You can take advantage of advancements in technology that are having a dramatic impact on practices - minimal invasive dentistry. New restorations and materials are now available that can be introduced into the mouth without producing harmful, irreversible, incompatible and unnecessary dentistry. Educate your patients so they understand this idea and how it can benefit them. Dentists that are the most technologically advanced will attract the most desirable patients - those who want the best and are willing to pay for it. Minimal invasive dentistry equates to less pain, more enjoyable visits, aesthetically pleasing restorations, and consequently, more word-of- mouth referrals.

An example of minimal invasive treatment: A 15-year-old girl lost her upper four front teeth in a severe automobile accident. The standard treatment would have been to destroy the adjacent teeth as abutments. Instead, we developed a restoration that consists of four abutments with occlusal inlay preparations double abutted on both sides, resulting in a restoration that supports the four anterior teeth. With the advancements in adhesive and bonding agents, dentists can now bond in these types of restorations without completely destroying natural dentition. This innovative process worked beautifully on the teenager, who was ecstatic with the outcome.

Before

After

It is imperative that dentists seek out and identify the manufacturers and laboratories which will enable you to achieve these kinds of results. You want to work with a laboratory that is committed to research and development in this new area. The advancement of cosmetic and restorative technology, combined with a consumer's desire to look and feel their best, has opened new doors for dentists. But many dentists overlook one of the primary elements of a successful cosmetic or restorative practice: The quality of their dental laboratory.

I regularly attend dental conferences and at each of these I meet dentists with sad tales about their dental labs. It can be a porcelain veneer that didn't match, or an implant that didn't fit the patient's mouth. Whatever the problem, it makes them and their patients unhappy. Worst of all, it reflects poorly on their quality as a dentist.

I also meet dentists who are perfectly happy with their dental labs, or at least they think so. Often they've been with the lab for several years, so they're no longer comparing. When I tell them what's available now - from both a technological and cost competitive standpoint - their eyebrows raise. "Really?" they say. "I guess I hadn't really thought about it." I'll tell you what I tell them - you can't afford not to think about it.

Dentists don't need to be saddled with bad, mediocre, or even decent dental labs. And you don't need to pay exorbitant rates for effective service. All it takes is knowing what you want - and demanding it - to get the quality and service you and your patients deserve.

The first question you need to ask yourself is, "Do I need to shop around?" If you're happy with both the quality and price of your lab, you might not. But be sure you know what's out there. I once convinced a skeptical dentist that he could cut costs by 15 to 20% if he went with a national lab instead of the one down on the corner. He still uses his corner lab for procedures such as front teeth veneering, but for other procedures he now relies on his national lab - and saves a bundle.

Cutting costs means nothing if you lose quality, however. Large dental labs often propose "cookie cutter" solutions to your patients' problems, which end up not being solutions at all. And when it comes to customer service, you can be shuffled from technician to technician - a frustrating and time-consuming experience.

Specialty and smaller labs take an integrated approach. They will usually meet one- on-one with you, find out exactly what you need for a specific patient, then make sure you're happy with the result. In short, it means teamwork - working with you to give your patient the results they desire. A specialty lab needs to be more than small and attentive, however. It needs to be technologically advanced, and trained in the latest and most effective procedures. Only then can you offer your patients the latest in materials, comfort and quality restoration.

For instance, if you're doing implants, your lab should be trained and experienced in a wide variety of methods. It should be registered in Core-Vent, certified in Branemark, and trained in Ster-ioss, IMZ and Calcitek, so that your patients have a whole range of options, not to mention financial flexibility.

To identify whether a lab is technologically advanced, ask about its training. Do its technicians and staff members regularly attend seminars and clinics? Ask about their ties to manufacturers and suppliers. Sometimes a discount lab is inexpensive because it's out of the loop - it doesn't have access to the latest advancements and industry trends.

Whether you've been with your lab for ten years or ten days, remember: You deserve to be more than just satisfied with their work. You can find both technology and teamwork in a specialty lab at a competitive price. Innovation, professionalism and service are not extras. They should be an integral part of whatever lab you decide to do business with.