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Straumann® ProTalk with Dr. James Chow · Straumann® ProTalk

0:00
You have a very interesting cv.
0:01
You are an oral maxillofacial surgeon.
0:04
You also are running very successfully a series of practices
0:08
in Hong Kong, but also in China.
0:10
What were some defining moments that actually made you to the
0:13
person that you are today?
0:15
I remember more than 30 years ago.
0:18
I actually attend a course.
0:21
It was my first encounter of dental implants, and instantly at that moment I
0:28
knew it was a game changer for dentistry.
0:50
So welcome to s Straumann ProTalk.
0:52
Welcome to the pulse of Dentistry.
0:54
My name is George Raeber, and together with my co-host Andreas Utz, we are
0:57
very pleased to welcome for this episode, professor Dr. James Chow.
1:02
So welcome, Andreas.
1:03
Welcome, James.
1:04
It's a great pleasure to have you here.
1:05
I know it's it's very busy times and we appreciate that you are joining
1:10
us here in the headquarters now.
1:13
You have a very interesting cv.
1:15
You are an oral maxillofacial surgeon.
1:17
You also are running very successfully a series of practices
1:21
in Hong Kong, but also in China.
1:23
And at the same time, you're an entrepreneur.
1:25
You are running your own business when it comes to 3D printing.
1:28
And then on top of this, you are a technology enthusiast.
1:32
So I'm very sure that today we are.
1:35
Covering a lot of interesting topics for our listeners.
1:37
We will first look at your personal development and have a conversation
1:41
around that, and then also look into the specificities of the Chinese market a
1:46
little bit because it's happening a lot there and you can share some insights.
1:51
Then we'll also look into how you run your business, how you became successful.
1:54
And last but not least, it's going to be very interesting also to look at.
1:58
Technological advancements, particularly in digital dentistry.
2:02
James, thanks again for being here.
2:03
And maybe on a more personal note could you introduce yourself in just one minute?
2:09
I think George already make a very comprehensive introduction,
2:13
so I just make it short.
2:16
As you mentioned, I am a specialist in all maxillofacial surgery and I'm the
2:23
managing director of our specialist group practice in Hong Kong and
2:29
outside the clinic I'm passionate.
2:32
In teaching, education and providing opportunity to shape the next
2:38
generation of dentists in Hong Kong, in mainland China and in the region.
2:44
Whenever I have this opportunity, and although I means I'm very
2:49
committed in this area, but none of my free grown up children.
2:55
Have ever pick up a ske or a dental jewel and yeah.
3:01
Other than walking and teaching the, you may see me rendering the, a museum soaking
3:09
in a concert or visiting a bookstore.
3:12
And also the.
3:15
I like meeting up with new people for a great conversation.
3:19
I think all this will en enlight me by providing me with a new insight.
3:25
So this is.
3:26
Yeah.
3:27
How about us?
3:27
How about me?
3:28
That's a very open personality.
3:29
Interested in new things.
3:31
I can imagine.
3:32
Now when we look at those journeys of successful professionals like you
3:37
are, then there are often some very defining moments that actually in
3:41
hindsight, if you would've known, probably you would've been almost
3:44
scared to take that important decision.
3:47
How is, how was it for you?
3:48
What were some defining moments that actually made you to the
3:51
person that you are today?
3:54
Okay.
3:55
If we are talking about the my practice or my career, so I remember more than 30
4:04
years ago, I actually attend a course.
4:08
It was my first encounter of dental implants, and instantly
4:14
at that moment I knew.
4:17
It was a game changer for dentistry.
4:22
But of course, at that moment I didn't realize it would become my de destiny.
4:29
Okay.
4:29
And, but definitely at that moment already, I think the idea of the,
4:37
going into the dental implant career.
4:40
Planned to sit at that time.
4:42
Yeah.
4:43
And that defined then also how you took your first steps on education,
4:47
but then also what made you actually choose to go in private practice?
4:51
Because you're also very a gifted educator.
