgrade your internet presence. This will increase your visibility online, patients can find you faster and get a direct impression of your practice. Now it is up to you to make that first impression a good one. Use this checklist as a guide:</p>

<ul class="simpleList">
	<li class="simpleListItem">Create your individual website</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Be authentic, empathetic, and professional</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Respond to Google reviews of your practice</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Sign up your practice for relevant rating portals</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Use social media for increased visibility and a more personal connection with patients</li>
	<li class="simpleListItem">Resort to Google Ads if you want to be listed further up the search results</li>
</ul>


Dental practice marketing: online marketing for dentists

dentalXrai dentist marketing RGB 72dpi-scaled

What is dental practice marketing? And why do I need it anyway? In this article, we will show you how relevant your internet presence is, how you can be successful, and what opportunities it offers. The right marketing is quite feasible and requires only time and a lot of engagement.

<h3>What is artificial intelligence?</h3>

<p>There is simply no universal definition of artificial intelligence. Some definitions understand AI as any activity normally performed by humans that is now performed by machines. Other definitions include the aspect that humans train the machine. AI is by no means a new topic. Research has been going on for about 80 years. It all started in 1943 with the development of artificial neurons. Since then, researchers have continued to expand the field and come up with ever new findings and breakthroughs.</p>

<p>A significant milestone was the development of deep learning in 2006, as well as the use of neural networks for image classification in 2012. Google&rsquo;s AlphaGo AI, which beat the world&rsquo;s best player at Go (a highly complex strategy board game) in 2015, also sparked general public interest. Now, AI can also write texts that cannot be distinguished from those written by humans. Was this text possibly also written by AI software? You would most likely not even notice.</p>

<h3>How artificial intelligence works</h3>

<p>Artificial intelligence is supposed to learn about and imitate the functions of our brains. Well-known examples of AI include voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri, autonomous driving, and the ability of smartphones to automatically recognize people in photos. Beyond that, however, there are much more complex AI systems that promise more far-reaching benefits.</p>

<p>An important term is machine learning. It refers to pattern recognition based on complex mathematical methods. Machine learning detects similarities and sorts and evaluates the data accordingly. Deep learning is part of a broader family of machine learning methods. It uses artificial neural networks (NNs).<br />
For machines, images are a collection of numbers called pixel intensity values. Algorithms use filters to capture image contents. Many different filters can detect edges, curves, corners, or textures, for example, and process a criterion as soon as it is detected. Thus, NNs &ldquo;scan&rdquo; the image systematically and extract multidimensional statistical patterns and image properties.</p>

<p>The machine learns the specifications of the filters iteratively (approximating them step by step through repetition) and independently. In the end, this results in billions of parameters. The machine learns by using nonlinear and highly complex mathematical operations. Thousands, tens of thousands, or even more images, each with a specific label, are used to &ldquo;train&rdquo; the AI. Thus, the machine gradually recognizes differences between classes and regions or can even describe the image based on its pixels. The image content (input) can thus be independently linked to the corresponding label (output).</p>

<h3>Artificial intelligence in dentistry</h3>

<p>We used this knowledge and approach to create dentalXrai Pro. This AI software supports dentists in analyzing X-ray images (panoramic and bitewing radiographs). It can classify teeth and restorations but also detects certain pathologies such as caries or apical lesions. During its development, the software was subjected to tests in various studies to compare the diagnoses with those of different dentists. In fact, the AI was in some cases significantly more accurate than the average dentist.</p>

<p>Despite very complex algorithms, the software manages to display highly accurate results within seconds. This is how AI can support dentistry. Daily tasks, such as analyzing X-ray images and creating reports, can be automated, which in turn creates more time for dentists to spend with their patients.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346426773_Schwendicke_et_al_Kunstliche_Intelligenz_in_der_Bildanalytik_Kunstliche_Intelligenz_Was_ist_das" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This publication</a>&nbsp;(German only) written by our co-founders Prof. Dr. Falk Schwendicke and Dr. Joachim Krois provides further and more detailed information on the topic of artificial intelligence in dentistry.</p>

<p>To dive deeper into the topic don&rsquo;t miss the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zm-online.de/archiv/2022/07/zahnmedizin/so-bringt-ki-eine-zweitmeinung-in-die-praxis/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article series</a>&nbsp;on ZM Online (German only) &ndash; also published by Dr. Schwendicke and Dr. Krois.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>* According to the study &ldquo;Detecting caries lesions of different radiographic extension on bitewings using deep learning&rdquo; of 2020 our AI &ldquo;dentalXrai Pro&rdquo; detects up to 3x more caries lesions at an early stage in comparison with conventional dental diagnoses.</p>


AI: how does artificial intelligence work and how can dentistry benefit from it?

AI: how does artificial intelligence work and how can dentistry benefit from it? > image

Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence (AI) works? What is the technology behind it? How do you program an algorithm? How can AI use pixels to distinguish between different diseases on a black and white X-ray? How do you train AI and how long does it take? In this article, you will learn how AI can be used to advance dentistry.

<h2>Latest treatment approaches, technologies and<br />
innovations in dentistry</h2>


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<p style="text-align: center;">How to make my dental practice fit for the future?<br />
How can I increase the traffic of my practice with the help of online marketing?<br />
What are the latest treatment approaches?<br />
Here you will find all valuable information about the latest developments in dentistry.</p>

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<p style="text-align: center;">*For reasons of readability, no distinction has been made between male, female<br />
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