PUBLISHED: November 14, 2024

Excellence in Dentistry: Ritter and Ramsey on Technology, Quality, and Lab Partnerships

 

We recently had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Rob Ritter and Dr. Chris Ramsey of Ritter & Ramsey Cosmetic Dentistry, a top practice in Jupiter, Florida, at the Oral Arts Lab. They toured our facility and talked about the changing role of technology in dentistry, quality and precision in the lab, and the importance of building good lab partnerships.

In this interview, Dr. Ritter and Dr. Ramsey offer valuable advice for dentists aiming to deliver exceptional patient care. They discuss how working with the right lab can elevate the quality and predictability of their restorations.

 

 

 

Q: What was your overall impression of the Oral Arts lab?

 

Ramsey:

I was blown away by everything. Not just the facility itself. The vibe of everybody is really positive and on the mark. It says a lot about the leadership from the top down. This is a company that just seems to get it.

We started with removables, we went to implants, and we went to crown and bridge. Everything has its workflow, and everything has been digitized.

 

Ritter:

To see a laboratory that is quite unlike many other laboratories that I've been to throughout my career - the size, the depth, the scale, the breadth of it…quite honestly, I'm blown away.

It's everything you could think of. The technology, the human capital, the thought process. It's impressive.

 

 

Q: Was there anything specific that stood out to you during your visit?

 

Ramsey:

Oral Arts is ahead of the curve in comparison to a lot of laboratories. Their ability to play in the digital realm a little bit better than everybody is because they started so much earlier.

(That’s important because) throughout the industry, there's not a lot of attention to detail in basic impression-taking. So, I'd rather a dentist use a scanner to avoid drags, pulls, and bubbles and all the things we see with impressions.

Digital scanning will improve your dentistry. If you've got a partner like Oral Arts who has been at the forefront of it, it's a win-win for everybody.

 

Ritter:

Mark Mathias (Supervisor of the Oral Arts Select department) had a great, in-depth conversation with us about how we do things, how we look at things, and how we want them produced. He was right in tune with what we're doing in our workflows. I'm like, “Wow, he's checking all the boxes.” He already gets it, which is kind of rare.

Sometimes we're working with laboratories, and they don't see the big picture. That can become frustrating. Mark and his crew intuitively understood what we're going for. It makes it a lot easier to move forward. They’re already doing what we're doing.

To understand cut-back zirconia versus non-cut-back. Understanding provisionals, and designs utilizing 3Shape or Exocad, and then eventually milling out the PMMAs. A lot of times we spend an inordinate amount of energy sharing that with other people.

 

 

 

Q: What do you look for when choosing a lab?

 

Ramsey:

One of the things I wanted to see was the quality of materials, high-end porcelains, high-end milling units, and high-end printers. That's a big component because (some) laboratories will tell you “We do this,” but then they're using cut-rate printers, cut-rate millers.

You don't find that here. They're using high-quality equipment and materials. You know you're going to get back a superior product compared to a lot of other dental labs.

I don't want to cut corners when it comes to quality. That could be the screw that you're using for your abutment. That could be the milling abutment. For every component, you could stop and say, is that the best product?

(Oral Arts) is not looking to cut corners. That's important to me.

We have to be okay with the fact that dentistry is expensive. If you look at the dollar spent for people to get quality restorations, we need to know that when we're providing that restoration, it's being done very, very well. Part of being done well is quality products from the start.

Things like turnaround times, shipping points of contact, and customer service really make a difference. I think too many dentists chase the concept of per-unit charge. “What do you charge to make a crown?” And some dentist is always looking for $10 cheaper.

That should be the 10th question you asked. The first questions should be all these things I just mentioned. “Am I going to have a timely restoration with somebody I can talk to?” There's nothing worse than a communication error where your restorations aren't coming back on time.

I've watched all the systems in place (here), and that's one of the most impressive things I've seen.

 

 

 

Ritter:

A lot of dentists will call the laboratory and ask: “What materials should I use here? What cement? How do I place this restoration?”

Working with a laboratory like Oral Arts with expertise in different areas is going to be critical for the dentist that calls looking for help.

It has to be a shared vision between the dentist and the laboratory to understand the needs and wants of the patient. Without that sort of partnership and that trust involved, it can be an uncomfortable journey.

 

Q: How is advanced technology, such as 3D printing, impacting the quality of dental restorations, and what was your impression of these technologies at Oral Arts?

