What’s better? Digital vs. analog workflow: Balancing financial, systems, and clinical control
In case you haven’t noticed, dentistry is evolving at a rapid pace. Digital workflows are reshaping the way we diagnose, the way we plan, and the way we execute treatment. I love that—until dentists measure their merit because of digital, because digital may not always mean better.
While tech and digital often delivers greater speed and efficiency, analog brings a long history of success, in several instances it is the gold standard digital is measured against.
So, “Which is best?” should be more of a, “Which is best for you and your practice?” In my humble opinion, the keys lie in understanding how each digital or analog workflow you’ll choose impacts your financial, systems, and clinical control—three core elements that drive sustainable success in any dental practice.
Financial control: Cost and ROI
On one hand, digital workflows born from intraoral scanners, CBCT, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM typically bring a higher upfront cost.
On the other hand, our new tech teammate also typically brings a predictable teammate that never gets sick or moves on… and helps its human teammates deliver far more efficiently. The initial costs of $50K to $250k are only half the story. Understanding how quickly one recoups that cost in terms of adding a tech teammate and driving greater efficiency is the balance of the story.
Analog, on the other hand offers you and I a lower upfront cost, predictable expenses, minus the speed and often very marketable wow factor. You’ll pay less today and a little more as you go.
Here’s the bottom line. As Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true.” If you’re an integrator, even though tech rapidly evolves, digital is a tremendous long-term play that drives growth and profitability. If you’re not, it’s OK. Be honest with yourself; pull in core tech as you know you’ll utilize and stay analog otherwise.
Systems control: Efficiency, workflow integration and team management
When it comes to systems and integration, there’s little argument digital does not deliver. From patient scheduling to AI codiagnostics, to the delivery of treatment, digital workflows create seamless and predictable processes for dentists and team.
Needed chair time will shrink. Improved communication in and outside our practice’s four walls will improve with speed. Touch points where human error can occur are eliminated and our most valuable commodity—time—is optimized.
When it comes to familiarity and comfort, analog is a winner. New learning curves are avoided. Communications in and out of the office stay tech free and repeatable results can occur without the dreaded “c word” … change. Just remember, in a world where you and I are constantly searching for more time, analog is without question a slower go.
Clinical control: Precision, accuracy and optimal care
In more cases than less, digital workflow brings us greater and more predictable precision. Intraoral scanners help us dodge physical impression pulls and distortions. Surgically guided implant placements ensure you and I steer clear of nerve, sinus and lack of alveolar bone danger zones. Digital software and app driven designs allow us to begin with the end in mind and 3-D printing and milling dramatically increase predictable, same day dentistry.
On the flip side, the best scanners are measure against the gold standard of a printing physical impression. Some clinical procedures still demand an analog component to the process and the craftsmanship that’s attainable with an analog process is often, still unrivalled.
So in the end, which is best … really is which is best for you?
As you assess where you are—and directionally, where you’d like to go as a practice—take time to evaluate three key areas:
- Your financial control
- Your systems control
- Your clinical control
Then ask yourself:
- Will a digital workflow improve my clinical outcomes?
- Will a digital workflow improve enough of my systems-driven efficiencies?
- Will a digital workflow improve my practice and personal financial positions?
If you get a yes … yes … and yes? That’s an easy decision: Add that tech and go digital.
If you get two out of three yeses? If you’re me—I’m still a “go digital” guy. I’ve lived it for 30 years, and it’s brought massive returns on every level.
If the answer is one yes—or three no’s—stay analog for now. Just make sure you reassess every six months. It’s easy to fall behind in dentistry.
And friends, as always, when you’re ready to take a deeper dive, connect. We’re always happy to help.
