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    • Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2016 10 16oct6bcsimmons Ed T
    1. Dentistry

    Buying new toys for your dental office

    Oct. 4, 2016
    Breakthrough Clinical’s Editorial Director Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, explains why she loves her new digital scanner and dental imaging, as well as what she looks for in buying a new piece of dental technology for her practice.
    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter
    This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.It’s clear that the digital and technological world has firmly made its footprint in dentistry, and if you’re like me, you don’t want to get left behind. That clearly comes at a price and again, if you’re like me, you have to study the market for the latest and greatest gadgets and gismos, assess your finances, and then decide whether to take the plunge and purchase said toy(s). My colleague and co-editorial director, Dr. Josh Austin, is an expert at dental technology (see his newsletter).

    Well, the latest addition to my digital armamentarium has not disappointed. I recently purchased the Carestream CS 3600 digital scanner. What do I like best? This piece of dental imaging equipment didn’t break my budget, its small and easy to use, it integrates with my software (Eaglesoft), it scans quickly, customer support is readily (and easily) available, my crown/bridge and scanned denture cases come back quickly and accurately, there are no associated fees, I don’t have to mess with impression material, and my patients love it! They get so excited about seeing a scanned image of their tooth that can be flipped around on the screen—all of their friends just have to know about it. Talk about a win-win.

    I’ve only been using it two months and I’ve not yet tapped into the full potential of the scanner, but that will come with time. Bottom line: I’m never going back to impression material.

    Sleep apnea is something I’m trying to continually learn more about, and we’re fortunate to have the president of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine as an author this month. Dr. Harold A. Smith writes about how we can bridge the gap between dentists and physicians when treating our sleep apnea patients. Teamwork is key to a successful outcome.

    Retreat or apicoectomy? What are the factors that we need to consider when a root canal is not successful? Dr. Michael Zuroff, an endodontist out of Michigan, is back to give us his perspective.

    I know you’ll enjoy the pathology case from Ghana in West Africa. Give us your thoughts. You just can’t make this stuff up.

    Happy fall, my friends!

    Staceysimmonsdds Small Signature

    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS
    Editorial Director, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS

    LAST MONTH . . . Doing dentistry the wrong (but right!) way

    This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.

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    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, is in private practice in Hamilton, Montana. She is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry. Dr. Simmons is a guest lecturer at the University of Montana in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. She is the editorial director of PennWell’s clinical dental specialties newsletter, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, and a contributing author for DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and Dental Economics. Dr. Simmons can be reached at [email protected].

    For the most current dental headlines, click here.