 

Ramsey:

Printing technology has really come to the forefront in dentistry.

What does that ultimately mean to a dentist? A high-quality print gives you a very accurate model. So, the restoration is a precision fit.

(With Oral Arts), that's what you're getting. They are using some of the best printers in the world. It's a technological marvel. And there are four floors of amazing technology like this. It says a lot.

 

 

Ritter:

Most laboratories might have one or two mills. (Oral Arts has) many mills, milling many different products, from zirconia to PMMA. And printing materials - wax patterns that you'll eventually press for materials like lithium disilicate or lithium silicate.

To see all those firing at one time, almost like an eight-piston car, is impressive.

I don't really do removables, but to see how the digital transformation has caught up to the removable section. Wow.

And then the actual printing of metals now. I'd seen it six years ago at the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany. But to see the implementation of it in a working laboratory, the finished product is beyond futuristic. So that was very, very cool to see that.

 

 

 

Q: What advice would you give to a dentist who is looking to build a successful cosmetic or restorative practice?

 

Ramsey:

One of the most important things that you can do as a dentist, especially if you're going to consider yourself a cosmetic or high-end restorative dentist, is start relationship building. That's a huge component. (Partner with a lab) who is passionate about putting out a great product and connect with the people (there), it makes a world of difference.

We're not just trying to make teeth; we're trying to make beautiful teeth that are going to last. And a company like Oral Arts totally gets that. It's about trust and communication in both directions. Maybe someone is (reading this) and they're a younger practitioner or new to cosmetic restorative dentistry.

If you're willing as a dentist, to take your ego out of it and say, “What do you need for this to be better?” Oral Arts can map that out for you in ways that other labs cannot. And if you let them guide you, you'll have great success.

 

 

Q: Do you have any closing advice for dentists looking to elevate their practice?

 

Ritter:

In dentistry, we have wonderful technology, but it's not a replacement for care, skill, and knowledge. It's also not a replacement for human connection with patients.

People buy things from people that they like. People buy things from people that they trust. If you don't have that connection and build that trust from the beginning, (everything else) becomes secondary. Once you have that, then it becomes a much easier journey.

I love communicating with my laboratories because, to me, they're the ones that make it happen at the end of the day. I'm not the one fabricating the restorations, the laboratory is. But they need guidance because I understand the patient’s wants, needs, and desires.

If you don't understand that on the front end, you're scrambling on the back end. Being able to put that information to work with the laboratory (helps to fulfill the patient’s) desire for better health and a better smile.

 

Ramsey:

My biggest take-home message for most dentists is don't get too tied up in what's going on around the world. All you need to do is to be better than the best person in your area. Our goal at Ritter & Ramsey in Jupiter, Florida, is to put out the best product in northern Palm Beach County.

We don't care what someone's doing in Chicago, New York, or LA because our patients aren't going there. Often, we say we want to be the best in the world, but what does that mean?

When we can partner with someone like Oral Arts, that will give us exactly what we're looking for -our ability to say, “We're doing it better than anyone else.” So, if you're trying to figure out what to do, Oral Arts can guide you, make your dentistry better, make it more predictable, and in the end, make you more successful.

 

Closing Thoughts: Partnering for Success in Modern Dentistry

 

Our conversation with Dr. Ritter and Dr. Ramsey highlights the essential elements of success in modern dentistry—quality, technology, and relationships.

Key takeaways:

• Quality Materials and Equipment Matter: Investing in high-end materials and equipment enhances patient outcomes and helps your reputation.
• Digital Technology is Essential: Modern technologies like digital scanning and 3D printing improve precision, efficiency, and predictability in restorations.
• A Trusted Lab Partnership is Crucial: Working with a lab that understands your workflow fosters smoother communication, consistency, and better results for patients.
• Lab Reliability and Customer Service Impact Your Success: Quality materials, reliable turnaround, and dedicated customer service are crucial for a successful lab partnership, with cost being a secondary consideration.
• Relationships are Key to Practice Success: Focusing on being the best in your area, establishing connections with patients, and building trust with your lab will bring you long-term success.

A trusted lab partnership goes beyond products; it’s about reliability, communication, and the expertise to support dentists in achieving the best possible outcomes. With state-of-the-art technology, quality-driven processes, and the ability to communicate directly with the people working on your case, Oral Arts helps dentists build confidence in their restorations. Choosing a lab that aligns with your commitment to quality will help you build a reputation for excellence.