3D study models

[Teofil]

Hello
I am sure most of you already heard of digital study models.
Last couple of weeks I have been looking in to subject and the software solutions i have found are very interesting so I started thinking of designing similar hardware-software solution and applying it here.
I stumbled across 2 or 3 lab sites offering services in digitalizing study models.All of them offer a free software for viewing, measuring and better ones even offer complete analysis.
The first one I found is solution called Ortho-Cast. I like it because it is simple, compact and has only basic functions like viewing models in 3D and simple point to point measuring. The software is free but the digitization of models has a price ranging from 25 to 35 dollars, depending of detail quality. You can find more details and free program here
Digital Study Models Ortho Cast
I think project like this is the most realistic in my circumstances because IT in health services here is not at it's peek so the best I could do is offer a solution for quick measuring, quick access and to save model storage room.
I am trying to decide whether it is smart to invest large amounts of time and effort (and cash) in establishing this kind of service.What are your thoughts on this? If you'd offer your doctors this service would they be interested?

The system that is most impressing to me is Cadent's OrthoCAD iQ.
This is far to complicated and expensive operation for me to even think about, however I admire the idea of such system that provides precision and saves chair time. It works like this.

1. You send your patient’s impressions and prescription to Cadent. At Cadent, the iQ system’s mathematical algorithm processes the patient’s prescription information, individual dental anatomy, and doctor-selected appliances to generate a 3D end-of-treatment outcome with the derived optimal bracket placement. Then the model is sent to you electronically.
2. With its specialized software tools, Cadent iQ gives you the ability (if you have the need) to fine-tune teeth positions and simulate treatment strategies to achieve the desired outcome. You view all this on screen before treatment begins.
3. Once you transmit your outcome approval to Cadent, the Cadent iQ delivery system is put in motion to create and send the finished product to your office for insertion into the patient’s mouth. Each bracket is in the ideal position to achieve the desired outcome.

There is a video demonstration here cadent
And the software Resources � OrthoCAD

[Teofil]

This is kind of off topic , sorry
I played around with home made 3D scanner, camera + laser + software

[Inman Labs]

I really want to go digital, as part of the SML Labs we should be able to soon.

Yesterday my study model person really let me down, she is refusing to fabricate anything difficult. For example we get models that need to be duplicated but if a tooth is chipped she wont build it up before duplicating, she also complains about most of the impressions.
In the lab business we all have easy cases and difficult cases, we hope they balance out.

Anyone out there want my Study Model work? I am serious....

Teofil: sorry I got off the subject a bit

Regards,
Don

[Teofil]

Can I have the job
Just joking...
I am sure it's better payed than mine
Don, do you have an rough assessment how much would cost ?
I understand that software is the most expensive item.

[labdude]

Hi Teofil & Don,
Here's a few things. SMs in the past, used to be photographed, and stored that way by the brave drs. One's that weren't worried to much about needing that "literal" model. Most would rent storage space.

Recently a few drs I work for are trying the SureSmile. suresmile.com
Seems to be a good way for them to go.

As for making those darn things (study models) they are always more work than I care for. I use a modified trimmer, at least 2 hp. I make a custom plate for the trimmer(glass, dark 1/4 inch thick at least) in this plate I carve the angle lines into the surface with a separateing disc, as well as the height lines. I then use a finished model to line up and heavily silicone the plate to the trimmer table. I also would use a electric motor bolted to a table, armature facing a person sitting in front of it. To this I attach a chuck with a rotary rasp for removal of the tongue space. All dangerous stuff. One guy got a good portion of his hair removed by the tongue space machine once.

Don, that employee needs to be taken out back and spanked. But then again, she is making the darn things. Reading what you say about the complaints of making a study model takes me back to the employee days!! YEOW!!! Good thing there are laws against certain things here.
Employees: I don't sweep floors. I don't clean imp. trays, hire a part timer for that. And on and on and on it goes. These impressions stink. All the way to the appliances. Why can't these girls or offices or drs. take a half way decent impression???!!!! That was a tough case...I should be paid extra for that one!! YYYYYEEEEAAAAHHH!!!!!

Now.....I'm up in the forest...a quivering mess.

Don, you to do a little less model work??? If your serious, contact rs promotions here. Look them up in the members list. They have asked me if I knew of any drs looking to have study models done. I will also let them know, you might have a few to direct their way. Nothing better for a bitchy employee to see than some of the work disapear.

When I quit doing models I was getting 20 something for them. Now they seem to be 30 something. Still not enough.
Mike.

[Inman Labs]

Mike:
Yes...please have them contact me.
I was also thinking I will contact Ortho-Cast, maybe get out of the model business altogether.

Teofil:
I will search for my emails and forward them to you regarding costs of going digital.

Here is a thought.....

Did any of us hesitate to switch to digital cameras when the technology made cost sense?

How come there is still so much demand for plaster models?

And get this...my model business is growing??????

Is this maybe the same as I still read the newspaper everyday although I have the Internet at home and work?

I really thought that Study Models would be totally dead by now, at least I was hoping.

Enjoy your weekend,
Don

[labdude]

Hi Don,
I just talked again to Ron & Rachel, they are very interested. They have your #, and now you have theirs on your voice mail at your lab.

The study model thing that won't die.

This is based on what I have heard over many years. It still plays out the same.

There is better protection for a doctor if he or she is challenged in court over the finishing or treatment of a case, if that doctor has good record models. Good record models being a model made of stone.
A photo record hasn't been thought of as being as strong evidence as a stone model.
Same goes for digital. Reasons are sort of obvious.
Photos and digital can be altered to easily.
But, so can a stone cast in the hands of a professional.
Thing is, if it comes to blows in court, a stone model will win where a photo will carry far less weight. Measuring a photo is sort of accurate, measurements of a digital is the same. A stone model in your hand, for a court case, speaks more strongly.
Again....this is only what I have heard in various ways over the years.

Lately, there seems to be larger acceptance of the photo or digital. Still, if a dr has a case he or she might feel differently about for many reasons, stone is the choice.
This feeling may never be gotten over completely. Good news if you just make study models.

My experience making study models is this, I worked for John Jensen for 11 years. His lab...California Orthodontic Model Laboratory. He started around 1964 or so. Great guy to work for. At the largest point of production the lab was producing 96 models per day, based on a 21 day month. We did 2016 models per month. His lab still exsists, worked by others, under the same name. Unless it has closed or changed names in the last 2 years. John has had enough also, he is retired, owns a home in La Crescenta, Ca. and a home in Denmark.

Who knows really, models will probably go on for another 20 years, till technology takes over.
Mike.

edit: I sold my first study model portion of my lab in 1985. Started again in 1990 so I could easily change over to nothing but mail order, and move to Cascades in Oregon. Linda my wife, also had one going in her name. After the move, I transfered my cases over to "Linda's Models". Then we gave it away to a young person in Oregon.
Been nothing but appliances since around 1996 when we gave the model portion away. We have been..."Precision Orthodonitc Study Models", "Somnium Retainers", "Linda's Models", and are now "Mckenzie Ortho."
Named for where we live, the Mckenzie river valley. Google earth Vida, Oregon. There we are.

[labdude]

So.... rs promotions must have gotten a pile of work from Inman lab by now.
You and Rachel pretty busy Ron???