4:53
As you mentioned before, you're interested also to share your knowledge
4:57
with with more and more people.
4:59
Did you also consider staying at university?
5:01
Was that an option?
5:03
After I graduate from the dental school, I was actually in practice
5:08
for a short period of time.
5:10
But very quickly I realized I did not like working alone.
5:15
In a tiny room.
5:18
And then I decided I have to.
5:22
I have to do something for myself, for my future.
5:25
So I went back to school for my postgraduate training.
5:30
And when I was a trainee, actually I thought my future
5:36
would be rooted in academia.
5:39
So actually I'm interested in I mean doing teaching research in
5:43
the university, but as time passes.
5:47
Somehow I decided I to go out to venture into practice.
5:53
Of course.
5:53
There are some some background situation because when in your
6:00
introduction, you know that I also went to medical school, so at.
6:04
That time there being a maxillofacial surgeon it is not mandatory, but
6:09
my supervisor he believe, medical background would be very helpful
6:16
in no maxillofacial surgery.
6:18
But when I finish my medicine, actually at that time at that moment, there's low
6:24
position available in the university.
6:27
So of course I cannot.
6:29
Keep waiting.
6:30
So I decide, I open my own practice and, but I to, I told myself if I was
6:39
doing something for my own, I want I want to keep the same standard as when
6:46
I was a trainee in the university, I want to do the best for my patients.
6:50
So this is somehow I start my private practice.
6:55
How does your medical training influence how you do dental surgery today?
7:02
Is that, does it still have does it still resonate and influence
7:05
how you do medicine today?
7:08
When we talk about dental implants?
7:10
Okay.
7:11
Of course, whether we are talking about medical profession or dental
7:14
professions we are looking after patients.
7:17
Patients, okay.
7:18
So the medical knowledge.
7:20
Certainly help a lot because our perspective is broadened.
7:25
Because we have more training on patient management compared to just
7:31
receiving the undergraduate in dentistry.
7:34
So it, it helped in the total patient management.
7:37
But whether we are talking about dentist or medical physician or
7:42
surgeon, the dental implant at that time was lever taught in school.
7:49
So we learn all this.
7:51
Actually when we came out to work, in the pyro.
7:55
But I went to different places to learn dental implants at that time.
8:00
Yeah.
8:02
When you decided to do the medical degree, this was not necessary,
8:07
you took the extra mile when you decided to do this, how much is this
8:10
typical for you and for your success?
8:13
Continuously going the extra mile.
8:18
You are you are right, Andreas, because as I said, it is not mandatory to have the
8:23
double degree, but my original intention is to pursue some academic career.
8:31
So I think it was something necessary and coming out in a RO practice, it is, it
8:39
add value to my practice, but it is not something essential for, performing dental
8:46
implant procedure, even though nowadays I also conduct a lot of complex procedures.
8:51
But I continue to learn because I think.
8:55
Learning is level ending.
8:56
So there's always new technique.
8:58
There's always new method new equipment new finding, new knowledge.
9:04
So I am a, I'm full of curiosity, so I always want to learn something I. I
9:12
don't really I don't fully comprehend.
9:15
So I will dive deeper.
9:17
I will send more time to learn new things to make sure that
9:20
I do better in my practice.
9:23
Yeah I fully see this in, in, I. Dental because when we follow your career
9:27
track and also we see what you have been doing, it really is a learning journey.
9:32
And you're very curious.
9:33
Now maybe more on a personal side how does this curiosity translate in your
9:37
personal life, maybe also your technology interest James Chow at home, maybe.
9:44
I imagine a lot of gadgets and a lot of technological stuff.
9:48
How does it.
9:48
Translate in your personal life, this curiosity.
9:52
When I look back because.
9:53
Nowadays I am very dedicated in all this digital workflow.
9:59
And when I look back, actually I start taking up all this digital technology
10:07
quite early and, but I agree with you.
10:10
It is.
10:11
The first time I think that I want something digital is out of my curiosity.
