Digital Dentistry Decoded

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny and Dr. Luken de Arbeloa debate quadrant vs. interdisciplinary digital dentistry - who's right, and when does each approach actually win?

Ahmad runs a 41-chair family practice in New Zealand where same-day CEREC crowns are a daily workflow. Luken comes from the DSD world, where full-mouth interdisciplinary planning is the foundation. In this episode, they go head-to-head on the two dominant approaches to digital dentistry, comparing workflows, ROI, patient communication, and what it really takes to implement each in a real practice.

The conversation covers a lot of ground, including how AI is changing single-visit crown design, why the lab bill can drop by 80% when you bring manufacturing in-house, the communication skills dentists don't learn in dental school but can't succeed without, and the mindset shift that separates dentists who go fully digital from those who never get past the scanner.

If you're trying to figure out which direction to take your digital practice, this debate is one of the most honest and practical conversations you'll find on the topic.

🎙️ This episode was originally recorded for Dr. Luken de Arbeloa's Quarterback Dentist podcast (DSD) and is reposted here with permission as part of the Digital Dentistry Decoded podcast series.

00:00 - Preview clip

00:26 - Introduction and episode overview

01:50 - Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny background - 41-chair family practice

03:29 - What digital dentistry actually looks like in daily practice

09:06 - Patient workflow - which records to take and when

13:00 - Treatment decisions in a group practice setting

14:47 - Why speed matters in same-day dentistry (and when it doesn't)

18:00 - The interdisciplinary approach explained

21:36 - How dentists evolve from quadrant to full-mouth planning

24:10 - Patient communication and why case acceptance fails

27:18 - Pre and post-case acceptance - Luken's framework

32:11 - Communication as the most critical skill in dentistry

38:13 - The biggest innovation in same-day dentistry right now

39:33 - AI in CAD/CAM - how good is it, really?

41:08 - The two main challenges to implementing one-day dentistry

44:33 - 3D printing vs milling machines in 2025

46:06 - Practical advice for dentists who want to start this week

51:00 - Digital dentistry is a team sport - closing thoughts

🔗 PODCAST PAGE Listen to more episodes of Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD 👉 https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/digital-dentistry-decoded-podcast/

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📍Institute of Digital Dentistry At the forefront of digital dentistry education - your digital dentistry journey starts here! https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/

📚 Join iDD's Free Academy and get instant access to over 40+ Free digital dentistry courses and eBook PDFs! https://idd.to/freeacademy

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🎙️Listen to our 'Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD' podcast on your favorite streaming platform now! https://idd.to/podcast

#DentalTechnology #3DPrinting #DigitalDentistry #IntraoralScanner #DentalLab

3D printing is transforming dentistry, but which printer should you actually buy? In this episode of Digital Dentistry Decoded, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny sits down with Dr. Luken de Arbeloa from The Quarterback Dentist podcast to break down everything you need to know about dental 3D printers, from choosing the right machine and resins to avoiding the most common post-processing mistakes.

With 10 printers in his own practice and years of hands-on testing, Dr. Ahmad shares his honest picks for the best printers, best-in-class resins for every indication, and the critical post-processing steps most clinicians are getting wrong. Whether you're buying your first printer or looking to expand your digital workflow, this conversation covers the real-world details that sales reps won't tell you.

🎙️ This episode was originally recorded for Dr. Luken de Arbeloa's Quarterback Dentist podcast (DSD) and is reposted here with permission as part of the Digital Dentistry Decoded podcast series.

00:00 - Introduction and Dr. Ahmad's 3D Printing Background

01:31 - How Many 3D Printers Does Ahmad Have?

02:33 - Three Questions to Ask Before Buying a 3D Printer

05:00 - Why Training and Support Matter More Than You Think

06:19 - Understanding What You Want to Print First

08:21 - Why Education Is the Key to Making the Right Decision

09:34 - Getting Started with 3D Printing (The Form2 Story)

11:37 - What Can a Dental 3D Printer Actually Do?

13:25 - 3D Printing Is Simpler Than You Think

15:15 - Price Range for Clinical Dental 3D Printers

16:33 - Lab Printers vs Chairside Printers (Key Differences)

18:25 - SprintRay Midas and Chairside Printing

19:30 - Why Formlabs Support Won Luken Over

21:06 - Biocompatibility and FDA Approval (Why It Matters)

23:05 - Which Printer Goes in the Clinic vs the Lab?

