Ryan Hamm is the former Editorial Director for Dental Products Report and Digital Esthetics.

Ryan Hamm

	IPS e.max has been known and respected in the dental laboratory world for years now. It’s known for esthetics and clinical dependability and as an increasingly accepted option for a variety of indications. A year ago, Ivoclar Vivadent released a new entry in the IPS e.max line-IPS e.max Press Multi. This multi-shaded all-ceramic material was engineered to provide even better esthetics, using an ingot that mimics the real shade of enamel and dentin even more closely. To find out more about the creation of IPS e.max Press Multi and what led to its invention, we recently spoke with Harald Bürke, an R&D expert at Ivoclar Vivadent who was involved with its development. Here’s what he said about this innovative new product:

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your role at Ivoclar Vivadent, and what part did you play in the creation/rollout of IPS e.max Press Multi? 

	I began working as a development engineer at the all-ceramics department of Ivoclar Vivadent 15 years ago. At that time, lithium disilicate in dentistry was still in its infancy. My task was to mature the material for the press and CAD/CAM technique in such a way that it was suited to meet the needs of the market. After the polychromatic CAD/CAM blocks had been introduced, my bosses discussed the idea of extending this approach to include polychromatic ingots for the press technique. In a small group, we explored various routes for achieving this. At first, nobody could really imagine how we could turn this idea into reality. I sat down and began to design a few straightforward experiments, which I subsequently implemented together with our technician, Vittorio Cadario. We soon had some success.

One year ago this week: Ivoclar Vivadent introduces IPS e.max Press Multi

What were you hearing from laboratory technicians that made you and the team realize the IPS e.max Press Multi would fill a need in the market?

	The people working in product marketing told us the manufacturing processes for crowns had to become faster and easier. At the same time, the esthetic demands continued to rise. While monolithic crowns can be pressed in a short time, they inevitably show esthetic inadequacies, and the individual layering technique is time-consuming and expensive. The 

 crowns present a middle ground between these two techniques. Ultimately, however, they must be able to stand up to a comparison with layered crowns.

What were challenges developing the product?

	We had to find a new method to press the 

. This required us to develop new accessories (wax patterns for sprueing the wax-up to the investment ring, one-way plunger, investment ring base). In particular, the shape of the wax pattern allows the ingot to be pressed correctly whilst providing a true-to-nature shade progression. The development of these components and the transfer to serial production were the biggest challenges of this project. 

The List: 5 CAD features to consider BEFORE you buy

Was there a breakthrough moment where you realized you and your team had come up with something really special?

	The very first press sequences resulted in some really funny shade patterns on the pressed restorations. While some saw this as evidence that polychromatic pressing was not possible, I took it as an incentive to try out different ways. After we were able to prove that our new press method was indeed suitable for producing crowns that show a completely natural-looking graduation of shade and translucency, a project was immediately launched. All the better that the principle can be used for the individual diversity of dental restorations.

Next page: How IPS e.max Press Multi expands the offerings of the e.max line ...

Did the popularity of standard IPS e.max help people understand the new product, or was it a challenge explaining how this new option would improve results?

tried-and-tested high-strength lithium disilicate glass-ceramic

 to implement the principle of polychromatic pressing. This material combines excellent esthetics with exceptional robustness. Technicians can feel this quality right from the beginning when they start working with the material. Chipping is no issue. However, the new sprueing technique requires explanation. When we want to explain why and how the proportions of dentin and incisal material can be individually adjusted, we need to go into depth. However, the application in practice is all the easier for it.

21 CAD tips that will take your work to the next level

What have you heard from labs who have used the product?

	Dental technicians are fascinated by the possibility of pressing restorations that show a graduated transition from dentin to incisal. 

 restorations are easy to achieve and exhibit convincing esthetic properties. Time-consuming manual layering is no longer necessary.

A webinar explaining more details of IPS e.max Press Multi

What have you heard from dentists and patients who have received restorations made with IPS e.max Press Multi?