10:16
I remember the first times I encounter the digital technology, actually
10:23
it's 3D printing and I actually come across an article in a journal, a
10:31
magazine called Popular Science.
10:33
And there's an article on 3D printing, talking about how to make use of
10:38
3D printing on the medical field.
10:41
And then immediately I search whether there's a company in
10:46
Hong Kong selling 3D printer.
10:50
And then somehow I was able to locate that company.
10:54
And then I think I was the first customer first.
10:57
Asking for the company to sell the machine to us.
11:02
So this is the first time I really, bought the 3D equipment
11:08
to the 3D printer to the practice.
11:10
And then I realized as, as far as as long as we, we don't give up research.
11:18
We try to find something that we want actually, it work out.
11:23
So constantly pushing,
11:24
constantly the boundaries.
11:25
Yeah.
11:27
I think we come back to this technology topic later focused
11:29
on, on implant industry.
11:31
Yeah.
11:32
Let's speak a little bit about your practices.
11:34
So soon you will run five significant practices in China and in Hong
11:39
Kong, China, meaning Shanghai.
11:41
So tell us a little bit more, what is the focus of these practices
11:45
and what is your secret to success?
11:47
As that means I'm in a group practice.
11:49
So I think the most important thing is as I say I don't like working
11:53
alone, so I like the team approach.
11:55
I like working with other colleagues.
11:58
So that's why we have this group practice.
12:01
But when you are in a group petti, and the most important thing is to keep.
12:08
Everyone together and I believe together we can all go.
12:15
Farther away in our career.
12:18
So you have to look after the egos of everyone and you have to
12:24
look after their expectations.
12:27
So being a leader, sometime you have to think of other people
12:30
more often than yourself.
12:32
So this is, I think, a very important point when we are
12:36
running a group patterns and.
12:38
The other things we always emphasize is if we want to do something,
12:44
we want to do it the best way.
12:47
So we always take the latest technology.
12:51
We want to create a platform.
12:54
There's a, not because we don't, or we don't have this technique
13:00
or technology so that we are not able to deliver our promise.
13:05
To the patient.
13:06
Group practice with group partners and then keep keeping
13:10
everyone staying together to pursue the best for our patient.
13:16
By taking advantage of all this latest technology, I think is very important.
13:22
Just recently in China, there was a big change with the value-based pricing policy
13:26
that was introduced by the government.
13:28
I think a lot of listeners probably heard about this VVP or
13:31
value-based pricing in China already.
13:34
Can you explain a little bit more about it?
13:36
Yeah.
13:37
The VVP is a central government policy.
13:42
To make it simple, the purpose is to make dental implant treatment more affordable.
13:48
In mainland China, and I think the intention is good, but of course, it
13:55
is somehow we look at it as a more or less, a disrupt disruptive idea.
14:01
But we see the good side of it because in China since the implementation of
14:07
this VPP, the lumbar patients asking for dental implant treatment search.
14:14
And in fact for most of the stakeholder of all this impact company in China,
14:20
they actually see the volume of sales.
14:24
Rise significantly.
14:25
These are the positive sign.
14:28
And of course there are other concern too because suddenly, the volume increase and
14:35
however the number of dentists are capable of doing implants more or less the same.
14:40
The demand of training is actually also rising significantly.
14:44
But many colleagues now, they're very engaged.
14:47
With their busy schedule because there are so many patient.
14:50
So we see these kind of things happening.
14:53
Yeah.
14:54
But yeah, the purpose is to make dental implant treatment more affordable.
14:59
And I think this is certainly a good thing for the general public.
15:03
Yeah.
15:03
If they really have the lead.
15:06
Do you have the teeth replaced?
15:08
Did you have to adapt your business model after this policy was introduced?
15:12
Was it different patients that come, came in or more patients
15:15
or different indications you saw?
15:18
This central government policy actually target all this public
15:23
institution and the government hospital.
15:25
So it is not a policy mandatory in PY patches.
15:30
But of course, the China market is quite elite because we see the public and the
15:35
private, they're running in parallel.
