”One of the great aspects of this system is you can look at your prep or die model before you send it to the lab and you can make corrections or add scans to get the best impression possible. This technology is definitely making me a better dentist. For almost all of the cases the restoration seats within 5 minutes, many with no adjustments at all. With some, when I first seat the restoration it’s contacts are slightly tight, which I prefer.

Once I run a polishing disc over the contacts, it seats immediately. I have only had to remake one unit (due to a chip on the model that wasn’t questioned and could have been verified on the digital file) and needed to spend about 15 minutes adjusting on one other case (tooth # 30 and we had to adjust the contacts and the occlusion. To be honest, I don’t know why but I suspect I just did not have him biting right when I took the scan.). I used to x-ray each restoration after seating it and I find it’s just not necessary now and is a waste of time—the margins are all perfect. My patients are extremely impressed with the technology too! The most common thing they say is how nice it is to not have the “goop” put in their mouth. I am sure to tell them “that’s great”, but the accuracy of the technology is what amazes me. They also comment about how quickly the insert visit goes. My patients have been thanking me for investing in this new technology on their behalf. They say they like to come to our office because we always have the latest and greatest to help make their dentistry easier and better.”

What is iTero?

At your office:
1. You fill out a digital RX right on the iTero unit. The RX has required fields that eliminate things like missing shades, material selection, patient last name, etc. By telling the iTero unit what tooth or teeth are prepped, the software then intelligently guides you through the mouth starting with the prepped area, then adjacent and opposing teeth, followed by a digital bite registration.

2. Coating the teeth is NOT required, as with first generation digital impression systems.

3. You are guided through the review of your scans with voice prompts until a complete and accurate image is captured, making necessary adjustments to the prep if needed. The entire process will take an experienced user about 2 to 4 minutes on average. 4. You, with a “click of the mouse”, send the digital image to Cadent and BECDEN via a wireless internet connection and we do the rest until it’s time for you to seat the restoration(s).

At Becden:
1. We retrieve the file from your office using Cadent’s advanced CAD technology.

2. Necessary adjustments or changes are made to the virtual margin line and virtual coping design.

3. Once approved by us, the digital file is sent to Cadent for milling of the model. BECDEN fabricates the highly esthetic restorations with any type of material that the case may call for. We are not limited to all-ceramic!

At Cadent:
1. Cadent uses the digital file to mill a physical model and removable dies; we order two dies, so one can be used for the final quality control inspection. BECDEN seals the 2nd die in an envelope as part of the BECDEN quality system. The seal is broken strictly by our Technical Support Team during their inspection prior to shipping.

2. The models and dies are sent via overnight mail to BECDEN for fabrication of whatever product has been requested. (Authentic, Empress, Zirconia, PFM, etc.)

• Improves your patient’s experience at your office by eliminating traditional impressions.

• Gives you the opportunity, while the patient is still in the chair, to utilize the occlusal clearance tool, or remove a sharp line angle, or modify a margin, ultimately to optimize the results— because you can.

• Reduces chairtime, primarily at the seating appointment.

• Enhances your reputation as a high-quality, high-tech, practice.

• Creates word-of-mouth marketing as patients tell others of their experience

• Achieves superior fitting restorations with little or no adjustments or remakes due to fit and / or technician error in die trimming (remember “time is money”).

• Reduces consumable expenses (less costly than impression material)—email becky@becdendental.com for a copy of a Cost Comparison Worksheet.

• Helps you become a “better dentist” by having the capability to review your preparations prior to sending them to the lab. You all know how often I say, “we can never judge an impression until it’s poured”. Using this technology you now can!

• Eliminates the uncomfortable process of having conventional impression taking; no bad tasting material, gagging, or messy material stuck to their faces.

• Decreases time in the chair because the digital impression is complete within three to five minutes, versus eight to ten minutes for two conventional impressions.

• Eliminates potential feelings of claustrophobia or anxiety from having their mouth filled with “gook”. The scanner can be stopped and started as needed.

• Allows for fewer visits to your office since the iTero impression is so accurate, the need for multiple try-in or remake appointments is virtually eliminated.

• Increases feelings of trust in you as their dentist and respect for your desire to provide them with the very best technology.

• Provides us with confidence that your preparation has adequate reduction to create an ideal restoration, which eliminates those “dreaded” phone calls about reducing opposing or supplying a transfer coping.

• Assures that all margins are readable.

• Creates a model milled out of a resin-like material that is extremely strong to withstand the manufacturing process with out chipping or wearing.

• Eliminates technician error during die trimming since margins are trimmed by the miller.

• Decreases costs for remakes and repairs.

Published by BECDEN Dental Laboratory 131 E. 13065 S. Draper, UT 84020 888-344-9991 toll-free 801-576-9991 phone

The editor of this newsletter is Emily Webb of Becden Dental Laboratory, Inc. Please send any questions or comments about this newsletter, or suggestions for articles to: emilyw@becdendental.com ©2008 BECDEN Dental Laboratory, Inc.