Part 3 | The Digital Orthodentist: In-Office Milling

“Never before in the history of mankind has the pace of innovation and technological acceleration been faster than it is today.” —Yannick Schilly

In this three-part digital orthodentist series, we have been discussing the rapid evolution of dental technology. The power of in-office scanning and 3D printing systems have made leaps and bounds from where they were just a few short years ago. So, with that it is no surprise that in-office milling has made similar advancements. But just like intraoral scanning and 3D printing, the marketplace has exploded over recent years with more systems available to dental professionals than ever before. The goal of this article is to help the reader understand the advantages and disadvantages of different styles of milling machines, as well as to understand if in-office milling is the right fit for their office.

Choosing an in-office milling system is a big investment, and it’s wise for the practitioner to do their research into what fits their practice goals, patient experience, budget, clinical space, etc. It’s very important to know the “why” for wanting to bring in-lab manufacturing into the office. For some, it is for the convenience of “same day” or “same appointment” indirect restorations like on-lays and crowns. For others, it is the ability to have more control over quality and costs when offering comprehensive dentistry. No matter the reason, having clarity of the purpose of bringing this technology and the goals of its impact is paramount to successful implementation.