15:37
Also there something happening in the public side.
15:40
They also have the effect spill influence on the private over, yeah.
15:43
To the private.
15:44
So as I said we see more patient, but the outcome is you may see more patient, but
15:50
it doesn't means you may earn more, but.
15:54
As a clinician I have to say patient have a choice.
15:58
We have a choice.
15:59
If you feel comfortable and you think it is good for your patients,
16:05
I don't see it as a problem.
16:08
Of course, sometimes local colleague ask this kind of questions for our opinion.
16:13
I think, in every market.
16:14
Pricing is one thing, but there are also other consideration.
16:18
We cannot say the pricing is the only parameters.
16:24
Affecting our, the way we practice.
16:27
Yeah.
16:27
Yes.
16:28
To build a bit, the bridge then to the technology topic in your practice,
16:33
how important is technology when you educate and convince your patients?
16:39
I have been working for more than 30 years and we are running a referral based
16:45
practice, so most of our patients actually come because of word by mouth, because
16:51
in Hong Kong we live a market ourself.
16:54
So the I have to say we are lucky because usually we see very good patient.
17:01
Very well educated and also their expectations is most of the
17:05
times is very reasonable and they appreciate what we can offer them.
17:12
I. And when we talk about digital workflow, it is
17:15
heavily relying on technology.
17:18
And of course, now we have all the diagnostic.
17:21
So we have common c oral scanning and also other gadget for face scan, draw checking.
17:29
And then we have different types of computer assist
17:31
implant surgery available and.
17:35
All this help us to keep our promise to our patient because we plan the case.
17:39
Digitally and then we can actually execute the plan as we aiming at.
17:46
And usually patient is very happy, especially nowadays because of
17:51
all this development, we are able to deliver immediate function
17:55
or immediacy to our patients.
17:58
And this is very dramatic to our patient because they come.
18:02
With low teeth and then they left with their teeth or they
18:07
come with come for extraction.
18:09
But when they go home already they have implant and they have the restoration.
18:13
I think patient are basically very happy.
18:16
Yeah, that's that's life changing I think for many of the patients
18:18
that you're treating and I, I saw some of your cases there.
18:22
They're really complex cases that also changed the quality of
18:26
life for patients significantly.
18:27
Yeah.
18:28
And I think that's the perfect segue also to talk about one of your, I would
18:32
say topics that are close to your heart.
18:34
Yeah.
18:34
And we don't want to miss when you're here also the opportunity.
18:37
So it's computer assisted implant surgery.
18:39
Yes.
18:39
And more specifically also dynamic navigation and robot assisted surgery.
18:45
So maybe for those that are less familiar with those technologies, can you explain
18:49
a bit what is dynamic navigation and what is robotic assisted surgery?
18:54
Okay.
18:55
Actually under the umbrella of guided surgery, we have the static.
19:00
I think most of us are familiar with it.
19:02
We are basically talking about surgical guide generated by 3D printing.
19:08
And other than that, today's we have this dynamic and also the robotic.
19:13
So whether.
19:15
Static Dynamic, robotic, we are talking about guided surgery.
19:19
The purpose of guided surgery, of course, is we have the implant planted
19:25
digitally, but we lead to find a way to execute the plan and the, all this
19:33
technology are effective to allow us to transfer the plan from the computer.
19:39
To the oral cavity of our patient.
19:42
But when we talk about dynamic the navigation and also the robotics it is a
19:47
totally different mechanism from static.
19:50
So we can look at dynamic as we are doing freehand surgery, but it
19:55
is augmented by computer vision.
20:00
And the computer visions allow us to see through our patient's jaw anatomy.
20:07
And at the same time, the digital planning will become a map, which can
20:14
be shown through this computer vision while we are performing the procedure.
20:19
And then we'll see the planned route.
20:22
Of the implant position.
20:24
And then the convert regions actually guide us to go
20:28
along the p determine route.
20:31
So this is a navigation but.
20:34
How what about robotic?
