Digitalization has fundamentally transformed dentistry in recent years. With intraoral scanners, CAD software, and compact milling units, dental practices can now manufacture restorations that were previously the exclusive domain of dental laboratories. The so-called chairside workflow offers patients modern treatment without temporaries and without a second appointment. At the same time, it changes workflows, responsibilities, and the economic structure of a contemporary practice.
The question of when an in-office milling unit becomes cost-effective is anything but trivial. As current scientific studies show, profitability depends on treatment frequency, organizational structures, team competencies, and the selected material. Krause (2018), for example, emphasizes that chairside ceramic restorations are particularly economical when certain structural and procedural prerequisites are met. Gade (2016) also highlights that single-visit treatments can be both clinically and financially advantageous, provided they are well integrated into the practice workflow.
This article summarizes the current evidence and explains how and under which circumstances chairside manufacturing provides a relevant practical benefit. The analysis is deliberately objective and scientific, while also outlining the factors that make modern chairside systems accessible and powerful enough to be considered a viable option for general dental practices.