25:18 - You Can Own More Than One Printer

25:43 - The Open Materials Revolution (Best Resins Discussion)

26:33 - Does Speed Really Matter in Dental 3D Printing?

28:46 - Same-Day Dentistry and Print Speed

31:29 - Build Platform Size (Labs vs Clinics)

32:35 - Why Resins Matter More Than the Printer

33:13 - Formlabs Goes Open System (Why This Is Huge)

35:08 - Pac-Dent Titan, OnX & Lucitone Resins

37:24 - Best Resins for Full-Arch Temporaries

38:29 - Best Splint Resin (KeySplint Soft Explained)

40:06 - Best Crown Resins and the Midas HT

42:08 - Printing Indexes and Guides with Splint Resin

43:20 - Post-Processing (The Step Most Clinicians Get Wrong)

46:33 - Curing Mistakes and Why One Setting Doesn't Fit All

47:36 - Washing Mistakes and Contamination Risks

51:13 - How to Properly Dispose of Isopropyl Alcohol

53:33 - The Future of Dental 3D Printing

55:21 - Printed Crowns (The Three Big Challenges)

56:58 - Multi-Layer Printed Materials (The Next Frontier)

57:40 - 3D Printed Aligners and What's Coming

58:28 - Ahmad's Top 3 Printers and Top 3 Resin Brands

01:00:19 - Price Range Summary and Final Advice

🔗 PODCAST PAGE Listen to more episodes of Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD 👉 https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/digital-dentistry-decoded-podcast/

📲 Let's be social! Follow iDD on the following platforms: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/instituteofdigitaldentistry Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/idigitaldentistry/ LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/instituteofdigitaldentistry TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@idigitaldentistry X - https://x.com/iDigitalDentist

📍Institute of Digital Dentistry At the forefront of digital dentistry education - your digital dentistry journey starts here! https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/

📚 Join iDD's Free Academy and get instant access to over 40+ Free digital dentistry courses and eBook PDFs! https://idd.to/freeacademy

💻 Check out our online course bundles: https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/bundles/

🎙️Listen to our 'Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD' podcast on your favorite streaming platform now! https://idd.to/podcast

#DentalTechnology #3DPrinting #DigitalDentistry #IntraoralScanner #DentalLab

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny has tested over 30 intraoral scanners, and in this episode he reveals what the industry won't tell you about investing in digital dentistry.

Ahmad joins Dr. Luken de Arbeloa on the DSD Quarterback Dentist podcast to cut through the marketing noise and give dentists the honest breakdown they actually need. From a $25,000 3D printer that ended up collecting dust to the real reason only 10% of dentists ever go beyond scan-and-send, this conversation covers the digital dentistry investment decisions that matter most.

Ahmad shares his top five intraoral scanners currently in clinical use (including CEREC Primescan, Shining 3D Elite, TRIOS 5, Medit i900, and Alliedstar), explains why education should always come before any equipment purchase, and discusses the CAD software barrier that still holds most clinicians back.

Whether you're just starting out with digital dentistry or trying to figure out what comes after the scanner, this episode is for you.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 - Teaser and Opening

