April 2012

In 2005, Freddy Char, Owner of Elite Dental Studio, dreamed of creating his own beautiful laboratory. It wasn't easy but with a lot of hard work, a lot of help and a clear vision, he moved into a bright, contemporary facility last year.

For me, one of the greatest highs of our LAB DAY shows is returning home afterwards, brim-full of new ideas, juiced with the energy and creative strategies I pick up from you—our participants and clinicians—when I hear your presentations or we meet on the show floor.

One thing I noticed...

Calling it the "Oscars for denture technicians," Candulor announced the winners of its first-ever North American Kunstzahnwerk (Art of Denture) Competition at LAB DAY. The technician-participants displayed their proficiency in removables by fabricating a fully removable upper and lower bar-retained overdenture.

Taking...

We used to associate CAD/CAM with zirconia but, today, almost any product you want to make can be envisioned through CAD/CAM--whether it's the entire product or part of the product," said Don Cornell, Vice President of Jensen Dental, during his program, Critical Considerations for Integrating a CAD/CAM...

The prizes were flowing fast and furious at the GC/Renfert exhibit. The two companies awarded over $25,000 worth of products and equipment throughout the weekend, allowing the attendees of their Friday and Saturday clinics to spin a prize wheel.

Everyone was a winner and the big-ticket items...

"Validating the needs of dental professionals, our partners and even the patient drives Ivoclar Vivadent to remain on the leading edge of manufacturing, research and development. Producing state-of-the-art products and innovative materials demonstrates our passion and commitment to the dental...

Nearly 100 attendees participated in Star Refining's pedometer promotion at LAB DAY. When attendees stopped by the company's table, they had the opportunity to receive a pedometer and register to compete in a contest to see who walked the farthest during the two-day show. The winner is Pamela Simerman,...

3D Systems Showcases New Digital Printer and Material

In Chicago, 3D Systems showcased the 2012 model of its ProJet™ MP 3000, an affordable CAD/CAM printer for working models and drill guides. Thanks to a new resolution print head, print modes, support process and material, it produces...

If 2011 is any indication, 3Shape isn't slowing down anytime soon. Last year, the company grew by 80% in sales for the U.S.; hired 65 people, including nine in its U.S. office; and filed dozens of U.S. patents.

At LAB DAY, it made two key announcements: its 3Shape TRIOS intraoral digital impression...

Amann Girrbach offers the new Ceramill Motion 2 milling machine during the company's LAB DAY program

The compact hybrid CNC machine combines five-axis milling and grinding technology in both wet and dry applications so laboratories can now dry mill zirconia and wax and wet mill PMMA, temporary...

"For the next 20 years, 10,000 people will reach the age of 65 on a daily basis," said Max Sturm, President of Candulor, during a press conference at LAB DAY. "In addition, 12% of all dentures are now implant supported and we expect to see 6.5% growth in this area next year."

To meet this increasing...

Based on PowerMILL CAM system, Delcam's 2012 version of the DentMILL CAM can take digital CAD designs from most systems and generate toolpaths for a wide range of machine tools. Highlights of the new software include an easier-to-use interface that maximizes screen space; closer integration with...

Digital System, Lava Materials Launched at Jensen Education Day

At Jensen's 17th annual Education Day at the Swissôtel, the company launched a digital system ideal for small- to mid-sized laboratories that includes the Jensen ST II scanner, Lava™ Design 7 Software, Jensen mill and...

Smile Line USA introduced Flexipalette, an assortment of three photographic contrastors that have a spotless, anti-reflective black background that enhances your digital photographs. There are three different forms, each one made out of a bendable copper sheet overmolded with Plastimed, a safe...

Handler Launches Latest Bench, Video on Website

In Chicago, Handler showcased the new PTL-215SP, the latest bench in its Pro Tech Lite Series line. Constructed of steel with an oven-cured, powder-coated finish, the bench offers a spacious work surface with a stainless steel work surface...

The Harvest Dental Laboratory Products' exhibit table was hopping all weekend thanks to an impressive lineup of master ceramists. Jungo Endo, RDT; Thomas Singh, MDT; Peter Pizzi, MDT; Nondas Vlachopoulos, CDT; Joshua Polansky, MDT; and Richard Pavlak, MDT, gave hands-on demonstrations of the company's...

