Closed systems (one vendor from scan to mill) are simpler to support; open systems let you pick best-of-breed components and change one without replacing everything. Subscription requirements are a newer form of lock-in to check.
Where lock-in appears
Proprietary scan formats, mandatory cloud subscriptions, export fees, resins or milling blocks coded to one machine and practice management systems without an API.
The case for each
Closed systems offer one vendor to call, validated workflows and less set-up. Open systems let you replace one component at a time and shop for materials and lab services. Many vendors now sit in between, offering an open mode alongside validated workflows.
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More glossary terms
Ambient AI scribeBAA (Business Associate Agreement)Case acceptance rateCBCTCDT codesCE marking (EU MDR)ClearinghouseCloud PMSData conversionDeferred interestDental chartingDICOMDSO (dental service organization)ERA (electronic remittance advice)FDA 510(k) clearanceHIPAAHuman in the loopNet collection ratioOpen APIPeriodontal chartingPMS (practice management system)Real-time eligibilitySOC 2 Type IISoft credit checkSTL, PLY and OBJ filesTCO (total cost of ownership)Tooth surfaces and numberingWrite-back (PMS integration)