From the point of view of reducing storage space, use of digital study models has been an unqualified success, but I have to say I have also been surprised about the other benefits of digital models. Firstly we now enjoy complete access to study model records as easily as any other part of the patient notes. Secondly I find the the ability to rotate the models and section them on the screen very useful. I often use this to look at the relationship between the upper and lower molars in lateral occlusion by looking at a section coronally through the 6 contact points. This is quick and easy to do.

Now I can get study models on screen so quickly, I use them much more in a day to day management of cases than I used to. I believe this has helped improve both my day to day treatment planning and treatment execution. I have also found it useful to have easy access to measurements on the models and tend to use Littles Index and Bolton Ratio more than I used to when I used conventional plaster models.

Digital models do take a while to get used to and when I first started using them I did catch myself hankering after plaster models. Like anything else, I found that digital models are easy to get used to. I can honestly say that having made the transition, I would never go back to using plaster models and consider digital models a significant leap forward in my own practice. I would urge you to try them and now that JJ Thompson offer this service it is easy to do so. I think that you too will find them to be a significant benefit to your clinical practice.