Should You Invest in Chairside Milling or 3D Printing?

How do milling and printing compare in durability and cost?

Which option provides the best long-term ROI for your workflow?

In this deep dive, Dr. Rustom Moopen shares his experience with CEREC, ExoCAD, and in-house fabrication, breaking down the real benefits and limitations of both technologies.

From restoration strength to efficiency and investment costs, this episode unpacks what every dentist needs to know before taking the leap into milling, printing, and CAD/CAM workflows.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Achieving the same effect (of the ‘Soft Clamp’ by Kerr) with a metal clamp without requiring a potentially painful palatal injection – Dr. Jo Cape (Protruserati) suggests using a cotton bud to apply topical anesthetic to the gingiva where the clamp will be placed, leaving it for a minute, improving patient comfort!

Key TakeAway:

• Investing in technology like milling can lead to a measurable ROI.
• Time management is crucial in dental procedures for efficiency.
• Milling is a subtractive process, while printing is additive.
• Mentorship is often more valuable than formal courses.
• The dental industry is evolving with new technologies.
• Understanding the nuances of dental procedures can enhance practice.
• Early adoption of technology can set a practice apart.
• Milling and printing serve different purposes in dental work.
• Mock-ups can save time and improve patient satisfaction.
• Milling offers more reliability than printing for dental applications.
• The choice between milling and printing depends on personal preference and practice needs.
• Milled composites have a proven track record of durability.
• Printed splints may not hold up under heavy use.
• Investing in milling technology can enhance practice efficiency.
• Design software plays a crucial role in modern dentistry.
• Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each method is essential for success. Investing in dental software can be costly but worthwhile.
• Learning design software is crucial for modern dentistry.
• Milling is generally superior to printing for final restorations.
• Regulatory considerations are important for in-house lab work.
• Choosing the right milling equipment depends on practice needs.
• Training and mentorship are essential for mastering dental technology.

Highlights of this episode:

• 03:29 Protrusive Dental Pearl
• 04:59 Meet Dr. Rustom Moopen: Journey of Learning and Mentorship
• 09:21 Early Adoption of CAD/CAM Technology
• 11:54 The Practicalities of Chairside Milling
• 19:01 Emax Chairside Workflow
• 23:10 Printing vs. Milling: Understanding the Basics
• 26:48 Printed Mock-Ups and Workflow Integration
• 29:43 Comparing Milled and Printed Composites
• 32:07 The Future of Splints: Milling vs. Printing
• 35:50 Choices After Scanning a Tooth
• 37:16 Milling vs. Printing: Pros and Cons
• 41:11 Design Software and Training
• 49:28 Practical Applications of 3D Printing
• 53:42 Investing in Digital Dentistry
• 55:35 Printed Restorations vs Direct Composite
• 56:45 Regulatory Concerns
• 58:31 Investing in Milling Units
• 01:00:53 Ideal Candidates for Milling
• 01:03:49 Training and Resources 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss PDP137 – Q&A with a Dental Technician!

#PDPMainEpisodes #BreadandButterDentistry

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.

AGD Subject Code: 130 ELECTIVES (Product/technology training)

This episode aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of 3D printing, milling, and digital dentistry, enabling clinicians to integrate these technologies efficiently into their workflow for improved precision, cost-effectiveness, and patient outcomes.

Dentists will be able to –

1. Differentiate between 3D printing and milling, understanding their respective strengths, limitations, and applications in dentistry.

2. Recognize the financial implications, including initial costs, long-term savings, and return on investment when incorporating digital fabrication.

3. Understand the workflow of chairside milling, including preparation, scanning, design, fabrication, and finishing of restorations.