20:36
So very similar to navigation, especially most of the robotic system nowadays is
20:42
also the, an extension from navigation.
20:46
So we are based, this system are based on the optical tracking using
20:51
the camera system of the navigation.
20:53
But there is a fundamental difference between robotic and navigation and.
21:01
Navigation is you have the GPS, but you are the driver.
21:05
You know the route, but you drive to your destination.
21:08
And robotic,
21:10
self-driving,
21:10
you have, yeah.
21:11
You have the robotic arm and the robotic arm actually will assist you.
21:17
Or some robotics system is able to actually perform
21:22
the procedure automatically.
21:23
As you say, it is more like a full self-driving,
21:27
full self-driving car.
21:28
Yeah.
21:28
So that we're still waiting for.
21:29
So yeah, obviously in dentistry it all always starts to be a reality.
21:33
Now, besides the technological fascination that it is possible what
21:39
clinical problems does it solve to do dynamic navigation instead of
21:43
free hand or in all static guides?
21:47
I think guided surgery, we are always looking for the accuracy.
21:52
And from the literature or from the data available up to now we see actually
22:00
navigation robotic definitely they, in they achieve very high level of accuracy
22:07
and if we compare robotic to navigation, we see robotic can achieve even higher.
22:14
In terms of accuracy, that means we see very minimal motivations
22:18
of the actual position from the planned implant position.
22:23
And what is the significance of it?
22:26
Sometime I explain to my patient, okay, when we place an implant, the
22:33
optimal, the ultimate goal is to.
22:37
Restore the tube or restore the T.
22:40
Okay.
22:40
So the positioning of the implant is critical, the more accurate the implant
22:46
is, and then we expect to see better outcome in terms of function and aesthetic
22:53
and how much accuracy is, essential at the moment we don't have this night drawing.
23:00
We don't have this data to allow us to draw analyzing
23:02
that we cannot pass this limit.
23:05
So I think the approach is the more accurate.
23:09
Should be the better.
23:10
And yeah.
23:12
What I hear very often, James, is that accuracy is one thing, but
23:16
a lot of skilled surgeon would say, look I'm very skilled to do
23:20
this freehand and much faster.
23:22
What would you respond to this?
23:26
I can tell by from my own experience.
23:29
Okay.
23:29
So as a human, okay, we improve our technique by learning, by experience.
23:36
Okay.
23:37
But we are also have physical limitation.
23:41
For example, I have been working for 30 years, so can I continue
23:44
to work for another 30 years?
23:46
So this is one question because human, we get fatigue.
23:50
We get aging.
23:52
But robot, you don't, they will not, you don't have to think about this.
23:56
And the other thing is, as a human, we try to be.
24:02
Good every time.
24:03
But there is always some outlier.
24:06
That means I perform very well nine days out of 10 days.
24:13
But last day I just didn't achieve the same level of position as my.
24:21
Previously, or as my usual performance, it can happen with human, but robot
24:28
will eliminate all this human error.
24:31
And also the other thing is okay for machine, okay, by iteration they can
24:39
only be become better and better, and.
24:44
I told you earlier, I like to helping the next generation of dentists to
24:50
help them to develop their career, to provide education to them.
24:55
No matter how experienced I am, no matter how much case I can show to them.
25:01
They have to learn from ground zero because they cannot inherit the
25:08
experience or the skill directly from us.
25:11
But with machine, again, the robot able to do this in Hong Kong in the
25:17
future very easily through all this artificial intelligence, another
25:22
robot of the same model in Basel.
25:27
Yeah.
25:27
Capable of doing the same.
25:28
Same, the same.
25:29
No, they do
25:29
The same.
25:29
Yeah.
25:29
Yeah.
25:30
It's and at one point in time, it's this question of superhuman
25:32
performance with generative ai.
25:34
I think because these systems can be trained by the best of, of a trade,
25:39
there is this possibility to actually become much more superior now.
25:43
We'll talk about it a little bit later what it actually means in
25:46
terms of, patient acceptance.
