There is one major question we should all have on our minds as the debate between choosing an open or closed CAD/CAM system continues.
Which of the two systems will prevail into the future?
Sure, one may better fit your needs today, but will it continue to properly suit you into the future?
No matter which system you prefer or currently use, keeping up with the technology is important. Using outdated equipment and programs is something we should all try to avoid as modern technology continues to play a growing role in our everyday lives.
That being said, the system that will prevail into the future is the open system. There are several reasons as to why you should choose an open system rather than a closed system, but in terms of future prospects, the open system looks to be more secure.
Here are reasons we believe the open CAD/CAM system will be the future for dental technology.
- Technological advancements
The first and most important reason is that technology will continue to improve by leaps and bounds. The equipment that uses CAD/CAM systems (e.g. intraoral scanners) has steadily been improving the speed, accuracy, and ease of use. As the technology further develops and people continue to overcome previous limitations and fix bugs, the use of the equipment will become more widespread. Open systems have the benefit of being able to quickly adopt any future development as it can work with anyone rather than one specific brand or company.
- Outsourcing
Another reality of improved technology is outsourcing. It becomes more common and easier to do. Generally, outsourcing has had a negative connotation but outsourcing can also be viewed as a form of collaboration. Open systems make outsourcing an available option thus gaining the benefits of collaboration. Labs and practices can send their work to others for cheaper and more flexible options.
- Collaboration
Collaboration is the key to success in the future. With improved means, collaboration has become more effective and readily available than ever before. Collaboration design with CAD is moving to the network rather than simply on desktops. The entire process is becoming more productive and open systems will better fit the mold in the future.
- Expected standards
Patients expect high standards. Other labs and practices expect high standards as well. The reality of the present century is people need to invest in technology to meet the demands of today. As open systems are better able to adapt to the current technology, the future of the open model looks bright.
- Regulatory standards
With time, regulatory standards also begin to change. As technological advancements improve the digital dental equipment, standards will change and being flexible will be necessary in the dental workplace. An open system prides itself on its flexibility, which will help its dominance in the future.
The main reasons for why the open CAD/CAM system will prevail over closed systems in the future are technological advancements and the open system’s flexibility. These two reasons will be what lead most people to use open systems and thus eventually shutting out the closed system.
Did you like this article? Click here and find more interesting posts related to digital dentistry in Medit dental blog. Also, if you are thinking of buying an Intraoral Scanner, Medit will launch very soon its Medit i500. Click here if you want to know more about this product.
