Glidewell Dental Lab Unveils Its New Training, Education and Technology Demonstration Center with a Grand Opening Event

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, announced today the opening of the Glidewell International Technology Center, its new 2,800-square-foot training, education and technology demonstration center located on the Glidewell Laboratories campus in Irvine, Calif. The center houses a fully functional operatory and surgical suite equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and technology, including a Cone Beam CT scanner, and will offer live video demonstrations to a 40-seat interactive classroom auditorium. Experienced clinicians and technicians will provide comprehensive and affordable professional development and continuing education programs covering all aspects of modern implant and restorative dentistry.

The centerpiece of the Glidewell International Technology Center is the fully equipped operatory and surgical suite, which will be utilized for live surgical and prosthetic demonstrations. Procedures performed in the operatory will be viewable from the adjacent classroom auditorium through a smart window and on large-screen and bench monitors via high-definition digital cameras. A multi-zone audio system provides sound to all areas. Adjacent to the operatory and surgical suite is a working laboratory, sterilization room and radiology room. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lounge, just outside the lecture area.

The Glidewell International Technology Center is an example of Glidewell Laboratories’ commitment to providing dental professionals with opportunities to improve or add to their skill sets, achieve professional satisfaction and lower the cost of dental treatment for increased patient affordability. Offered courses will help educate clinicians on the latest dental technologies — including Cone Beam CT scanning, portable digital radiography, intraoral scanning and chairside milling, and digital treatment planning and guided surgery — and provide instruction for smoothly integrating them into their practice. Scheduled courses will also cover topics such as: esthetic restorative dentistry; soft tissue management, preservation and grafting; medical billing and coding; edentulous patient rehabilitation using mini implants; and oral appliance therapy for sleep disorders; among others.

July 14 marked the technology center’s official debut with a grand opening event attended by Glidewell customers, dentists from local and surrounding counties, and dental industry members. To kick off the evening, Glidewell Laboratories President and CEO Jim Glidewell gave a speech in which he explained the company’s vision for the center.

“Our goal with this technology center is to emulate the efforts of world-class dental education facilities like the Pankey Institute and the Scottsdale Center, while focusing our offerings on practical, innovative solutions to everyday clinical challenges,” Glidewell said. “This is not merely an implant sales facility, a materials-selling operation, or a means to highlight intraoral scanning and its digital progeny,” he added. “Rather, it is our intent to share and advance the widespread knowledge of these and other advanced technologies and techniques for the fundamental purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of our patients and those of us who serve them.”

Other highlights of the grand opening event included a detailed explanation of the center by Glidewell Laboratories Director of Clinical Technologies Dr. Bradley Bockhorst, guided laboratory tours and interactive technology stations. Attendees participated in demonstrations featuring the lab’s digital treatment planning and implant services, IOS FastScan® Digital Impression System, 3Shape D700 Impression Scanner and PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT system. Additional stations included a Glidewell product showcase, spotlighting ERKODENT® thermoforming systems and the lab’s newly launched line of Inclusive® Mini Implants, and a Web station for accessing the Glidewell Laboratories website (www.glidewelldental.com).

The Glidewell International Technology Center is located at 18551 Von Karman Ave., Ste. 201, Irvine, CA 92612. For more information or to register for upcoming courses, visit www.glidewellce.com or call 800-854-0970.

Glidewell Laboratories is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality restorations to dental practitioners nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit the Glidewell Dental Lab website.

ERKODENT is a registered trademark of ERKODENT Erich Kopp. IOS FastScan is a registered trademark of IOS Technologies Inc.

Dentists prescribing Inclusive Custom Implant Abutments or CAD/CAM Bars and Frameworks for their restorative implant cases now have a nationwide selection of laboratories to choose from. Through the Inclusive Certified Laboratories program, dental labs are being invited to join the network of providers who guarantee the strict quality and value pricing of these precision-milled implant components. Currently, the network consists of 32 laboratories in 15 different states. (For the complete, up-to-date list of Inclusive Certified Laboratories, please visit www.inclusivedental.com.)

Inclusive Custom Implant Abutments are available in titanium or zirconia, and are made according to your specifications to achieve ideal soft tissue contours and crown esthetics. Designed using 3-D CAD technology and then fabricated using precision 5-axis milling, Inclusive Custom Implant Abutments are compatible with nine of the most popular dental implant brands, including Astra Tech OsseoSpeed#, Biomet 3i# Certain#, Brånemark System#, NobelActive#, NobelReplace#, Straumann# Bone Level, Zimmer Screw-Vent#, Keystone PrimaConnex# and Neoss#.

