In this issue:
Doubling Down: The Impact of Adding a Second Mill
Interview with
Shortly after opening his Lakewood, Colorado, practice in 2021, Dr. Paul Raines invested in the glidewell.io™ In-Office Solution. Dr. Raines was so pleased with the results, he added a second mill just a few months later. Dr. Raines discussed the benefits he has seen in his practice since introducing two mills, sharing his experiences with Chairside® magazine.
CHAIRSIDE MAGAZINE: What sparked your interest in digital dentistry?
DR. PAUL RAINES: Before using glidewell.io, I had some digital dentistry experience with an iTero Element® scanner (Align Technology, Inc.; San Jose, Calif.). This gave me a glimpse into the possibilities of what CAD/CAM technology can do. It was Dr. David Galler, the president of the American Academy of Clear Aligners, who introduced me to the glidewell.io system. I purchased my first mill in October 2022.
Like many doctors, I sent most cases to a local lab before I added the mill. Over time, I became less and less satisfied with their work. They didn’t have good customer support, and we spent a lot of time on remakes and provisionals. Rather than use another lab, I opted for glidewell.io because having control over the design to mark my own margins and control over the esthetics was attractive. I also felt I could have some fun with it.
CM: What prompted you to get a second mill?
PR: I have had patients tell me if they couldn’t get same-day treatment, they would rather wait to reschedule their appointment. I couldn’t believe it. With everything else people have going on in their lives nowadays, scheduling multiple appointments can seem daunting, so the demand for same-day treatment is especially high. That’s when I realized how integral this technology is to my practice and patients. The demand led me to add a second mill, which allowed us to take on more cases. I went from milling about 40 crowns per month to as many as 70 because we can have multiple restorations going simultaneously.
CM: What impact has glidewell.io had on your patients?
PR: Having this system is a great way for patients to distinguish our services from that of other practices. It really makes us stand out. By adding the glidewell.io system and delivering same-day restorations, we can offer patients treatment other dentists in the area cannot. Every appointment feels like a bespoke, white-glove service. The technology actively involves patients in their treatment plans, helping them feel like participants rather than just recipients of services.
I love how I can use visual tools to identify issues, propose solutions, and see outcomes together in real time. Even though patients may not grasp the technical details behind the scenes, they clearly understand and appreciate the results. This has led not only to a higher patient count, but higher treatment acceptance as well. Patients love that we’re a tech-forward practice.
CM: What cases do you typically handle with this technology?
PR: There are so many material options and possibilities with this system that you can learn to tackle a wide range of clinical situations. I do a lot of anterior and full-mouth cases. Patients who have had crowns done elsewhere tell me that their experience receiving same-day restorations with us is much quicker and easier than their prior experience. Being able to turn around their cases so effectively, and doing so using Glidewell’s high-quality materials, has been a significant practice-builder.
CM: How has the digital workflow of glidewell.io changed the work environment for your team?
PR: It’s been fantastic. Some of my team members were skeptical about same-day dentistry at first, but they quickly came around. Having the ability to be more involved, to work on crown designs, to add an artistic touch — it goes a long way in improving the quality of their output and increasing job satisfaction. Having this technology makes everyone’s job more fulfilling.
CM: How was the training on glidewell.io?
PR: Glidewell has provided exceptional support, going as far as flying my team out to California for a training course. That’s very important. Staff turnover is a big concern in this industry, and training someone takes a lot of time and effort. What’s great about glidewell.io is that there are ample training opportunities, and the system is easy to learn. From online courses to in-person sessions, there’s always a way to ensure that a new team member can be trained quickly and efficiently. Within a week I can have a team member fully ready to use this digital workflow if necessary.
CM: What return on investment have you seen from the glidewell.io system?
PR: The numbers speak for themselves. Even with three iTero® scanners, two fastmill.io units and all the milling blocks, my monthly payments are less than what my lab bill would be without these tools. But the biggest factor is time. With reduced chair time, we’re able to see more patients. This efficiency — completing crowns in one visit — has cut our operational costs by about 50% per case.
