Run With It?

Jeffrey Caso

13 years ago

Bringing the CEREC technology into your office is a big step. Actually, it's a huge step. It's a big financial commitment. It's a commitment of time. It's a commitment to advance yourself through ongoing education. It's a commitment to changing the way things are done in your office. If you have gone through it already then you know full well what I am talking about. If you're on the fence and thinking about the technology, well then, what are you waiting for? Sure it's going to change a great deal of things in your office and your life, but isn't that what practicing dentistry is all about? Staying fresh, staying engaged and staying happy.

I am now at the part in my CEREC journey - and yes, it's a journey, closer to a marathon than a sprint but one that you will enjoy immensely - where I want more. Fortunately, there is always something else. Something challenging and exciting. I see it as three paths that for me intersect and cross over and over again.

My chairside system is serving me very well. So now it's time to begin the next phase. For me, it's InLab. I want to bring even more of the things I offer my patients in house. I want to mill my own implant abutments, permanent bridges and Zirconium restorations. It's another investment of time to learn something new, but it's exciting as well. The lab end of dentistry has always fascinated me. Why not explore it a bit further? I plan to start tomorrow getting this done. My lab needs some new equipment and getting that before year end will help in other ways.

Once I have a good handle on the lab side of CEREC, then it's time to jump on guided implant placement. That's actually work that's ongoing and I am beginning to train for it now. I so look forward to the day I place my first implant. That will be the culmination of a several years long plan. It will be a good feeling.

So, my point is this: Getting into the CEREC technology is fantastic. Taking it as far as you can isn't for everyone, but it sure is available to you though. Push yourself just a bit every day. Are you only doing single posterior units? If so, push for that anterior crown in an easy going patient. Push to do two units next to each other then the quad. Challenge yourself to soar with your machine. Then move on to the next big challenge like I am. Educate yourself along the way and be happy practicing dentistry for an entire career. Get out of your comfort zone just a little bit every day, but most of all, enjoy it!