25:48
But before that I wanted to ask you, you're applying dynamic navigation and
25:51
robotics now in, in your clinic, right?
25:54
At which state is this technology?
25:56
When you're talking about this, is it more, in the future it'll
25:59
be possible to use it like this?
26:01
Or is it already, usable today for daily clinical practice?
26:07
It is already here.
26:08
It is already in daily use.
26:11
So whether it's navigation, whether it's robotic, whether we are talking
26:15
about treating patient in Hong Kong, in mainland China or in the United
26:19
States, we see robotic and navigations.
26:23
They're working very well.
26:25
Yeah.
26:25
But of course, if we are talking about robotic, it is very little.
26:30
To the profession.
26:31
We are not seeing it is something already wide widespread, but it is here already.
26:36
So how many of your patients in your practice do you operate with the robot
26:40
and how many do you do in a different way?
26:44
I have to say most of the time I use navigation.
26:48
So maybe 10% of my patients I use robotic because as I said, patient have a choice.
26:55
Okay?
26:56
So whenever we introduce new technique, we will provide very forward
27:03
explanation and also the sufficient information to the patient to consider.
27:09
And the other thing is also the, when we are talking about this advanced theology,
27:14
it add some cause to the patient.
27:18
And at least at the moment, I won't tell my patients.
27:23
Navigation is inferior to robotic.
27:26
They are comparable, so the patient can have a choice and yes, but I will see
27:33
when robot become more well-known to the profession and also to the patients
27:40
we will see more and more patients they will consider this kind of technology.
27:45
Yeah.
27:46
When we discuss robotics with with dental professionals, then you can get
27:49
very different feedbacks and opinions.
27:51
So there is technology enthusiasts like your, that is okay let's try
27:55
this and let's use it in clinics.
27:56
And then there is a lot of people that, have outright fusion of
28:01
actually just trying to do it.
28:03
In other surgical medical fields, it's already quite standard.
28:07
So in ophthalmology, for example, in neurosurgery, it has become a
28:11
standard of care to also use robotics.
28:14
In many of those interventions, is dental somehow lagging
28:18
behind h How do you see this?
28:20
How do you see the future and why is it that there is still quite
28:23
a debate whether it will have a positive impact in the future?
28:28
I look at this question from.
28:31
This angle.
28:32
For example, if we talk about ophthalmology, I think dentistry
28:36
and ophthalmology, we are talking about high position.
28:40
We are the same because when we place in panel when we to restore the teeth, we
28:45
are talking about micro level of accuracy.
28:49
And so if we have a way to actually achieve the high level
28:55
of position, I think, definitely it is something we have to go for.
28:59
But in reality in dentistry, because the surgical part and the restorative part, it
29:08
is separate and sometimes, certain level of deviation from the panel position can
29:16
be compensated by the result of work.
29:20
Which I don't think is same as in ophthalmology.
29:24
So if they are doing a ref reflective surgery, there's no, there is no
29:28
corrective measure to actually, yeah.
29:30
Yeah.
29:30
So that's why, in dentistry, maybe there's still room for us to, to
29:36
play, to see whether it is the time we have to all change to
29:43
technology, navigation and robotic.
29:45
It will take a while for this kind of technology.
29:48
Technology to become the democratize.
29:51
Yeah.
29:53
As George already said before, James, you're doing a lot of complex
29:56
reconstructions full art reconstructions, FP one reconstructions beyond robotics.
30:03
What was the major technology that changed your total workflow in your practice over
30:08
the last, let's say three to four years?
30:10
Yeah,
30:11
For a long time we are al always looking for technology that can be integrated
30:17
seamlessly so that we can achieve what we call the food digital workflow.
30:23
And we spent more than 20 years working on this area and just recently.
30:30
We are very comfortably to tell our patients we can deliver our promise.
30:35
That means if we promise the patients we can provide them with the food
30:40
digital for, we are able to do it's not because I'm getting better than
30:45
before it is because the technology development is now up to this level and.
