September 2014

In addition to technical support, marketing personnel and a scanner repair area, 3Shape’s new east coast facility in Warren, NJ, features training rooms for technicians to test drive and learn about 3Shape scanners and dentists to get familiar with the TRIOS Digital Impression System.

As a result of rapid growth in its digital services, Albensi Laboratories was bursting at the seams. Now, its new building features a well-organized layout, energy-efficient systems and room to grow.

“Something different happens when you’re able to physically hold a case and learn from it instead of a book,” explains Anthony Calonico, CDT, in his article about his unique strategy for teaching occlusion to his staff members.

Jean Chiha, CDT, shares his step-by-step process for fabricating a posterior, three-unit, implant-supported bridge using Noritake KATANA Multi-Layered (ML) Zirconia.

The challenging aspect of this case was that one of the implants was improperly placed between #7 and #8. Steve Lee explains how he made a screw-retained zirconia framework with pink gingiva tissue to recreate the lost gingiva and then cemented on four single crowns made from IPS e.max to the framework.

Nearly three quarters of respondents to LMT’s exclusive 2014 Wage Survey have taken cost-cutting measures related to personnel in the last two years, citing unpredictable workflows, pricing pressure from dentists and other low-cost labs, and an increase in business costs.

The great transition taking hold of the way our community works is far from settling down as strategies continue to be employed and tested by tomorrow’s business leaders. Some of the changes have the capacity to pull the rug out from under us even as we retool to adapt to today’s innovations.

Though...

When it comes to hiring a new technician, should you wait until case volume exceeds your production capacity, or hire before you’re overwhelmed by case volume?