Ep. 728 - Inside the Digital Workflow: Dr. Miles Cone on 3D Printing Success

How can 3D printing transform your dental practice from just another piece of equipment into a powerful revenue generator? The technology is advancing rapidly, yet many practitioners remain hesitant to embrace its potential.Dr. Miles R. Cone joins us to share his remarkable transformation from analog to digital dentistry. A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine who completed a three-year prosthodontic residency while serving as a field grade officer in the United States Army, Dr. Cone is one of only two prosthodontists in New England with additional qualifications as a Certified Dental Technician. He owns Nuance Dental Specialists and serves as Editor in Chief for The Messenger, the quarterly publication of the American College of Prosthodontists.This conversation reveals how integrating a 3D printer accelerated Dr. Cone's practice growth by 36% year-over-year, eliminated the inefficiencies of outsourced laboratory work, and opened new revenue streams he never anticipated. His journey from stone models to same-day delivery demonstrates that digital dentistry isn't just about efficiency—it's about expanding what's possible in patient care.Episode Highlights:Same-day bleaching tray fabrication transforms in-office whitening visits from $600 appointments into $1,200 comprehensive treatments, with custom take-home trays completed in 37 minutes while patients complete their in-office procedure. This integration creates recurring revenue streams as patients return for whitening maintenance every 3-6 months.Emergency dentistry capabilities expand dramatically when digital workflows enable treatment coordination while traveling, allowing scan-to-treatment protocols that compress traditional multi-week laboratory turnaround times into 24-hour solutions for visiting patients.Open-source printer systems provide material flexibility beyond manufacturer limitations, enabling practices to source resins from multiple suppliers including specialized provisional materials and reducing per-unit costs to approximately $2-3 per night guard versus $35-40 outsourced laboratory fees.Model fabrication efficiency eliminates alginate mess and postal delays while reducing costs from $40 per outsourced model plus rush fees to in-house production that supports multiple applications including night guards, bleaching trays, and provisional restorations.Strategic printer selection criteria should prioritize build quality, accuracy for prosthodontic applications, minimal maintenance requirements, and comprehensive customer support including on-site training programs that ensure successful implementation and ongoing technical assistance.Perfect for: General dentists considering digital workflow integration, prosthodontists exploring in-house fabrication options, practice owners evaluating ROI on 3D printing technology, and dental teams seeking to expand same-day service capabilities.Discover how 3D printing can revolutionize your practice efficiency and unlock new revenue opportunities you never knew existed.