All Inclusive Custom Implant Abutments are designed and manufactured under strict quality control processes, by a team of engineers, machinists, quality assurance technicians, and dentists with decades of combined industry experience. Their knowledge of implant dentistry, prosthetic components, and state-of-the-art digital technologies has enabled them to implement cost-effective processes that incorporate the latest in automated CNC technology and result in a turnaround time of as little as two days.

Due to the consistent fit and high demand for these custom abutments, the Inclusive line of products has further expanded to incorporate the availability of Inclusive CAD/CAM Bars and Frameworks. These precision-milled components are held to the same exacting standards as Inclusive Custom Implant Abutments, and represent a valuable service wherever implant-retained removable prostheses are prescribed — particularly in the presence of limited vertical dimension.

Whichever high-quality, custom implant solution is needed, dentists can submit cases to any of the certified labs listed on the Inclusive Dental website, or encourage their preferred laboratory to become a certified lab. For additional information about the program, or to recommend a laboratory for certification, please visit www.inclusivedental.com, or phone Glidewell Dental Lab at 800-854-7256.

#Not a trademark of Glidewell Laboratories.

Thanks to a new initiative, dentists looking to prescribe custom-fitted Comfort H/S Hard Soft Bite Splints for patients suffering the effects of bruxism now have a wider range of laboratories to choose from. Through the Comfort H/S Authorized Laboratories program, dental labs nationwide are being invited to join the network of providers who guarantee the strict quality and consistent pricing of the most widely prescribed bite splint available. Upon launch, the network consists of 15 laboratories in 8 different states, as well as a pair of international laboratories in Central and South America. (For the complete, up-to-date list of Comfort H/S Authorized Laboratories, please visit www.comfortsplints.com.)

The Comfort H/S Hard Soft Bite Splint is a clear splint designed to alleviate the pain and damage caused by bruxing and clenching. Its popularity with dentists and patients is most readily attributed to its comfort and fit. Two layers make up the Comfort H/S Bite Splint: a 1 mm soft polyurethane inner layer that rests comfortably against the patient’s teeth and gums, and a 3 mm hard copolyester outer layer that provides increased durability and easy modification of vertical dimension using cold-cure acrylics.

Comfort H/S Hard Soft Bite Splints are fabricated by thermoforming a dual-layer Erkoloc Pro disc from ERKODENT® over a stone model using the Erkoform-3d™ state-of-the-art thermoforming unit with the Occluform-3® occlusal imprinting attachment. ISO-certified Erkoloc Pro discs are BPA-free and non-allergenic. The Occluform-3 occlusal imprinting attachment allows a splint to be produced with either a flat occlusal plane and slight opposing cusp indentation, or anterior guidance with posterior disclusion using an open construction bite. After thermoforming, the splint is contoured using carbide burs, then polished with felt wheels and acrylic polish for a smooth and comfortable fit.

Dentists can submit cases to any of the Authorized Labs listed on the Comfort H/S Hard Soft Bite Splint website, or encourage their preferred laboratory to become an Authorized Lab. The Comfort H/S website also includes a selection of free multimedia resources for dentists, patients, and laboratories, including informative brochures, educational and technical videos, and promotional images, all designed to help build awareness among current and prospective customers.

In addition to these free marketing materials, Authorized Comfort H/S Bite Splint Labs will be listed in national advertising campaigns, drawing further notice to their services. Dentists seeking additional information about the program or looking to recommend a laboratory for authorization are encouraged to visit www.comfortsplints.com, or to phone Glidewell Dental Lab at 800-854-7256.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, announced today its newest green initiative: the recycling of post-milled BruxZir Solid Zirconia Milling Blanks.

The Glidewell Laboratories Research & Development team, using innovative processes, refines quality high-purity yttria-stablized zirconia powder to a significantly reduced grain size, increasing its strength and optical properties. This improved material is then utilized in conjunction with proprietary processes to create monolithic zirconia BruxZir Milling Blanks for the fabrication of virtually chip-proof BruxZir Solid Zirconia crowns, bridges and implant restorations.

