Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

CEREC World By: Douglas W. Voiers, DDS, FWCM & Mark R. Morin DDS, FWCM

More by Mark R. Morin, DDS, FWCM (3)More by Douglas W. Voiers, DDS, FWCM (3)
I am a 37-year-old Australian dentist in Regional New South Wales on the beautiful South Coast. I have only recently been considering CEREC as price has been the obvious initial brick wall barrier. But, having followed the threads here and done some serious number crunching, I now firmly believe doing it may be the way to go for most of the obvious reasons already discussed. I have a networked practice management system incorporated with DenOptix.

What were you implying about how the machine is integrated into the practice?

What are the key points to consider in discussions with the local company (HALAS) rep?

What percentage (approx) of practice restorations would be CEREC produced?
 craign, Official Townie

 I am very interested in the CEREC process, but my reservations mimic those who have mentioned the insurance woes involved. Technology is great but who's going to pay for it?
 berrygood, Official Townie

 The question of "who's going to pay for CEREC" leads one to follow a false trail. The real question should be, how can you build true value for your services so that the insurance tail does not wag the dog. If your clinical dentistry is dictated by whether or not insurance pays for something, your practice is in trouble, you just don't know it yet.

Nineteen-ninety-eight was the first year in the history of dentistry that "wants-based" dentistry surpassed "needs-based" (or insurance-based) dentistry. The insurance industry has been putting the squeeze on us for years. Value-based practices provide services (like CEREC) for their patients that lie outside the realm of insurance whims.

Patients WANT CEREC like they want veneers, whitening, plastic surgery and Lasik, Disney trips, new cars and nice homes. None of these are covered by insurance, yet more money is spent on pet food in America than on dentistry.

Savvy dentists who truly understand that they are involved in a consumer driven business will thrive and prosper using CEREC, regardless of insurance conditions. The good news is that in our office, and in hundreds of others like mine, CEREC is covered as well as any ceramic crown and bridge procedure. But, that still misses the point. Shed the brain-washing and get out of the insurance trap!

As far as affording the CEREC, again you need to change your paradigm. CEREC has the best ROI of ANY dental instrument. You couldn't make a dime in dentistry without first investing in your chairs, dental lights, x-rays, vac, compressor, etc. Are those things an overhead expense or simply a cost of doing business?

In my office, the return is tremendous. My CEREC costs me $1,900/month and I produce about $20,000 worth of CEREC dentistry per month. My lab bills are half of what they used to be.

See your local rep and he will do a worksheet for you and you will be surprised. Use the tool correctly and it will change your practice for the better and your bottom line.
 doug_voiers, Moderator

 I have found that if the Z factor of the restoration margin is about the same as that of the gingiva I have an especially difficult time with the OI. Expa-syl is a blessing because it quickly and gently pushes the gingiva out of the way for the OI. Oddly enough the more subgingival margins frequently allow the tissue to "flop" a bit with a strong air stream and show the margin (best with scan spray)-just one opinion.
super2th, Official Townie

Sounds like a nice technique. I like to simply place a thick impression cord soaked in a hemostatic solution. Takes me all of about 10 seconds and I've got margin control for my optical impression. I also like the spray cans and powder that ProCAD supplies us. The PowderMeister seems to be a bit too technique sensitive using the foot control.
doug_voiers, Moderator
Douglas Voiers is a reconstructive and aesthetic dentist who has won top honors in the annual Dental Economics' Practice of the Year Awards. He maintains a full time practice in Avon Lake, OH and is currently a clinical instructor for restorative dentistry where he teaches CEREC and advanced technology dentistry. Douglas can be reached at 440-933-3270 or by email at: dwvdds@earthlink.net.

Mark Morin, DDS, FWCM, graduated from the University of Detroit in 1985 and immediately started his new practice in Southfield, MI. He became one of the first dentists in North America to begin using CEREC I technology. He currently places 10-15 CEREC restorations daily and continues to study CEREC technology extensively in Germany and Switzerland with inventor, Dr. Werner Mormann. Mark can be reached by email at: drmorin@earthlink.net or by calling 248-828-9989. Visit his website at www.drmorin.com.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
Dentaltown Magazine September 2025 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Who or what do you turn to for most financial advice regarding your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds Dental News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2025 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450