After Dentsply Sirona release the CEREC Primescan in February 2019, it was only a matter of time before an accompanying milling unit came next. A little less than one year later, here we are…

Meet the Primemill: the next evolution of the MC XL Premium. An impressive feat of engineering- the Primemill is smarter, faster, and more precise than its predecessors.

SMARTER- The Primemill’s integrated block scanner will automatically scan your block to determine the type, size, color, and zirconia enlargement factor, which saves you the trouble of inputting this information yourself. In addition, the new Primemill burs are equipped with color-coded RFID chips, which feed information to the tool status display on the unit’s 7″ touchscreen interface. You’ll never unwittingly use a dull bur again.

FASTER- with the new Super Fast milling mode, you can mill zirconia restorations in half the time (approx. 5 minutes)! There is also an improved grinding mode for high quality glass ceramics to process those in record time as well.

MORE PRECISE- new electronics, software, motors, mechanical components, and a 0.5 mm milling tool allow the Primemill to achieve superior margins and surface details in Extra Fine milling mode.

With the Primemill, the CAD/CAM dentistry world is your oyster. Choose from a broad range of zirconia, glass, and hybrid ceramic options to mill or grind at blazing speeds. There has never been a more impressive or easy to use CAD/CAM system for the dental practice, but is this the right solution for you?

A Primescan, Primemill, SpeedFire oven (zirconia), and Programat oven (e.max/hybrid ceramics) will set you back well over $160,000. For the very busy same-day dentistry practice, you should be able to pay off the equipment and earn a return on your investment. Obviously, this would mean your practice has a long track-record of successful CAD/CAM implementation. But what about those new to same day dentistry? In my opinion, an investment of this magnitude would require a near certain expectation that things will go well. Unfortunately, in my business I meet a lot of people who find themselves in situations where things didn’t go as planned. These people become my clients.

There is another way to break into same-day CAD/CAM dentistry. Rather than expose your practice to potentially huge losses, I recommend you start off with a good used CEREC system. A used CEREC may not have all the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest, but it will function largely the same and yield nearly identical results at 25%-50% of the cost. Once you get your feet wet, optimize your CEREC workflow, and build your competency working with CEREC, then take the next step. By that time you should have paid back your modest initial investment, earned while you learned, and can take advantage of used Primescans and Primemills that will surely be available on the used market down the road.

For those that don’t need convincing to buy used and are looking to take advantage of the Primemill’s affect on the secondary market, stay tuned. As of yet, we have not seen an influx of mills hit the market like we saw with Omnicams last year during the Primescan release. Many factors will come into play such as Dentsply Sirona’s trade-in offer, the Primemill’s higher price point, and the number of CEREC owners who’ve made enough progress on their loans to make an upgrade financially feasible. Keep in mind that when the Primescan was released, the Omnicam had been on the market for 7 years. In contrast, CEREC’s MC X and MC XL dry mills have only been on the market for 4 years. So this time around I’m not expecting to see the same impact on the secondary market from the Primemill like we did with the Primescan a year ago. One thing is certain though, the future of CAD/CAM dentistry is primed for success.

“If I purchase a used Omnicam, will I be able to upgrade to the newest software?”

This has been a frequently asked question since the release of the Primescan AC and accompanying 5th generation software this past February. After months of speculation, we now have a solid answer:

• In Dentsply Sirona’s October 7th press release, they announced all CEREC 5.1 SW updates will be released in October 2019.
• Dentsply Sirona’s 5th Generation Software web page states that all 2018 Omnicam ACs and older will need a performance upgrade in order to run CEREC 5.1 and CEREC Connect 5.1 software. The extent and cost of the required Performance Upgrade will depend on your current PC Hardware version. Dentsply Sirona has built an Upgrade Advisor tool to help you check the hardware status of your Acquisition Center.
• The Performance Upgrade comes in one of two variations: a Performance Package upgrade, which includes a new SSD drive with Windows 10, additional working memory, and a Connect 5.1 software license; or a PC Upgrade, which is exactly as it sounds- a new PC with Windows 10 and a Connect 5.1 software license.
• If your PC Hardware version is 3.2.x to 4.4.1, then you only require the Performance Package. The cost for this package is $1,000 for CEREC Club members and $1,600 for non-members. Club members will also receive the CEREC 5.1 software license for free, while non-members will be charged $5,000 for the software.
• If your PC Hardware version is 2.2.1 to 2.2.7, then you will need the Upgrade PC. This upgrade costs $5,500 for CEREC Club members and $6,500 for non-members. As mentioned before, non-members will also have to pay for the CEREC 5.1 software license.