00:29 - Welcome and Guest Introduction

02:17 - How Pain Led to Creating iDD

03:17 - Ahmad's Origin Story in Digital Dentistry

04:36 - The 3M True Vision Moment That Started It All

05:53 - Misinformation Still Plagues the Industry

06:56 - Education as Your First Investment

08:43 - Real Stories of Costly Equipment Mistakes

09:28 - From E4D to CEREC, Why Ahmad Owns So Many Scanners

10:44 - The $25,000 EnvisionTEC Printer Mistake

12:16 - Getting Objective Advice from Trusted Sources

13:15 - 30+ Scanners Tested and Reviewed

14:05 - Ahmad's Top 5 Intraoral Scanners for Clinical Use

15:48 - Alliedstar, Best Value Scanner on the Market

17:16 - iTero's Role in Interdisciplinary Dentistry

18:14 - The Course That Changed Ahmad's Career

19:17 - Digital Dentistry Is an Evolution, Not a Revolution

20:19 - From 20 Minutes to 30 Seconds, Scanning Mastery

21:44 - Why Digital Dentistry Shouldn't Be a Separate Specialty

23:35 - First Course Recommendation for Beginners

25:02 - Soft Tissue Management and Scanning Technique

26:24 - Different Pathways, Smile Design vs CAD/CAM vs Aligners

27:08 - Make Your Impression Material Expire

27:55 - Building Your Digital Roadmap

30:22 - Why Only 10% of Dentists Go Beyond Scan-and-Send

32:00 - The Smartphone as Your Most Powerful Digital Tool

33:24 - Diagnose Your Practice Before Buying Equipment

34:35 - The Intraoral Scanner Is Your Gateway to Digital

35:28 - 3D Printing, 70-80% of Dentistry Can Be Printed

36:33 - CBCT, Facial Scanners, and Beyond

37:02 - Ahmad's Final Thoughts on Digital Investment

38:20 - In-House Manufacturing vs Lab Partnerships

39:30 - 3D Printing vs Milling, Choosing the Right Output Device

39:54 - The CAD Software Barrier Nobody Talks About

41:43 - Why Digital Dentistry Has Never Been This Exciting

42:43 - Reducing Stress Through Digital Workflows

43:14 - Closing Thoughts and What's Next

Read the full blog post:

https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/podcast/s04-e05-i-have-used-every-scanner-on-the-market-heres-what-nobody-tells-you/

🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

iDD Scanner Reviews: https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/category/intraoral-scanner-reviews/

DSD Quarterback Dentist Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalSmileDesignOfficial

📲 Let's be social! Follow iDD on the following platforms:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/instituteofdigitaldentistry

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/idigitaldentistry/

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/instituteofdigitaldentistry

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@idigitaldentistry

Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/iDigitalDentist

📍Institute of Digital DentistryAt the forefront of digital dentistry education - your digital dentistry journey starts here!https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/

📚 Join iDD's Free Academy and get instant access to over 40+ Free digital dentistry courses and eBook PDFs!https://idd.to/freeacademy

💻 Check out our online course bundles:https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/bundles/

Is iPad scanning about to reshape the intraoral scanner market? In this episode of Digital Dentistry Decoded, Dr. Ahmad sits down with Medit's Matt Mock to find out.

Matt Mock, Senior Director of Education Marketing at Medit, joins Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny for an in-depth conversation about where digital dentistry is headed. They discuss Medit's remarkable transformation over the past year, their shift from hardware-focused company to software solutions provider, and what the i900 Mobility's iPad-based approach signals for the broader industry.

The discussion covers a lot of ground, from the surprising utilization gap between 3D printers and mills in dental practices, to the new Ortho Suite with AI-powered treatment planning that had orthodontists buzzing at AAO. Matt shares candid insights on why scanner accuracy has become largely commoditized, the technical realities of Wi-Fi scanning, and the design philosophy behind Medit Link Express's streamlined interface.

Dr. Ahmad and Matt also dig into what's coming from Medit in 2026, including new diagnostic features, software innovations, and some hints at future hardware developments. Plus, they tackle the most common questions dentists have been asking about iPad scanning.

Whether you're a Medit user curious about what's next or simply interested in where intraoral scanning technology is headed, this conversation delivers practical insights straight from the source.

Read the full blog post: https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/podcast/s04-e04-is-ipad-scanning-the-next-major-market-trend-with-medits-matt-mock/

00:00 Introduction and Medit's Year in Review 

02:35 The Digital Dentistry Ecosystem Beyond Scanning 

04:56 3D Printers vs Mills: The Utilization Gap 

08:17 3D Printed Crowns and the Materials Question 

12:40 Training Your Team for Digital Workflows 

15:12 Medit Ortho Suite: AI-Powered Treatment Planning 

21:22 Lat. Ceph Tracing and 3D Treatment Objectives 

27:12 Has Scanner Hardware Reached Its Ceiling? 

30:39 New Imaging Technologies: OCT and Beyond 

31:50 Medit i900 Mobility: iPad Scanning First Impressions 

39:34 Wi-Fi Setup and Router Requirements Explained 

45:22 Apple Chips vs Windows Laptops for Scanning 

47:27 Medit Link Express: Simplified Software Design Philosophy 

52:22 i900 Mobility FAQs with Matt Mock 

54:04 Future iPad Features and Apps Coming to Mobility 

56:52 What's Coming from Medit in 2026 

1:00:36 Closing Thoughts

Subscribe for weekly digital dentistry insights, honest scanner reviews, and the latest industry news.