While zirconia has many applications in an array of fields, including energy, telecommunications, steel, mining, oil field supply and aerospace, the lab’s reformulation of the material, including advances in nanotechnology, has been recognized as groundbreaking. The strength, high fracture toughness, resistance to thermal shock and translucency of BruxZir Solid Zirconia dental restorations have contributed to its rampant success in the dental profession.

When BruxZir restorations are milled from BruxZir Milling Blanks, not all of the refined zirconia material is utilized. A 98 mm diameter (12 mm thick) blank (300 grams) yields up to 19 single-unit crowns (1.6 grams each). That means only 30 grams worth of BruxZir material is used, or just 10 percent. The lab cannot reuse this material once it has been sintered because the crystallite properties expand exponentially, effectively diminishing its translucent properties.

For the past year, the lab’s senior director of Research & Development Robin Carden has been researching ways to recycle the remaining 90 percent of unused post-milled BruxZir Milling Blank material. “We have been searching for ways to recycle our post-milled BruxZir material since March 2010,” explained Carden. “Because zirconia is wear-resistant and able to withstand high temperatures, this material is ideal for applications such as molten metal nozzles, oil field valves and high temperature insulation.

“By recycling this material, Glidewell Laboratories is reducing its carbon footprint and allowing this material to be repurposed and reused for other applications that involve high temperature, thermal shock, corrosion, and high wear and impact,” Carden added.

Glidewell Laboratories is pleased to launch this recycling program, which will allow other industries to benefit from zirconia’s unique material properties. Additionally, the lab will invite its more than 100 Authorized BruxZir Laboratory partners to participate. For more information about BruxZir Solid Zirconia, please visit http://www.bruxzir.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, based in Newport Beach, Calif., is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dentists and dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit http://www.glidewelldental.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, is pleased to introduce the Inclusive® Mini Implant System. This new service provides dentists with an all-inclusive implant solution at a great value.

Inclusive Mini Implants are small-diameter self-tapping titanium implants that have been FDA cleared to market for long-term applications. The lab offers two options for the Inclusive Mini Implant System: Purchase individual mini implants or prescribe the Inclusive Mini Implant Overdenture. Offered at an economical, all-inclusive price, this package includes the final overdenture, four Inclusive Mini Implants, surgical drill, impression copings, analogs, O-ring housings and all model work.

Inclusive Mini Implants are available in three diameters (2.2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm) and three lengths (10 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm) and provide many benefits including: a minimally invasive surgical protocol, immediate loading and affordability. Mini implants can accommodate new or existing dentures, which are anchored to the exposed ball heads of the mini implants via a simple and effective O-ring retention system, providing edentulous patients new levels of comfort and confidence.

Glidewell Laboratories employs a specialized team of dental implant engineers and machinists, who have decades of experience in the design and manufacture of dental implants, prosthetic components and instruments. This team uses its collective knowledge combined with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology for the cost-effective fabrication of Inclusive implant parts.

By controlling the entire process, from implant manufacturing to overdenture fabrication, Glidewell Laboratories has significantly lowered the cost of treatment for edentulous patients. Doing so has made high-tech, quality implant dentistry more widely available to patients, regardless of their economic status.

For more information on the Inclusive Mini Implant System and the Inclusive Mini Implant Overdenture, visit www.glidewelldental.com. To order Inclusive Mini Implants, visit https://www.glidewelldirect.com/DentalImplants.aspx or call 800-407-3379.

Glidewell Laboratories, based in Newport Beach, Calif., is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dentists and dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit www.glidewelldental.com.

Dr. Gordon Christensen, in the March 2011 issue of Dental Economics, discusses the rise in popularity of all-zirconia tooth-colored restorations – specifically calling out BruxZir Solid Zirconia. He explains that while BruxZir is still relatively new to the dental profession, its many benefits outweigh potential risks and provides clinicians and their patients with restorations that are durable, esthetic and affordable. Click here to read his final verdict.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services and manufacturer of BruxZir Solid Zirconia dental material, Research & Development team has moved closer to producing transparent nanozirconia by successfully synthesizing 3 nm zirconia nanocrystals produced by "bottom-up" nanotechnology.