*Price Source: https://pattersonsupport.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/39423/kw/PC/related/1

Obviously, the big takeaways here are that Omnicams will continue to be manufacturer supported and receive software updates. Also, an Omnicam with 3.2.x hardware or better is worth a veritable $3,900 more than those with older specs.

To consider the broader view- after eight full months to monitor the effect of the Primescan release, it “feels different” than the Omnicam release did back in 2012. Back then, you got the sense that the Bluecam was dead in the water. Sure, the Primescan is sleeker, bigger, and faster, but is it necessarily an Omnicam killer? I don’t think so, especially when you consider the value proposition of a $70k Primescan vs a $20k Omnicam. Even if you have to invest a little bit more in an Omnicam to get the latest hardware and software available, you’re still sitting pretty at about 35% of the cost of a Primescan. Is the Prime really worth that much more? Or could one make do with an Omnicam for a few years and then make the jump to the Primescan when they become available in the secondary market? I’ll leave that for you to decide. No matter which way you go, you can’t go wrong with CEREC, as the brand continues to maintain its position as the industry leader in in-office CAD/CAM manufacturing now and for the foreseeable future.

See below for a copy of Dentsply Sirona’s press release:

CAD/CAM HERO has always been a company that is willing to go the extra mile for our customers. Now, with the addition of our Nissan NV 2500 cargo van we can do so both literally and figuratively.

In the past, CAD/CAM HERO had no choice but to pack our CERECs in large heavy wooden crates and rely on freight carrier partners to get them to our customers. Due to the size and weight of the crates, the freight companies could rarely deliver them inside. We understood that this was inconvenient to our customers, but it was really the only way to ensure our products made it into their hands safely. In an effort to improve our customer experience, we are trying to do away with as many “crate on the curb” deliveries as possible. Hence, we view this not as an investment in transportation, but rather an investment in customer service.

Our delivery radius will extend from coast to coast in the contiguous United States. Your CEREC will be delivered by a CAD/CAM HERO technician, who will place, set-up, install, calibrate, and test the system before leaving. If you are located outside of our stated service area or for good reason don’t want full-service delivery- don’t worry, freight shipping (including international service) is still an option. To our knowledge, we are the only used CEREC reseller offering this level of service.

Buying other dental equipment for your office? Whether you are buying on eBay, direct from other doctors, or even other resellers- we might be able to help with transporting that equipment too. Contact us at sales@cadcamhero.com with your delivery details and we’ll let you know if we can help.

I’ve purchased an Omnicam from CAD/CAM Hero in the past and all I can say is that they provide customer service like no other reseller out there.  They were timely and professional and answered every single question I asked.  I was so impressed I recently utilized their company to move some large dental equipment for me.  In less than 5 days I had all my equipment delivered without a dent or scratch on it.  I highly recommend CAD/CAM Hero for anything dental.

Dr. Jessica Kappel (El Paso, TX)

The long expected release of Dentsply Sirona’s next gen scanner is here. While Patterson and Schein are giddily taking pre-orders for these $69,000 machines immediately, it is not yet clear when these orders will be fulfilled. Early indications are that they are still many weeks away from mass distribution.

So what’s new?

The Primescan utilizes what they call a Smart Pixel Sensor- high-resolution sensors and shortwave light- that allow it to capture up to 1,000,000 3D data points per second at depths up to 20 mm. Dentsply Sirona claims this patented technology makes the Primescan the most accurate intraoral scanner on the market. Other new features include continuous self-heating for fog-free scanning, an increased field of view, 3 optional camera sleeves, instant data transfer, ergonomic touchscreen controls, fast and easy disinfection, and hours-long battery operation.

In addition to the Primescan, Dentsply Sirona has simultaneously released CEREC SW 5 to go along with it. This update brings with it a new GUI, intuitive touch functionality, and sharper screen resolution. It is not yet clear if CEREC 5 will be available or modified for use with Omnicam ACs.

What does the Primescan mean for the secondary CEREC market?

The Primescan effects were felt months ago. Many consumers believed, based on Sirona’s history of releasing a new scanner every seven years or so, that this announcement was imminent. Because of this, many buyers sat on the sidelines the second half of last year, resulting in a 21% market decline on package listings (scanner, mill, and oven). While significant, there still weren’t very many Omnicam scanners available by themselves, so the impact on the Omnicam scanner itself was nominal. Once the Primescan was officially released without a trade pathway however, we saw an immediate 28% decline specifically on Omnicam valuations. Without a current trade pathway, CEREC users upgrading to Primescan will be selling their Omnicams on the secondary market. The effects of which are already apparent as the number of standalone Omnicam listings has quadrupled, with an average asking price of $27,172.

