Increase Case Acceptance with Dental Technology

How technology solutions like CBCT, CAD/CAM and Solea can boost case acceptance

Case acceptance plays a critical role in effectively supporting the oral health of your patients and the financial health of your practice. Yet too often dentists overestimate their case acceptance rate, leaving room for improvement.

So, how can you strengthen case acceptance at your practice? One way is by investing in advanced technology that enables you to make a stronger case for treatment and to provide faster, more comfortable care that patients will be more willing to accept.

Show (don’t just tell) patients why they need dental treatments

One way to positively affect case acceptance is through better communication. For some dentists, it’s challenging to feel like the onus of communicating a dental problem and explaining why treatment is important is completely on them.

That job is made much easier with technology like CBCT and intraoral scanners. These solutions give new meaning to the phrase “Seeing is believing.” They produce 3D images that are displayed in impressive detail and clarity, helping patients easily see an issue with their own eyes. This also can help create a sense of urgency that an issue needs to be addressed, even when patients aren’t showing symptoms yet.

“Having technology, hands down, helps with case acceptance because it’s more tangible for patients. They can see it’s legit,” said Dr. Leah Brady, who owns Ideal Image Dentistry & Spa in Mandan, North Dakota.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Dr. Richard Dunning explains how CBCT supports case acceptance at his practice

Provide dental care more quickly and comfortably

The right technology also supports case acceptance by helping to reduce perceived barriers to care. For example, technology can break down the barrier of fear and anxiety around the pain, needles and noise that can come with procedures. Some solutions also break down a time barrier for busy patients who may have a tough time fitting in one or more appointments for a procedure.

One technology that supports speed and ease of care is the Solea All-Tissue Laser, which enables the delivery of soft- and hard-tissue treatments with less anesthesia, blood, pain and noise. Imagine how the experience of delivering a routine cavity filling would be faster and better for the patient if they didn’t have to deal with anxiety around needles and drills, they didn’t have to wait for anesthesia to take effect, and they could get multiquadrant procedures done in just one visit.

CAD/CAM is another technology that enables single-visit dentistry for procedures such as crowns and restorations. It allows you to capture high-resolution images with digital impressions, design a restoration with software, and then produce it in-house with a mill or 3D printer. That means procedures that may have required repeat visits can happen faster and sometimes even in one appointment.

Dr. Kristen Andrews, who owns a practice in Devils Lake, North Dakota, said many of her patients drive up to a couple of hours for appointments. “Patients are in awe when I tell them I’m going to give them a crown today. It’s ‘What? I don’t have to come back or wear something that doesn’t fit for two weeks?’ So, it’s really made a huge impact.”

“Having technology, hands down, helps with case acceptance because it’s more tangible for patients. They can see it’s legit.”

Dr. Leah Brady, owner of Ideal Image Dentistry & Spa in Mandan, North Dakota.

An added benefit: Boost your bottom line

In addition to increasing case acceptance and production, technology like CBCT, CAD/CAM and the Solea All-Tissue Laser also can support you in adding higher value services, such as sleep apnea treatments, in-house crown production and more. All of this results in an incredible opportunity to boost your financial performance.

Ready to boost your case acceptance?

If you’re ready to explore technology that supports greater case acceptance, Patterson is here to help. With expert guidance and unmatched service, we’ll support your success like it’s our own.

View our case acceptance page to learn more about technology that improves case acceptance.
 

Learn more