30:53
As Andreas mentioned, the surgical tooth is one important component,
30:58
but we need good diagnostics and then we need a very good restorative
31:04
technique so that after the surgery we can really deliver the immediacy
31:11
within a short period of time with.
31:13
It's the same level of accuracy as the navigation of robotic surgery.
31:18
And nowadays because of the advancement is in digital impression, including the intra
31:24
scanning, including the photogrammetry and also the, with the advancement in 3D
31:30
printing and also the printing material.
31:33
Now we are able to, to deliver the immediate restorations within hours
31:40
within the same day of the procedure.
31:42
Even when we are talking about the complex cases, if we are dealing
31:47
with more straightforward cases, for example, a mixing molar in a cyte we
31:54
can actually fabricate the prosthesis.
31:57
And then by taking advantage of the guided surgery, whether we are talking
32:01
about surgical guide, navigation, robotic, or can achieve a high level of
32:06
positions, then we are able to connect the prefabricated restoration immediately
32:12
after the implant is being placed.
32:14
So we feel.
32:15
Where we comfortable nowadays because we have the confidence, we know I
32:20
mean to this is what we can achieve, what we can provide to our patient.
32:25
Yeah.
32:26
So maybe as a last question of related to that technology,
32:30
where would you see it go?
32:32
Five to 10 years?
32:33
You are already very advanced.
32:35
In five years, in 10 years is your prediction that every larger practice will
32:40
have, dynamic organization and robotics?
32:42
Or maybe is there something that you can imagine beyond?
32:45
Yeah,
32:46
so if we are not looking at the development of the technology you can see
32:51
the technology one thing very rapidly.
32:55
In some area we can say it is exponentially.
32:59
And one thing.
33:00
So we expect to see things keep changing or evolving in a short period of time.
33:07
But of course, to de democratize all these technologies, there are
33:11
other question we have to address.
33:14
For example, the cost of The cost.
33:15
Yeah.
33:16
I think this is one thing whether it is from a company perspective or from a
33:21
clinician perspective, this is something that we also take into consideration.
33:26
But personally I always look at the efficiency of the workflow and
33:32
how effective is the technique.
33:35
Then the last thing I consider is the price.
33:38
But it is of course something we still have to consider.
33:41
I think if I tell you I don't consider the cause of setting up all this, I
33:47
think it is irresponsible because, in real world, this is something that
33:51
we have to take into consideration.
33:53
So whether all this technology will democratize at the same pace
34:00
as the technology being at once.
34:03
I think there's other factor we have to work together from all the, from
34:08
the company or from the professions.
34:11
We have to work together to see how can make it more acceptable to the patient
34:16
and at the same time to the clinician.
34:17
Yeah.
34:19
James, you shared a lot of incredible insights with us.
34:22
Thanks a lot on the technology.
34:24
What is the question you brought and you would have to us
34:27
since we are talking about all this technological advancement?
34:32
So I'm also curious and Straumann as the industrial leader in implant dentistry.
34:40
I'm interested to know what.
34:43
It's the value or what is the significance for the company to actually develop
34:48
your own navigation system or maybe in the future, the robotic system?
34:53
What is the significance of this?
34:56
Maybe I can start and then Andreas, please jump in.
34:58
Please.
34:58
Yes, we started this journey already quite some time ago.
35:01
And you might have seen also with the Falcon, we have a first product
35:05
on the market that actually, tries to make dynamic navigation,
35:09
something which is less cumbersome and also accessible for clinicians
35:14
for all kinds of different cases.
35:15
So for single cases, but also for larger cases with multiple implants and.
35:20
We did this because we were strongly believing that there is a benefit of
35:25
dynamic navigation over static navigation.
35:28
And we see that the setup time, also the independence of, waiting for a guide.
35:33
When you plan it with the goal is actually with dynamic navigation
35:36
that you can do it on the spot.
35:37
So you can plan your case and then you actually move directly to surgery.
