Dr. Alexander Heatrice intentionally designed the Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery to create a calming, high-quality environment for patients. From original artwork on the walls to high-end equipment throughout the practice, the physical setting was chosen to help patients feel at ease while receiving optimal care. The practice’s visual and clinical investments reflect a focus on the overall patient experience rather than only on technical capability.
When building the practice, Dr. Heatrice sought more than a transactional vendor relationship—he wanted a partner. Early conversations with Vince Sciore, a Patterson CAD/CAM specialist, prioritized collaborative problem-solving and workflow planning to deliver superior patient care. Vince emphasized that successful practices are those willing to explore solutions as a team, sharing responsibility and reducing individual pressure. That team-oriented approach shaped the practice’s technology choices and integration strategy.
The first major technology acquisition at the Premier Institute was 3D printing. This investment was described as an easy decision because it enabled a clinical capability aligned with the practice’s patient-centered goals: providing provisional implants on the day of surgery. Offering provisional restorations immediately after surgery supports esthetic outcomes and a positive patient experience—key priorities for Dr. Heatrice.
The practice uses a CAD/CAM workflow to capture intraoral scans and diagnostic measurements. These digital records are sent to a designer who creates a template for the provisional restoration. That template is then manufactured—enabled by in-house 3D printing—so patients can leave the appointment with a new set of teeth. The digital workflow allows clinicians to obtain precise readings and measurements that inform the design and fabrication process.
Dr. Heatrice reports profound emotional responses when patients receive same-day provisional restorations. Many patients who come to the practice are coping with embarrassment and insecurity about the condition of their mouths; immediate provisionals can produce visible esthetic improvement during the first visit. According to Dr. Heatrice, patients often cry and tell the team, “This has changed my life!” Importantly, those reactions can occur even before placement of the final prosthesis—the provisional stage is described as a beginning that already has meaningful impact on patients’ lives.
A collaborative, team-oriented approach underpins the practice’s success. Dr. Heatrice values working with experts who help explore options and implement solutions as a team. This approach reduces individual pressure on clinicians and staff and supports practical adoption of new technologies. The emotional rewards of the work are evident; Dr. Heatrice says that at the end of some days, when everyone has gone, he feels emotional because the practice represents a long-held dream he is living.
Dr. Heatrice remains open to adding technologies recommended by his trusted Patterson team. He states that he will listen to Patterson’s offerings if they could help his practice succeed. The source notes that there are additional technologies that set the practice apart and mentions aspects of Dr. Heatrice’s personal life—such as being married to a pediatric dentist who owns her own practice—but details on those technologies and personal insights were not reported in the source.
At the Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery, design choices, a partnership mindset, and early adoption of CAD/CAM and 3D printing have been combined to prioritize same-day provisional restorations and a strong patient experience. Collaboration with a Patterson CAD/CAM specialist informed the practice’s workflow and supported clinical capabilities that produce immediate, emotionally significant results for patients. The practice’s model emphasizes teamwork, technology aligned to patient needs, and ongoing openness to innovations recommended by trusted partners.