The research team, led by Ken Knapp, Glidewell Laboratories' program manager and lead researcher, developed a method for producing non-agglomerated 3 nm nanocrystalline zirconia powder using a revolutionary bottom-up nanotechnology technique known as "gas-phase condensation." The focused effort of the nanozirconia research team over the last year has resulted in new discoveries about the nature of sub-5 nm nanozirconia crystals. Glidewell Laboratories has filed a U.S. patent application on the new ceramic nanotechnology (patent pending). This method consists of colliding high-energy yttrium, zirconium and oxygen ions together in an energetic gaseous phase and condensing yttria zirconia nanocrystal particles resulting from atomic collisions during flight in the gas phase. The condensed yttria zirconia nanocrystal particles are separated from the gas phase and collected in the form of nanocrystalline powder. According to Knapp, "The key to making transparent polycrystalline zirconia material is starting with a non-agglomerated yttria zirconia primary crystal size less than 5 nm. Glidewell’s new gas-phase condensation nanotechnology for producing nanozirconia will allow us to overcome the fundamental polycrystalline birefringence barrier to manufacturing a transparent, high-strength monolithic dental ceramic product."


High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image of Glidewell Laboratories’ 3 nm nanocrystalline zirconia material produced by gas-phase condensation “bottom-up” nanotechnology.

Conventional nanozirconia powder is typically produced by "top-down" nanotechnology methods such as hydrothermal synthesis (calcining followed by ball-milling). Many of the nanozirconia powders available on the market today are comprised of hard-agglomerated nanocrystals with a primary crystal size of approximately 30 nm. After sintering, typical nanozirconia grain size is between 500-1000 nm. The top-down method is widely used to produce nanocrystalline materials by breaking down larger particles and agglomerates into smaller ones, typically by ball-milling. The bottom-up nanotechnology method builds up nanoscale materials atom by atom or molecule by molecule. Bottom-up nanoscale science and technology is the state of the art for producing the next generation nanoscale materials and devices. The bottom-up method has a lower scale limit on the atomic or molecular level. Additionally, the bottom-up-produced nanocrystalline structures are not altered during the process of forming the nanoscale crystals, whereas top-down methods alter the crystal structure and surface chemistry.

Robin Carden, senior director of Glidewell Laboratories materials research and development said, "Glidewell’s nanozirconia material produced by the gas-phase condensation method overcomes the inherent sub-5 nm crystal size production barrier and hard-agglomeration formations found in conventional nanocrystalline ceramic processing."


Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of dry-compacted nanozirconia (fractured cross-section) comparing 3 nm hard-agglomerated conventionally produced nanozirconia (left) to Glidewell-produced 3 nm nanozirconia material (right).

Common zirconia dental ceramics are translucent and not transparent as a result of light-scattering during transmission by birefringence and porosity. Light-scattering by birefringence is an intrinsic property of polycrystalline optical materials with an anisotropic crystalline index of refraction. Birefringence is reduced dramatically when the sintered grain size is reduced below 100 nm. Porosity causes light-scattering in the visible spectrum between 400-700 nm, which reduces the zirconia optical transparency.


Optical microscopy image of dry-compacted nanozirconia (fractured cross-section) comparing 3 nm hard-agglomerated conventionally produced nanozirconia (left) to Glidewell-produced 3 nm nanozirconia material (right).  Conventionally produced 3 nm nanozirconia material is white opaque, whereas Glidewell’s gas-phase-condensated nanozirconia is transparent after compaction.

The future for high-strength esthetic nanozirconia is agglomerate-free sub-5 nm powder. James Glidewell, CDT, CEO and president of Glidewell Laboratories said, "Our continued nanozirconia research efforts, from the fundamental way that zirconia nanocrystals are formed to new sintering methods, will allow us to extend our BruxZir® product life into the next generation of nanocrystalline dental ceramics."

For a closer look at BruxZir Solid Zircoinia, visit www.bruxzir.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, based in Newport Beach, Calif., is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit www.glidewelldental.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, today congratulated Dr. Michael DiTolla, Glidewell Laboratories' Director of Clinical Research and Education, on his 2011 DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Award for "Most Effective Dentist Educator."

The winners of the second annual DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Awards were announced on Jan. 24, with awards presented in 12 different categories. Finalists were selected after being nominated by DrBicuspid.com members, followed by two subsequent rounds of voting, making the winner selection process a peer vote.

Dr. Michael DiTolla is pleased to receive the "Most Effective Dentist Educator" award. Since joining Glidewell Laboratories in 2001, after 13 years in private practice, he has brought a unique perspective to dentistry. Because he works in a laboratory setting, Dr. DiTolla has an intimate knowledge of American dentists and their crown & bridge habits. He uses this knowledge to put together case studies, preparation techniques and clinical videos that shows dentists how to most efficiently handle everyday dental situations.

