Industry News

With high quality 3D printing more accessible than ever, digital model production makes a lot of sense, and Florida-based Sun Dental Labs is putting such a solution into action by combining 3D printing technology from 3D Systems with the digital scanning and design systems from 3Shape.

TCS recently announced the opening of a new training center in Valley Stream, N.Y., which will  be led by Elvis Rosado and Irina Negru of Matrix Dental Lab. Rosado is a master technician and instructor, specializing in removable flexible partials for over 34 years. Courses will be held in small groups for maximum hands-on experience and attention.

The current outlook suggests that while there is an abundance of qualified buyers available, quality dental practices on the market are lacking.  

Back when it was founded in 1987 the company was known as Implant Innovations Inc., but a lot changes in 25 years. Now as it prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the company goes by BIOMET 3i and has grown from the small firm founded by periodontist Dr. Richard Lazzara and engineer Keith Beaty to a global company with more than 1,000 employees.

For four days in late May and early June, 570 dental professionals from seven countries came together at the World Dental Forum 2012 in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. The event was hosted by Modern Dental Laboratory USA, and speakers presented on topics including endodontics, operative dentistry, implants, esthetic dentistry, oral hygiene, prosthodonics, digital dentistry and oral appliance therapies.

In an effort to make it easier for dental labs and production centers to incorporate their laser sintering systems, AMT Inc. has secured financing plans through Highland Capital Corporation to allow dental labs to lease the production systems for 60-month contracts.

During a June 1 training event held in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rick Sonntag, RDT, provided attendees with an in depth look at the potential of GC America's IQ One-Body System.

In a move designed to streamline operations and provide a one-stop shop for precious metals customers, Heraeus recently announced that as of July 1, all of the company's US chemicals division entities will become one single unit under the name Heraeus Precious Metals North America LLC.

Giving the public a peak into the company's production process, ClearCorrect LLC, recently announced that 3D printers from Objet Ltd. are an integral part of the production of the company's clear orthodontic aligners.

In a move aimed to improve marketing to customers, Nobel Biocare recently announced the promotion of Nicolas Weidmann to the position of Head of Global Marketing. Weidmann had previously been the implant, guided surgery and CAD/CAM company's Head of Global Communications. He will retain responsibility for Nobel Biocare's corporate communications while also taking on worldwide marketing responsibilities. According to a press release, the company hopes to the move will increase the effectiveness of the company's marketing efforts while also making them more efficient.

In promotions news, Wieldand Dental Systems kicked off the month of June announcing the promotion of Stanley Maragos to the position of Vice President. He had previously served as the company's General Manager.

Featuring data covering material use and restoration trends in American dental laboratories, the 2012 U.S. Dental Laboratory Market Assessment and Trends Report was recently released by The Key Group. With data compiled from more than 300 U.S. laboratories, the report covers crown & bridge trends, digital technology adoption, implants, dentures and outsourcing.

Putting itself further behind it's economy line of Artic denture teeth, Heraeus recently announced a 3-year warranty to back the brand. The 3-year warranty has already been in place for the company's premium Mondial teeth lines and it's mid-priced Basic teeth.

There was no shortage of major announcements from the host company of the recent Astra Tech World Congress, held May 9-12 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The event was the last major use of the Astra Tech name as the DENTSPLY-owned company was recently reorganized into the newly created DENTSPLY Implants brand. Abutment news

At its Capital Markets Day event last week in Amsterdam, Straumann unveiled a project its calling Vision 2020 which is a plan based on the companies projections about the future of dentistry and the markets for replacement, restorative and regenerative dentistry.

Zahn Dental held a course and lecture in Tampa on March 14, 2012. The event was a success with Uri Yarovesky, CDT, the charismatic owner of Hilla Technologies providing the lecture and technical instructions.

Lately things have been moving at The Argen Corporation, and not just the numerous alloys the company produces for the global dental laboratory market. A recently launched employee Wellness Program helped encourage 39 members of the Argen team to take part in the La Jolla Shores 5K event last month. 

Today Dublin, Calif.-based lab chain Dental Technologies, Inc. (DTI) named Les Cross and Andras Hites to its Board of Directors.

Maryland dental school professor Huakun (Hockin) Zu, PhD, and a team of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry are using nanotechnology to create a new dental composite that has the potential to aid dentists in the task of removing more harmful bacteria from a cavity and go one step further – rebuild the tooth.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park in Boston, Objet Ltd., produced this massive replication of the Boston Red Sox's ballpark on an Objet Connex500 multi-material 3D printer.

BiteDownDeals is offering free shipping nationwide for all orders placed on its website, www.bitedowndeals.com, from May 1-8, with no minimum order required.

In a move that makes a lot of sense as a follow up to the company's purchase of Astra Tech AB, DENTSPLY International announced the creation of its newest company DENTSPLY Implants.

Many expert and artistic dental technicians are capable of layering amazing images into crowns to create the cosmetic marvels known as tooth tattoos.

Dr. Bill Dorfman, the cosmetic dentist from ABC's series "Extreme Makeover," admitted to saving the teeth he extracts from his celebrity patients. He told TMZ reporters that he has a secret stash and hopes to sell them on eBay in the future. Is this too extreme or would you collect teeth from the rich and famous? John Lennon's tooth recently sold for $30,000...

Have you ever had a dental patient ask you if you are placing secret transmitters in his or her fillings or implants that could help the CIA or other agencies pick up messages from his or her teeth? If so, you probably chalked it up to a serious case of paranoia.

Today I stumbled upon Hesperian Foundation Health Guides a non-profit publisher that "creates and distributes health materials that provide knowledge for action, and inspire action for health." The guides are developed in partnership with healthcare workers and also with the intention to challenge the social injustices that cause poor health, mainly in third world and underdeveloped countries where there are no doctors or dentists close by.

TA Associates, a leading growth private equity firm, has signed a definitive agreement to invest in dental specialist Amann Girrbach AG, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of equipment and consumables for dental reconstruction. Alpine Equity, formerly Hypo Equity, will sell its stake in Amann Girrbach in this transaction.

Nagoya, Japan (February 23, 2010) - Noritake Dental Supply Co., Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noritake Co., Limited, today announced the company has signed a Preferred Partner Agreement with Nobel Biocare, a medical devices group and world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions. The partnership of these two market leaders will result in superior esthetic restoration options for both dentists and dental technicians worldwide.

Fred Ketcho appointed president of Vident Vident, a VITA company, just announced the appointment of Fred Ketcho as its new president, effective immediately. "We look forward to having the benefit of Fred's broad professional experience, leadership abilities, and energy, along with his strong focus on customer relationships," said Wayne Whitehill, CEO of Vident and one of the company's founders.

The Providence Prosthodontics Dental Group case featured a patient who fell as a small child and sustained a fracture of the palate. Years later, an irregular #9 erupted, resulting in multiple failed attempts of preservation. Due to financial limitations, the patient also delayed necessary treatment for many years. Ultimately, bone grafting and implant placement were performed. The need for an esthetically pleasing restoration lead Guichet and Wasky to utlilize a zirconia abutment and core over-layed with VM9 porcelain.