If you are a current Omnicam user or seller, don’t worry, the worst of it has already passed. Once Dentsply Sirona is satisfied that they have taken full advantage of their user base who’s willing to pay any price to have it now (the shut up and take my money crowd), they will start offering discounts and trade pathways which will result in a more normalized rate of depreciation.

Admittedly, the Primescan release has not only hurt our clients, but some of our own investments as well. Looking through a rose colored glass, I can see the positive: this new scanner has been something of a “Chicken Little” scenario for the last couple years; now that the market has officially been reset, we can confidently navigate the evolving landscape of the used CEREC marketplace and can’t wait to offer used Primescans to our customers in a few years!

The future belongs to those who prepare for it.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The topic of implantology has become a recurring theme in my conversations with GPs looking to add CEREC capability to their practice. There is definitely a noticeable shift in the marketplace to expand into what is being called the “largest growth opportunity” of the next 10 years. Technological and procedural advancements have led to higher implant success rates and decreased treatment time; these factors along with changing demographics and increased insurance coverage have created the perfect storm for a boom in implantology. Many GPs are pursuing advanced education and technology now to prepare themselves for the implant opportunities of tomorrow. So the question becomes, how can CEREC help position your practice for implant success? Simply put, it equips you with the tools necessary to keep the procedure (and additional revenue) within your own practice. Here is an overview of the CEREC Integrated Implantology Workflow (source: http://www.integrated-implantology.com):

I hope this information has provided you with at least a general understanding of the CEREC integrated implantology workflow. For additional information, I recommend you visit advanced education sites like www.cerecdoctors.com or www.cadstar.org.

For information on which CEREC systems offered by CAD/CAM HERO, LLC will help meet your implant needs, please give us a call at (844) 385-4376 or visit www.cadcamhero.store. Thanks for visiting!

You must pay taxes. But there’s no law that says you gotta leave a tip.

-Morgan Stanley

What is the Section 179 Deduction?

It is part of a tax stimulus package geared towards small businesses that allow you to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software from your gross income as opposed to writing off a little at a time through depreciation. The maximum deduction limit in 2016 is $500,000.

What equipment qualifies for this deduction?

Most new and used “business equipment” purchased and put into use between January 1st and December 31st of the tax year you are claiming qualifies. This includes:

• Equipment purchased for business use
• Tangible personal property used in business
• Business vehicles over 6,000 lbs
• Computers
• Computer software
• Office furniture
• Office equipment
• Large manufacturing tools & equipment

Can I still deduct the full amount if I lease or finance the equipment?

Yes. This is actually a popular financial strategy among businesses because it allows you to deduct the full amount of the purchase without paying in full, which improves cash flow and increases profit margins.

Does used equipment qualify for bonus depreciation?

No. Bonus depreciation (50%) is taken after the $2,000,000 spending cap has been reached.

Where can I get more detailed information about this deduction?

www.section179.org

Call (844) 385-4376 for help with a used CEREC purchase and take full advantage of the 2016 Section 179 tax deduction!

Although I do not have any affiliation whatsoever with Patterson, this is a question I naturally get asked all the time. After Patterson’s most recent changes to the CEREC Service Club Agreement in January 2015, its latest iteration most resembles an extended warranty typically offered at the register with almost every modern-day technology purchase. Service Club membership comes at a premium of $299/month plus tax.  I’ve organized the CEREC Service Club benefits in order of importance:

1. Software upgrades are included with club membership at no additional charge. There is usually one major update a year.
2. Parts & labor warranty for up to 7 years from the original installation date.
3. 50% discount on replacement cameras, prismatic tubes and mirror sleeves after the warranty period ends.
4. Discount on PC Hardware upgrades.
5. Annual preventive maintenance (parts & labor) during warranty period. They bill for labor after the warranty period ends.
6. Unlimited phone support.

Service Club membership for CEREC AC Connect systems cost $199/month plus tax and come with the same benefits outlined above minus the annual preventive maintenance.

CEREC 3 systems are no longer eligible for Service Club membership. Any CEREC systems that are not currently on the Service Club may be subject to a $1,995 initiation fee or backbilling, however this fee is normally waived for Dr. to Dr. transfers.

Source: Patterson Dental