Working fewer days while increasing productivity and driving more revenue might sound too good to be true. However, for Dr. Christina Do, adding CAD/CAM technology to her practice turned this scenario into reality. “Same-day dentistry is one of the biggest game-changers of my career,” Dr. Do said. “I now work three days a week rather than four while making more money. Eventually, I will be able to cut back even more.”

Dr. Do’s practice in Costa Mesa, California, adopted CAD/CAM technology in 2018 when they invested in the glidewell.io™ In-Office Solution. By the end of 2024, her practice, Smiles4OC, saw a $55,000 increase in monthly revenue. Along with a reduced workweek, the efficiency of same-day dentistry now affords Dr. Do six weeks of annual vacation time without a drop in practice revenue.

After negative experiences with early versions of CAD/CAM technology in the industry, Dr. Do was initially hesitant to invest in chairside milling. While she recognized the potential of glidewell.io for her practice, she could not have anticipated the technology’s profound benefits for her life, her team, and her patients.

“Patients love same-day dentistry because they don’t need to take additional time away from work or have the hassle of driving back and forth for multiple visits,” she said. A meticulous scheduling process designed to maximize her team’s productivity using glidewell.io technology has now become a part of her day-to-day routine.

When first exploring CAD/CAM technology and the fastmill.io™ In-Office Mill, Dr. Do had reservations. While she recognized the value of completing restorative cases in a single visit, she was concerned about how long a patient would wait in the chair. “I didn’t want patients occupying real estate for 45 minutes to an hour,” she said. “It felt like wasted time.”

Instead, Dr. Do said, “The complete opposite has been true.” Mapping out a thoughtful plan to use wait time more effectively during the milling process has helped Dr. Do and her team optimize their workflow. “Once we set a clear plan to be productive during milling time, we never looked back.”

Dr. Do and her team use the milling time for closer interaction with their patients, and the results have been impressive. Dental assistants provide patients with an overview of their treatment and address any questions. “The mindset has completely changed for those who have had crowns placed in the past. They love that they only need to be numbed once, and they walk out with the final restoration that day. I can tell how much they appreciate the experience based on the number of patient referrals I get.”

What is more productive than one mill providing same-day restorative treatment? Two mills, of course. “In our four-doctor practice, having a second mill made us more productive,” Dr. Do said. “And that has made us eager to take on more cases. Having two mills works for us because we are proactive with the schedule. If another clinician’s team uses the mills, we use the wait time to provide any other treatments the patient might need, like a filling. Or, we can treat other patients for aligner visits, hygiene checks, or toothaches.”

Dr. Do is also happy with the prompt, professional customer service she receives when she has questions about her system. “The Glidewell support team is responsive and attentive. That plays a key role in keeping our same-day treatment running smoothly. Equipment used as frequently as our mills will eventually require some maintenance. The great thing is, when that happens, Glidewell has always been there for us — ensuring we never have to stop working,” Dr. Do said. “I have used other technologies with customer service teams that are just not as engaged. The service with glidewell.io makes a huge difference.”

She also credits working with Glidewell for continuously expanding her team’s familiarity with the technology. “Glidewell education courses are fun and engaging, and my assistants love attending them to expand their knowledge base,” Dr. Do said.

After successfully integrating same-day dentistry into her practice, Dr. Do aspires to help other dentists achieve similar results. “It is 2025, and technology is central to so much of our lives. Dentistry is no different,” she said. “There is so much innovation out there that will change how we practice dentistry and care for our patients. And it makes our careers more fulfilling.”