35:42
And on top of this, I believe it's also giving the surgeon
35:45
much more flexibility to.
35:48
React to the individual patient situation on the spot in a guide.
35:52
You're still quite confined, so you don't have the haptic
35:55
feedback that you have free hand.
35:57
At the same time, it gives you also the confidence that you're exactly
36:01
at the right position in the patient.
36:03
So you talked before about, the GPS the interval GPS, we were very convinced that
36:09
this is an important next step and hence also our openness to, take the next step
36:15
and move further into asking the question, what clinical problems could robotics.
36:21
Solve in the future and also triangulate this with what are, let's
36:27
say, the benefits for the patient.
36:28
What are the benefits for the clinician and what is a affordable.
36:33
Let's say cost proposal to make this something that doesn't only
36:36
work for, very large clinics that's on our minds very strongly.
36:41
And to achieve this, there is different ways to go.
36:45
So it could be open innovation in a sense that we collaborate with with
36:49
companies that are already quite advanced.
36:51
It could also be own development.
36:53
It could be with the help of OEM manufacturers because.
36:57
We discussed before there is.
37:00
A lot already that happened in the general medical field.
37:04
So there are robots that are maybe too costly for orthopedics.
37:09
They're robots that are too costly for neurosurgeon neurosurgery.
37:12
But if we can downscale this, there is a possibility to use this technology also
37:17
for dental at at an effective level.
37:19
And hence this is where we're currently at.
37:21
So understanding what the potential is.
37:25
What problem it solves.
37:27
Not, being in love with technology, but actually taking it from the patient
37:31
and the clinician's perspective, and then try to make or use technology
37:36
to solve those kind of problems.
37:38
And we see a lot of potential for this.
37:39
So it's a very interesting journey that we're currently at.
37:42
And we learn every day what it could be.
37:45
And I have to say also looking at.
37:47
Markets like China, there is a lot more and faster advancements than we
37:52
see today in Europe and also the us.
37:57
Looking at those markets in, in, in China that are more, have a higher affinity,
38:03
I think also for looking at technology on a, with an open mindset can be very
38:07
instructive for us to draw a way forward.
38:12
That was a very comprehensive answer.
38:13
There's not much read, to be honest.
38:15
I think it's beyond this as usual.
38:18
It's laying the scientific evidence, for it, positioning it
38:22
the right way, making sure the right patients are benefiting from it.
38:25
We put it into the hands of the right clinicians, and I think also together
38:29
with the idea to to put the education.
38:32
Behind.
38:32
So we really want to give this technology into the right hands.
38:35
And we feel, as George alluded, we feel the responsibility that also in
38:40
this field we need to lead the thoughts and drive it into the right direction.
38:44
I think that's a fair summary.
38:47
So thanks a lot, James.
38:49
So I think what I. I took away was, first of all, it's worth going the extra mile,
38:55
like you did it with your medical degree.
38:57
And I think that's very often in life, the case, the extra mile
39:01
brings you to, to greater goals.
39:03
So that, that's something I took away.
39:05
I took away that.
39:07
Robotics is really something that is a topic that we need to watch
39:11
and develop and that we see in some parts of the world, like in China.
39:15
We see it used very broadly already in in clinical practice.
39:20
And what I also took away is that, you are very mindful.
39:24
Bringing your practices to success with caring about a team, providing a great
39:29
platform for a team that then, can really be a high performing team because you
39:35
have the mindset of creating a platform for them that where they can excel.
39:38
I found this an exceptional thought, so thanks a lot, James.
39:42
Yeah
39:42
I also I have to thank, George and Andreas, and now we see Straumann
39:48
is already committed in navigation.
39:50
So I'm looking forward to see the later engagement in robotic.
39:55
So thanks a lot James.
39:58
Also from my side it was a very, thoughtful, interesting conversation
40:02
that we that we could have.
40:03
So to all our listeners thanks a lot for being part of this
40:06
episode of Straumann ProTalk.
40:08
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40:10
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40:15
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40:20
Thanks a lot.