	The feedback from dentists who have used IPS e.max Press Multi restorations on their patients has been enthusiastic so far. The combination of a monolithic crown (high strength, no risk of chipping) and the esthetics of a “layered crown” has been particularly well-received. Patients are pleased with the fantastic esthetic quality of their restorations and are appreciative of the work done by the dentist and dental lab.

What are you most proud of about the development process for IPS e.max Press Multi?

	It is my task to develop new, innovative products. I can be proud of a job well-done.

Technique: How to cooperatively fix a cosmetic case

How will Ivoclar Vivadent use the lessons learned during this process to continue to innovate in the future?

	If you want to be truly innovative, there is only a little you can take with you from your past experiences. The challenges are always new. I’m glad to work for a company that offers every opportunity for creative development. This is exactly what I studied for. I strongly advise all dental technicians to work with the IPS e.max Press Multi ingots.

For more information on IPS e.max Press Multi, call 800-533-6825 or visit 

Articles

Harald Bürke, R&D expert in dental ceramics at Ivoclar Vivadent, tells Dental Lab Products how the latest in press ceramics, the IPS e.max Press Multi, came together.

Behind the creation of IPS e.max Press Multi

	Zahn Dental has made its name by providing great options for a variety of dental laboratory needs. And as the lab industry has made the shift from traditional to digital, Zahn has expanded its offerings accordingly. DLP recently spoke with Rita Acquafredda, Vice President and General Manager of Zahn Dental, about those shifts. She explained how recent partnerships and new advances in digital technology are helping dental laboratories, and what makes Zahn Dental's product offerings unique.

01. Zahn Dental has announced some significant partnerships in the early months of 2015. Can you tell us more about some of these? 

	As the leading distributor in the industry, our team looks at all products, services and equipment that may add value to our customers. As 3D printing continues to grow, we recently began offering new printing solutions from BEGO USA and 

. We feel these new offerings will help meet laboratories’ diverse needs, and each printer offers different solutions for laboratories looking to enter or add to their 3D printing technology. In addition, we have entered into an exclusive partnership with 

 to distribute BruxZir Zirconia and Obsidian Lithium Silicate, as well as BruxZir™ Anterior. Given the rapidly evolving area of guided surgery, we are also now offering 360imaging

, which enables dental laboratories to penetrate the guided surgery field quickly, more efficiently and with more confidence.

02. When Zahn is considering what next products to offer, what is your selection process? 

	Before we offer new products and services to our customers, our team reviews what kind of impact they will have on the laboratory: Will it improve production time? Does this enhance connectivity to their clients? Can a laboratory now offer more products and services to clinicians?

	To best understand the potential effect of innovative solutions, we organize focus groups and work closely with our extensive education and technical support departments that help us uncover how these new opportunities may improve our customers’ profitability and product offerings.

How have you seen the lab world change in 2015 so far? 

	The dental laboratory industry has seen a huge change in the past few years, and 2015 is no different. Laboratories that have adopted technology are able to offer more products by partnering with production centers, such as Custom Milling Center (CMC). Labs that have increased their production now have affordable solutions for milling and printing in house.

How do you see dental laboratories changing in the rest of 2015? 

	We foresee the need for digital-ready laboratories to continue to grow. As dental practices begin to accept digital impression systems, we foresee the need for properly trained laboratories capable of receiving digital files to continue to grow. The future of digital dentistry is now. Clinicians are just starting to embrace the workflow, and laboratories that have already invested in digital technology will be a valuable resource in the near future.

What, in your opinion, is the main challenge presented to labs by digital technologies? 

	We feel that the main challenge in the digital workflow is support. When a laboratory integrates a CAD/CAM system into its workflow, that is just the beginning of the process. There is an installation, training and learning curve that is different for each laboratory and technician. To ensure our partners get the support they need, we recently launched a specialized North America CAD/CAM technical support team. This team consists of CDTs, RDTs and experienced repair technicians available by phone and email to support laboratories.

Flipping the question: What is one of the main opportunities afforded to labs by digital technology? 

	The main opportunity for laboratories in regards to digital technology is entering at comfortable stages for each laboratory. Not every laboratory can justify adopting all of the technology on the market; it is a process of understanding the benefits of each system and what that technology is currently able to do to improve the laboratory’s workflow. Laboratories can get started by outsourcing to CMC to offer materials they are not able to produce in their lab. When a lab has enough volume, we have trained consultants to advise on printers and milling machines that would make it more profitable, but ultimately the laboratory can continue to follow the workflow that is comfortable for its business model.

