Part 3: Why I Decided to Go Digital

~Investment, Challenge, and Laying Groundwork for the Future~

Faced with the reality of declining numbers and an aging workforce among dental technicians, I finally decided to embrace the challenge of digitalization.

That said, digitalization isn’t as simple as “just buying machines solves everything.” Rather, it required significant investment and a path of trial and error.

■ What Was Needed for Digitalization

The equipment I’ve introduced over these past six years is as follows.

• Intraoral Scanners: 3 units
• Face Scanner
• Ceramic Processing Machine
• Ceramic Firing Machine
• Laboratory Microscope
• High-Performance 3D Printers: 4 units

Just acquiring these cost tens of millions of yen. Furthermore, to master their use, attending seminars domestically and internationally, visiting labs nationwide, and overseas study tours to Germany, Brazil, and Portugal were indispensable.

As a result, the total investment exceeded 100 million yen.

■ The Significance and Outcomes of Digitization

So why did I commit so fully to digitization?

The reasons are simple:

• To address the decline in dental technicians
• To complement master craftsmanship and pass it on to the next generation
• To provide patients with consistently high-quality care

And indeed, adopting digital technology has significantly broadened the scope of treatment.

• Pre-treatment simulations for cavities and implant procedures
• Designing temporary crowns and mock-ups for ceramic restorations
• Manufacturing orthodontic aligners
• Printing surgical guides for implant surgery

Treatment efficiency and precision improved to the point where daily practice is now unthinkable without digital equipment.

■ Summary

The dental technician shortage is a societal challenge facing all of Japan’s dental healthcare.

In confronting this challenge, I chose the new path of digitalization. While it required substantial investment and continuous trial and error, the result was the establishment of “a system capable of reliably providing a wide range of services, from insurance-covered treatments to cutting-edge private treatments.”

Moving forward, I intend to continue providing the best possible care for our patients, respecting both digital technology and the masterful skills of traditional craftsmanship.