“I set great store by first-class products.”
The ZAHN.SCHMID practice opened in the tranquil town of Immenstaad on Lake Constance in February 2024. Founder Dr Marc Schmid is well aware that choosing the right dentist comes down to trust. As well as professional expertise and a modern, feel-good setting, his practice offers premium equipment,
including the ProXam 3D X-ray unit from KaVo. In this testimonial, he explains why he chose this unit.
“I waited a long time to take on my dream practice in Immenstaad. My family is rooted in this region and I wanted to stay right here. At the end of last year, I decided that the time had finally come. The previous owner retired and the renovation work began. It took around five weeks to renovate, gut and modernise the place, and I reopened the practice on 1 February 2024.
Two of the four treatment rooms are used for professional dental cleaning. We serve a wide range of patients, from young to old, and offer almost every modern dental service, including our own laboratory.”
Local factors are key when choosing a manufacturer
“For X-rays, the previous practice owner used a pure panoramic image unit, which was about 20 years old. Surprisingly, the image quality was still absolutely fine, but it couldn’t do 3D imaging. That’s why I attended FACHDENTAL Stuttgart information days to gather product information and to plan my practice. I was open-minded about the choice of X-ray unit and looked at various options.
As I had selected dental units from KaVo, I ultimately opted for the 3D unit from the same manufacturer. The ‘one-stop shop’ principle makes sense to me, and I appreciate having a single point of contact and short, efficient paths. The local factor was also key: it’s a short journey from Immenstaad to Biberach, and purchasing decisions are always based on trust.”
Purchasing with an eye to the coming decades
“By nature, I’m not someone who likes to go for mid-range options. I know from experience that they rarely work out well, and often end up costing twice as much in the long run. When it came to furnishing my practice rooms, I knew that I wanted premium appliances.
As the founder of a new business, I was investing a lot anyway, so price differences between manufacturers weren’t a decisive factor for me personally. I placed greater importance on the wide range of applications and intuitive operation of the ProXam 3D, as I fit a lot of implants and want to ensure that I’m best placed for the future.”
Smooth cooperation between manufacturer and dealer
“The installation and start-up were carried out by Plandent on 23 January 2024. The old appliance was removed and the electrics relaid beforehand. We also had to reinforce a wall in preparation. Our IT officer came in for the software briefing and everything went smoothly.
And it still does to this day: everyone in the team likes the user interface and the way it works. The 3D is in daily use both for panoramic and CBCT images, and ensures efficient, standardised processes thanks to the S, M and L adjustable sizes.”
Premium quality at a fair price
“So far, I would describe the price-performance ratio as very reasonable, even though we’ve only been using the unit for a short time. Having a premium CBCT unit in the mid five-figure range was unthinkable just a few years ago.
The technology has made great strides, and competition between manufacturers makes it easy for us dentists to make a sound investment.
I benefited from a trade fair discount and a newcomer discount when I purchased my product. I’d recommend that everyone ask KaVo about offers that might apply to them.”
Source: Oemus Verlag | Dentalzeitung 1/2025