How does technology allow labs to better work with GPs? 

	Laboratories that have embraced an open architecture scanner are already equipped to take the next step with their clients. Clinicians are beginning to embrace digital impressions and the need for digital-ready labs that are trained and comfortable with providing support will be in high demand. We feel that clinicians will view the laboratory more as a consultant and partner when it comes to working within the digital workflow, and we are excited about the opportunity of connecting digital-ready laboratories to digital-ready practices.

	In addition to entering the digital space at a comfortable pace, labs that embrace digital practices have an opportunity to find new dental customers. By working with Zahn, customers have a unique opportunity to also benefit from Henry Schein Dental, which not only promotes our brands of digital materials but helps connect our digitized lab customers to these dental customers.

How does Zahn Dental help labs achieve this goal? 

	Digital materials and equipment continue to enter the market at an accelerated rate, and being able to offer materials like Zirlux

 and services from CMC enables our customers to have access to leading products. 

How does Zahn Dental help labs of every size meet the challenges of 2015? 

	We have solutions for every size laboratory. What works for a production lab with 100 technicians won’t work for a one- or two-man lab. CMC is the first step for laboratories that want to access some of the leading materials on the market without making investments in CAD/CAM equipment. CMC can receive traditional models, as well as STL files, help with design services and manufacture the latest materials and custom abutments/bars.

	The landscape in our industry continues to evolve. New products, technology and services are introduced at a rapid pace, and we pride ourselves on making these products available to our customers. We look forward to partnering with our customers as we connect laboratories and clinicians to improve workflow and ultimately improve patient care.

In this 10 Questions article with Dental Lab Products, Rita Acquafredda explains how Zahn Dental works with laboratories to bring the digital workflow to the benchtop.

How Zahn Dental brings technology to EVERY lab

	One of the biggest question marks during any kind of lengthy dental restorative process is the creation and placing of temporaries. These solutions can look 

 good, creating a smile that doesn’t look realistic in the slightest, or they can look just plain bad. They can be fragile, or they can take so long for the lab to create that the term “temporary” seems like a cruel joke. In short: Temporaries can be tricky.

Primotec USA recently introduced a new product that it believes takes the trickiness out of the temporary process. PREMIOtemp is an ultra-esthetic PMMA temporary material that combines five-plus layers of colors into one disc, reportedly giving the restoration the most natural look possible. These gradient discs are composed of special acrylic resins combined with organically modified ceramics for increased translucency and superior mechanical properties. PREMIOtemp is FDA-approved and available in most VITA shades. We recently spoke to one lab about their experience using the material. Here’s what they told us:

 (BVDL) is a large dental lab in Virginia. A full-service lab, BVDL specializes in cosmetics, removables, implants and comprehensive dentistry. The lab was opened in 1976 and is a multigenerational family business. The lab employs 30 technicians and serves about 200 doctors around the United States. The lab also enjoys a close relationship with the 

 that has lasted more than 30 years. BVDL is one of only three Dawson Accredited Labs in the United States and played a role in the creation of The Dawson Academy Accredited Laboratory Association, a group dedicated to identifying the very best full-service dental laboratories in the country.

	A temporary made with PREMIOtemp. Photo courtesy of primotec USA.

	For a lab like BVDL, a product like PREMIOtemp was an obvious choice from the get-go. Like all full-service labs, BVDL had long provided temporary solutions for patients when they fit the workflow. PREMIOtemp was an update of that offering, providing better and more nuanced esthetics to a temporary.

	“Provisionals are an important part of any comprehensive treatment,” explains Buddy Shafer, CDT and president of BVDL. “On a daily basis, we are involved with complex casework, including implants, combination fixed/removable work and severe wear cases. The provisional, or ‘prototype,’ phase is critical in establishing the proper functional and esthetic determinates and the most effective form of lab communication.”

	Because of that, when PREMIOtemp was released in the United States, it was an easy decision for BVDL to get on board.

