In many aspects of orthodontics, we face the challenge of knowing how much is enough. We determine the ideal force to apply for tooth movement or the number of team members suitable for an effective practice. We also consider how much time is perfect for investing in each patient’s treatment planning. In some circumstances, we can invest too much and negatively affect the outcome.
An example of this is the new patient examination. The doctor’s time in the consult room is often inversely related to the case acceptance rate. In other cases, more time spent developing your team, practice, and relationships will lead to a stronger performing office. As a result, it becomes a challenge to determine what is too much and what is not enough. Similarly to the children’s story, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
When it comes to digital orthodontic techniques, we develop fully customized treatment options. The software sometimes makes it seem extremely easy to approve a treatment plan with a couple of mouse clicks. However, the appliance we can produce can take a lot of time to finesse and customize.
Measure Results
The best way to determine the Goldilocks stage, where work and time spent performing this effort is “just right,” is by measuring it. Each action comes at a cost. For example, some steps cost more time or longer treatment times if we don’t spend enough effort in preparation. Therefore, it is critical to begin measuring key metrics that are interrelated to our outcomes.
For efficient digital treatment planning with a clear aligner system, you would need to measure time in CAD development, CAD modification rate, and the average days it takes you to accept a treatment plan. These can help determine your productivity with the digital workflow.
Conversely, you will also need to measure your additional aligner rate and treatment efficiency in actual treatment time and the number of visits. These metrics can help you determine how efficient you are in creating digital work while gauging your work’s effectiveness in appliance design. Taking shortcuts may lead to gains in the short term. However, it can lead to long-term pain points as an orthodontic practice develops ineffective plans. The Goldilocks Principle applies in digital orthodontics, where we make the right decisions to create the most effective appliance efficiently.
Diminishing Returns
The law of diminishing returns states that after an optimal level of productivity, additional efforts will yield decreased returns. Remember that a fully customized process can risk doctor and staff time to gain effectiveness. We can often tinker with the process beyond the point where revisions make a clinical significance or a measurable change in your practice metrics. As you measure and fine-tune your digital workflow, keep in mind what is leading to improvements and diminishing returns.