📲 Let's be social! Follow iDD on the following platforms: 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/instituteofdigitaldentistry 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/idigitaldentistry/ 

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/instituteofdigitaldentistry 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@idigitaldentistry 

Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/iDigitalDentist

📍Institute of Digital Dentistry At the forefront of digital dentistry education - your digital dentistry journey starts here! https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/

📚 Join iDD's Free Academy and get instant access to over 40+ Free digital dentistry courses and eBook PDFs! https://idd.to/freeacademy

💻 Check out our online course bundles: https://instituteofdigitaldentistry.com/bundles/

🎙️Listen to our 'Digital Dentistry Decoded with iDD' podcast on your favorite streaming platform now! https://idd.to/podcast

#MeditI900Mobility #iPadScanning #IntraoralScanner #DigitalDentistry #MeditScanner #DentalTechnology #DigitalDentistryDecoded #iDD

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny interviews Rune Fisker, former VP of Product Strategy at 3Shape and current Executive Advisor, about the top digital dentistry trends for 2026. The discussion covers five key areas: AI agents entering clinical workflows, generative AI in daily practice, intraoral scanning reaching the standard of care status, the rapid rise of 3D printing technology, and the challenges of connecting dental ecosystems. Fisker shares insights on adoption barriers, material limitations, and integration challenges while reflecting on 2025's developments and predictions for the year ahead.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny interviews Jay Kim, VP of Business Development at TruAbutment, discussing the company's 2025-2026 product roadmap and industry trends. Kim reveals TruAbutment's iPad-based T-Marker photogrammetry system, full workflow integration plans, and entrance into 3D printing materials. The conversation covers market conditions, scanner commoditization, the photogrammetry versus horizontal scanbodies debate, and AI integration in dental technology. Kim provides detailed explanations of upcoming products, including Dual Align Scanbodies, bite capture devices, and flexible printing materials, while discussing strategic positioning for practices at different full-arch case volumes.

In this episode, Ahmad speaks with Julio Rojas, Director of Product Development at Osteon Medical, about the development of the NEXUS iOS system—the first horizontal scan body solution for full-arch digital workflows. The discussion covers Osteon's origins as a university startup and specialized milling center, the technical challenges of achieving passive-fit restorations from intraoral scan data, and the market resistance faced when introducing the technology in 2020. Julio explains the accuracy requirements for digital full-arch cases, manufacturing considerations, and the recently launched Nexus Connect platform that opens the system to independent labs.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny interviews Dentsply Sirona's new CEO, Daniel Scavilla, and Max Milz at DS World 2025 in Las Vegas, marking CEREC's 40th anniversary. Scavilla discusses his transition from spine robotics to dental, drawing parallels between medical and dental digital adoption. The conversation covers major announcements, including CEREC on DS Core, new milling options (Primemill 2-motor and CEREC Go), 3D diagnostics capabilities, and AI integration. The discussion explores barriers to chairside dentistry adoption, the future of cloud-based platforms, and the coexistence of milling and printing technologies in modern dental practices.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny interviews Jorge Hernandez (National Sales Manager) and Jerico Elomari (Senior Application Engineer) from Shining 3D about their latest product developments and clinical applications. The discussion covers the Aoralscan Elite's intraoral photogrammetry technology, addressing specific clinical challenges, including blood interference with scanning and proper cleaning protocols for coded scan bodies. The guests detail new releases, including the Elite Wireless, AccuFab F1 DLP printer, MetiSmile MR with jaw tracking capabilities, and a nitrogen curing unit. The conversation explores practical implementation considerations, the importance of team training, current 3D printing applications in clinical practice, and future developments in digital dentistry workflows. Technical specifications, pricing, and troubleshooting methods are discussed throughout.

In this episode, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny interviews Amir Mansouri, CEO and co-founder of SprintRay, about the company's recent acquisition of EnvisionTEC's assets following its bankruptcy under Desktop Health.

The discussion covers the strategic rationale behind the acquisition, immediate plans for supporting stranded EnvisionTEC customers, and SprintRay's entry into the dental laboratory market. Mansouri explains how the asset purchase includes patents, IP, and customer lists while avoiding liabilities.

The conversation explores the differences between chairside and laboratory markets, cross-platform resin compatibility plans, and the future of both brands within the dental 3D printing industry.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:45 - The EnvisionTEC Story

00:04:16 - Acquisition Details

00:07:40 - Customer Support Plans

00:09:23 - Cross-Platform Compatibility

00:13:13 - Lab Market Strategy

00:17:53 - Brand Future

00:21:08 - Industry Consolidation

00:24:48 - What's Next

00:28:53 - Closing