Variety is the spice of life – David Hands CosTech
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 13th February 2019
In most dental practices it’s likely that patient lists will feature a diverse array of individuals from all walks of life. Not only will these people all have their own specific beliefs, ideas, personalities and quirks, but they will also have differing means and motivations behind their choices of dental treatment.
Offering a wide array of treatments is an excellent way to draw in more business. By expanding the available treatment choices you can treat more diverse case types – but what about exploring different products for people who require the same procedures?
Providing patients with a wide array of products such as multiple types of crowns and bridges can help to expand your patient list, especially as modern patients have many ideas that determine which treatments they want, and ultimately, are satisfied with.
An aesthetic choice
Facial aesthetics have long played an important role in society. Studies have revealed that not only are more attractive people presumed to be more successful[i]and intelligent[ii]but they are also thought to be happier and have better self-esteem.[iii]Teeth significantly impact perceived levels of attractiveness,[iv]and therefore it makes sense that more and more people are looking towards aesthetic options when it comes to restorative dentistry.
However, it is important for professionals to realise that all of their patients will have different perceptions about what optimum aesthetics entail. For example, say you have a case that requires a crown on a posterior tooth – as this location is not easily visible when the patient smiles, they may prefer a crown made from a stronger, less aesthetic material. Of course, the patient may prioritise aesthetics in the anterior zone, so offering a wide variety of options is likely to help you fulfil patient expectations.
In a similar regard there has also been a move away from metal in dentistry in recent times and this is affecting patient attitudes. As metallic restorations usually compromise aesthetics to a certain extent, even ceramic and metal hybrid solutions such as porcelain fused to metal crowns may not be an option for patients seeking optimal looks and therefore it’s wise to consider metal free options such as zirconia or other ceramic alternatives.
Personal restrictions
While establishing your patients’ expectations in terms of aesthetic outcome, it’s also imperative to offer options for those with different financial means. After all, although a state-of-the-art zirconia bridge is likely to perform the best and offer the most natural finish, this may be beyond someone’s spending power. It’s therefore sensible to provide suitable, more affordable products that can offer similar results.
An example of this may be to offer resin crowns alongside more expensive ceramic and porcelain solutions. Though resin may not have the structural strength of these other materials, it can still provide a functional, aesthetic finish.
Finances aren’t the only restrictor to certain treatment types. Patients may have metal allergies or characteristics such as thin gingival biotypes or damaged gum tissue due to previous periodontitis, and these factors can influence viability of different treatment options. Offering a wide variety of choice will mean that you don’t alienate patients by not being able to give them treatment they desire due to a lack of viable options.
Choosing the right laboratory
Of course, the key to achieving a versatile range of restorations is to choose a laboratory that has a comprehensive portfolio of services. On top of this, it’s a good idea to see how fast and efficient delivery times are, as this could impact your patient’s treatment choice as well.
Say that a patient required a steel crown to be replaced with a more aesthetic ceramic alternative before heading away on holiday. This sets a timescale that would need to be adhered to in order to provide the best patient service, meaning laboratories with fast delivery times become an invaluable asset.
CosTech Dental Laboratory is a particularly good option due to the sheer diversity of products it can offer practices. Not only does the lab supply numerous metallic and ceramic crown and bridge options, but it also ensures that these products can be fabricated quickly using their express turnaround service and delivered efficiently via their personal delivery service or tracked post.
Options are important
Having a diverse assortment of restorations and product types at your fingertips will always allow you to offer more tailored care. Finding a laboratory that can not only supply this variety but also deliver it swiftly is key to helping patients receive the treatment they both desire and deserve.
For more information about CosTech Dental Laboratory, please visit www.costech.co.ukor call 01474 320076
REFERENCES
[i]Psychology Today. The Truth About Why beautiful People Are More Successful. Link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/games-primates-play/201203/the-truth-about-why-beautiful-people-are-more-successful[Last accessed October 18].
[ii]Kanazawa, S. intelligence and Physical Attractiveness. Intelligence. 2011; 39(1): 7-14.
[iii]Mathes, E., Kahn, A. Physical Attractiveness, Happiness, Neuroticism and Self-Esteem. J Psychol. 1975; 90: 27-30.
[iv]Tin-Oo, M., Saddki, N., Hassan, N. Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction with Dental Appearance and Treatments they Desire to Improve Aesthetics.
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