To meet the needs of implant, geriatric and TMJ patients, Heraeus Kulzer launched its Mondial 8i-5° posterior tooth line. "New indication areas such as implant prosthetics are placing increased demands on the stability, function and esthetics of denture teeth," said Lesley Melvin, Heraeus Laboratory...

Just as the Sirona inLab system celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the company has launched a new version of the software, inLab Software 4.0, that offers a faster, easier user interface. Software enhancements include:

•Multiple restoration design that enables the user to work on as many different...

Nobel Biocare's NobelReplace implants now offer more restorative options with two additions to the line:

NobelReplace Conical Connection (CC) features an internal conical connection designed to preserve marginal bone by minimizing micro-movements and potential micro-leakage. It also withstands higher...

LAB DAY Chicago was the official North American launch of Straumann CARES Visual 7.0. This is the first Straumann system built with Dental Wings Open Software (DWOS™) as the core software, the result of a partnership between the two companies formed last year.

"This partnership improves...

Phillip Marashian (right), PTC's Operations Manager, stands ready to answer questions while Dale Mercer, Bluetooth Dental Arts, Alberta, Canada, flips through the company's latest training tool, the TechGuide. A companion to PTC's TechMaster Training DVDs, the TechGuide is a combined manual and workbook...

Vident's VITA® Zyrcomat Can Sinter in 80 Minutes

Vident launches its new VITA Zyrcomat 6000 MS sintering furnace which is capable of sintering up to 25 units as well as nine-unit bridges in 80 minutes starting from room temperature. The furnace has been rigorously tested and proven...

Zhermack's New Dune EcoTech Micro-Sandblasting System Reduces Sand Consumption

Lab Day attendees got the first look at Zhermack's new Dune EcoTech Micro-Sandblasting System. The unit's flow shut-off valves and calibrated nozzles immediately interrupt sand flow when the pedal is released,...

We've got the ball rolling. We're moving the needle in the right direction--maybe not as fast or as far as we'd like--but it's moving," said Dr. James Willey, Director of the ADA's Council on Dental Practice, addressing almost 50 technicians, dentists, educators, manufacturers and association representatives...

The CAD/CAM software, equipment and materials market continues to flourish and several new players were first-time exhibitors at LAB DAY, including:

Creo Dental System launched the Arum5X Milling Machine. This five-axis wet milling unit is compatible with any scanner and features a nine-unit...

Noritake Dental Supply Co., Limited has integrated with Kuraray Medical Inc. The two companies will become Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. and the U.S. representative of Noritake products will be Kuraray America, Inc.

Partnership Announcement

Sagemax announces a new partnership with Nabertherm to offer its high-temperature HTCT 01/16 zirconia sintering furnace. Equipped with SiC heating elements to avoid contamination or chemical interactivity often experienced between zirconia units and molybdenum...

The 200 attendees* at How to Control the Future Before the Future Controls You, co-sponsored by Vident and Nobel Biocare, received a digital, handheld device so they could provide instant feedback to questions posed by Moderator Mark Murphy, DDS, FAGD. Their answers were immediately displayed...

Frank Munzenmayer, CDT, explains how to fabricate an overdenture implant bar without soldering, casting, laser welding or milling using the pre-fabricated SFI Bar from Cendres+Métaux.

LAB DAY 2012 could easily be labeled "The Reinvention Convention." Laboratory owners and managers are more engaged than ever in finding new ways to reinvigorate their businesses

At LMT's LAB DAY 2012--the largest international gathering of the dental laboratory community in North America--about 1,140 manufacturer and supplier representatives greeted over 3,100 attendees from 47 states and 49 countries.

LAB DAY has become the place for product launches and breaking news. On...

The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Mark Twain's words—repeated by Dentsply's Chris Clark—appropriately describe the gist of the Cal-Lab Group's 86th annual meeting in Chicago. Or, to use Clark's own words, "The lab market is here to stay.

"There's been a lot of...