The benefits of a model-less workflow

Teeth ModelThe model-less workflow has revolutionized dental fabrication in a very short period of tie, upending decades of traditional model-oriented design and manufacturing processes.

In 2017, more than 25 percent of dentists and labs were working in model-less workflow.

While the speed of the transformation has been astounding, the reasons behind this quick adoption rate are simple: a model-less workflow provides clear benefits in nearly every stage of the fabrication process.

From taking digital impressions to the final fit, a model-less workflow is often faster, more accurate and requires less finicky adjustment to get the perfect result.

Here’s what you need to know.

Faster Processes with Model-Less Workflows

A model-less workflow driven by entirely digital dental scanners can significantly reduce the time it takes you for to complete a restorative treatment course for your patients.

your patients don’t need to spend time sitting in a chair waiting. 

This speed boost starts with the very first step, as you no longer need to worry about dealing with fickle impressions and molding materials. This means your patients don’t need to spend time sitting in a chair waiting for a mold to set, all while tasting the often unpleasant impressions material.

Skipping the dry and setting times also means you’re able to start examining the digital impression more quickly and can immediately identify any scanning or patient errors that may have led to a sub-optimal result in fabrication.

The model-less process also provides a significantly shorter design and review time. In traditional model-based procedures, you often need to wait two or more weeks for your lab to complete the restoration item so you can begin the fitting process.

Indeed, it usually takes most of a day or two before a technician is even able to begin reviewing your physical impressions, making for very inconvenient scheduling in the event that you need to call the patient back for another round of impressions.

In contrast, a model-less process can easily yield a final product within 48 hours, and even within 24 hours, in the most time-sensitive cases.

Better Cost Efficiency

Transitioning into a model-less workflow means you can do away with all the supplies and equipment necessary to support a purely impressions-based fabrication process.

From resins and mixing equipment to impressions trays and more, entire store-room shelves can be cleared of supplies that are no longer necessary.

This means the initial investment in digital scanning equipment may quickly pay for itself, and you’ll also no longer need to worry about ordering and tracking as much inventory for your impressions-based procedures.

entire store-room shelves can be cleared of supplies that are no longer necessary.

The ease of the scanning process also means your practice can rely more on technicians and other staff, freeing the physicians to focus on patient care, which speeds up your overall throughput and appointment activities.

Better Communication Between Technicians and Dentists

Thanks to the immediate feedback provided by digital scanning processes, you can begin communicating with your physicians as soon as you’ve finished scanning. Digital scans can also be zoomed and examined in minute detail, letting your physicians identify problem areas quickly and easily, and without further delaying your workflow.

This faster communications dynamic continues into the fabrication process, when your lab can easily notify your office of any issues, facilitating real-time consultations to adjust the final result as necessary and guarantee a good fit for your patients.

Better Production Quality

For many dental technicians, the biggest benefit of model-less workflows is the increased accuracy that results from ditching physical molds. You’ll no longer worry about dealing with distortions and model inaccuracies, and any errors in the scan can be immediately identify and fixed just as quickly.

Many dentists say they’ve been able to cut seating times in half. 

With fewer adjustments and higher accuracy out of the gate, your turnaround times can drop sharply, and many dentists and labs say they’ve been able to cut seating times in half.

Whether you’re looking to cut costs, speed workflows or boost accuracy, model-less fabrication processes provide significant benefits in every area.

Scroll to Top