	“PREMIOtemp is a great material we discovered out of necessity for better esthetics on long-term provisionals,” Shafer says. “Patients want to look good throughout treatment [but] prior to PREMIOtemp being developed, we were limited to monolithic materials. The need for better esthetics in the provisional phase lead us to try the material. The results were outstanding. We’ve been using PREMIOtemp for as long as it’s been available to us!”

	Naturally, there are other PMMA solutions out there. But for cases that need to be highly esthetic, Shafer has high praise for PREMIOtemp.

	“The difference with PREMIOtemp is apparent with the first case,” he says, noting the contrast with other temporary materials BVDL has used in the past. “[There are] no striations in the material. Other multilayer materials we had tried left horizontal striations throughout the restorations, which the doctors and patients would not accept. It simply did not look natural. PREMIOtemp looks very natural.

	“PREMIOtemp is the most esthetic temporary material on the market today,” Shafer continues. “Whenever esthetics is the primary concern, it is our first choice for temporary material.”

	Perhaps because of the strong emphasis on esthetics, Shafer also reports excellent feedback from dental clients and their patients.

	“Doctors and patients alike have responded very well to this new generation of provisional material,” he says. “It feels very natural and polishes easily as the doctors make adjustments to fine-tune the contours to a patient’s detailed preferences.”

	That kind of control and chairside adjustment are designed to make an ideal and beautiful temporary for every patient’s needs.

	Another view of the temporary restoration.

	Additionally, in BVDL’s experience, PREMIOtemp provides a reassuring solution for any patient who might be nervous about the final outcome of their case or worried about appearing edentulous (or having an odd smile) during the course of treatment.

	“PREMIOtemp lets the patient feel comfortable throughout treatment, knowing his or her smile already looks natural,” Shafer observes.

	That kind of comfort is invaluable for any clinician trying to make sure his or her patients know their future esthetics will be assured and helps the patient avoid feeling self-conscious while awaiting the final results of their treatment plan.

	Shafer is also very complimentary of the company and team behind PREMIOtemp: 

. The multilayer PMMA is just one example of primotec’s catalog of products, and Shafer says anyone familiar with primotec’s commitment to innovation shouldn’t be surprised to hear how well the temporary material does with labs, doctors and patients.

	“The entire primotec team has been great addition to our network of restorative partners,” Shafer says. “They are experienced and respond quickly to a rapidly changing marketplace in dentistry. primotec has been a great resource for us and played a key role in our continuing success.”

	With products like PREMIOtemp and a lab doing good work like BVDL, there is no doubt that continuing success will remain for a long while.

For more information about PREMIOtemp, contact primotec usa by visiting 

Buddy Shafter of Bay View Dental Laboratory tells Dental Lab Products what his experience has been using PREMIOtemp temporary material from Primotec USA.

A better way to make esthetic temporaries?

	Amann Girrbach has long been a leading player in the CAD/CAM space. From its equipment to its materials, it’s been involved in the digitization of the lab market since the beginning. To find out why that is, what makes Amann Girrbach (AG) CAD/CAM offerings unique and what we might expect to see from the company in the future, we spoke with Christian Ermer, the head of product management at AG, along with Alexander Wuensche, a dental technician and lab owner who is a regular user of AG products. Here’s what they told us:

Could you explain your roles and how you’re associated with Amann Girrbach? 

 I am Christian Ermer and have been head of product management at 

	In this role, I am responsible for the development of our product portfolio and the introduction of new products. 

 I am Alexander Wuensche. I am the owner of 

 in Miami. I did my education as a dental technician in Germany in a family-owned laboratory and dental office. I was basically born into the dental business. Our lab specializes in complex full-mouth implant reconstructions, all-ceramic and digital dentistry. Besides the laboratory, I speak for Amann Girrbach on national dental conferences and am a consultant in digital workflows and materials.

One of the things Amann Girrbach has done with its Ceramill system is offer a start-to-finish solution. Christian, why has that been a value for Amann Girrbach? Alex, how does such a solution help the lab with its work? 