Dr. DiTolla lectures nationwide on topics ranging from crown & bridge to esthetic dentistry. He also shares his insights as editor-in-chief and clinical editor of Chairside magazine, published by Glidewell Laboratories. Additionally, Dr. DiTolla has a bimonthly column on restorative dentistry in Dental Economics and is a clinical evaluator for CR Foundation.

A 1988 graduate of University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. DiTolla was awarded Fellowship in the AGD in 1995.

To learn more about DrBicuspid and to see a full list of 2011 DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Award winners, click here. For more information on Dr. DiTolla’s lectures, please visit www.drditolla.com.

Glidewell Laboratories is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit www.glidewelldental.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, announced today that the BruxZir® Adjustment and Polishing Set, developed by Glidewell Laboratories’ Director of Clinical Education Dr. Michael DiTolla in conjunction with Axis Dental, is now available for purchase. With the rise in popularity of monolithic zirconia restorations, clinicians will find it necessary to equip their operatories with diamonds and polishers designed especially for the adjustment, polishing and removal of zirconia crowns & bridges.

“The indications for monolithic, solid zirconia restorations like BruxZir continue to increase, and the Axis BruxZir Adjustment and Polishing Set make post-cementation adjustments quick and easy,” Dr. DiTolla stated. “I still remember the first few zirconia-based restorations I had to remove, and how it was nearly impossible with the wrong burs.”

The BruxZir Adjustment and Polishing Set (LS-7579) contains three special Zir-Cut diamond shapes, which help reduce the risk of chipping during adjustment, and two Zir-Cut zirconia polishing cups that finish with a high polish shine. The diamonds may also be used for cutting off zirconia crowns. The kit can be purchased through Axis Dental online (www.axisdental.com) or by calling 800-835-5063.

BruxZir Solid Zirconia was developed by Glidewell Laboratories’ 73-person R&D team. Since its release, BruxZir has gained the attention of the dental community due primarily to its strength and superior esthetics when compared to metal-based restorations for patients who brux or grind their teeth. BruxZir is a Dentistry Today Top 100 Product and Tosoh Corporation, world supplier of zirconia material, has honored Glidewell Laboratories for its revolutionary product innovation.

For more information about the BruxZir Adjustment and Polishing Set, visit www.axisdental.com. Learn about the indications for BruxZir’s clinical use at www.bruxzir.com.

Glidewell Laboratories is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. To view our large selection of products and services, visit www.glidewelldental.com.

Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental lab products and services, announced today that it won three 2010 Townie Choice Awards in the laboratory categories “Crown & Bridge,” “Removable” and “Veneer & High Esthetic.” Glidewell Laboratories is honored to receive the awards, which are issued based upon the votes of the dental community.

The 2010 Townie Choice Awards mark Glidewell Laboratories’ eighth consecutive win in both the Removable and Veneer & High Esthetic categories and its seventh win in the Crown & Bridge category. In total, since Dentaltown first started the Townie Choice Awards in 2003, Glidewell has won 21 cumulative awards.

The Townie Choice Awards were started by Dr. Farran and Farran Media, publisher of Dentaltown magazine, to assist dentists in making product purchasing decisions and are considered the “people's choice” of the products and services available to the dental industry today. Because Glidewell Laboratories puts extensive effort into developing and offering new products and techniques, the lab is a strong proponent of the Dentaltown online community. In fact, the lab often relies on the interactive commentary for feedback on its newest products and services.

Winners of the 2010 Townie Choice Awards were notified of their wins by e-mail Dec. 17, 2010. Registered members of the Dentaltown website and readers of Dentaltown magazine vote to determine the award winners.

Glidewell Laboratories is a privately owned corporation that has more than 40 years of history as a provider of high-quality services and products to dental laboratories nationwide. It has its own 73-person Research and Development team and is the most resourceful dental laboratory in the world. Its newly developed CAD/CAM processing capabilities are recognized as among the most advanced in the industry. For more information on products and services offered by Glidewell Laboratories, please visit www.glidewelldental.com or call 800-854-7256.

Townie Choice Awards and Dentaltown are registered trademarks of Farran Media LLC, Phoenix, Ariz.