 For us at AG, offering the highest versatility possible to our customers is at the center of all our efforts. We provide an unmatched range of indications and materials that actually work-all supported and approved by us. What differentiates us from other companies in our industry is that we invest a lot of resources in ensuring 100 percent functionality of the features and products we provide along the digital lab process.

	With this we can guarantee that the product solutions we offer really work at our customer’s lab in every situation and fully support our customers and partners.

	As we offer the complete workflow from scanning to designing and the milling machines, including the complete range of CAD/CAM materials, we can control every single component of it and ensure the optimal outcome. On the other hand, if a customer needs support from us, we deliver a one-stop-service and support no matter what the issue is. We won’t put you in the, what I call, the “referral roundabout” in which you are referred from manufacturer to manufacturer without providing a solution. We have a hands-on, not hands-off, approach.

 If a new product hits the market, AG makes sure it works. We, as customers, are getting a plug-and-play solution, which helps to keep control over the process, and you are ready to [boost] efficiency immediately. You have one communication partner to get support for all equipment and material. This saves time and money when and if help is needed.

One of the terms Amann Girrbach uses to describe the Ceramill workflow is “integration.” What do you mean by that in terms of CAD/CAM equipment, materials and software? 

 For us, integration is a never-ending effort to ensure that every component of our Ceramill system works in an optimal way together. Adding a new indication/feature or material to a CAD/CAM system means you have to adapt many things in the workflow. Let’s take our Ceramill full-denture system, the first completely digital workflow for the production of full dentures. To provide this one-of-a-kind solution, we had to work on every component of our system starting with new scan strategies for our MAP400 desktop scanner, the development of a completely new design module, new milling strategies and burs for the denture base and the adaptation of the denture teeth and last, but not least, two new exchangeable holders. Not to mention a new and bigger wax blank for the base. All this was developed by us and adapted to our system to make a seamless workflow. 

	But this is not limited to our Amann Girrbach world. We offer a fully open system, and connectivity is key for us and our customers. As an open system, we can process every open STL file provided by a desktop or an intraoral scanner. In this case, integration means that we work closely together with major industry partners to provide an optimal connection to the Ceramill system as well as our milling machines and test very thoroughly the outcome on our milling machine with our materials. If we provide the “approved-by-Amann-Girrbach” label, we ensure the workflow works from A to Z easily and reliably.

Alex, how has integration benefitted your lab and helped your workflow?

 I was able to integrate all my digital systems from day one with the AG Ceramill System and even new systems we started working with like different intraoral systems. The support is still from AG because it is the core of our CAD/CAM system. I am able to work with all my systems together without any integration problems and with our clinicians and other lab partners.

Say a lab buys the entire Amann Girrbach Ceramill system. How can you ensure the purchase is future proofed and won’t be obsolete in just a couple of years? 

 As I said, for us, the versatility of a CAD/CAM system is the key to long-term success for our customers and us. A CAD/CAM system is maybe the biggest investment in the life of a lab owner and has to provide the highest possible value-add and ROI. This is only possible if your CAD/CAM system allows you to grow with it by constantly adding new features and indications and provides support and training on it. Let’s take the Ti-Forms solution to mill individual one-piece titanium abutments in our Motion 2 as an example. We added this highly profitable feature in October 2014-almost three years after the introduction of the Motion 2. The only thing our existing customers needed to add was a new exchangeable holder. Everything else was automatically updated for free. There was no need for a costly modification of the machine or even buying a new machine.

 The Motion 2 is upgradable. I started with the first module and was able to upgrade every year when a new module or material hit the market. The blank holder is interchangeable to work with different materials. I am able to mill from wax over zirconia up to titanium and all the materials we are using for our restorations. As far as I am concerned, it is the only machine that provides upgradable hardware.

How do the products Amann Girrbach is continuing to release fit into this theme of integration? 

 Every new product is tested for the full functionality in our system. A huge part of our development process is validation of every component used by the new product or feature. We want our customers to work on their daily business and the things that create profit and not on trying to find a way to make things work for them. If you take our zirconia portfolio, integration means that we do not just throw a new blank into the market and leave our customers alone with the handling and coloring. We offer dedicated and easy-to-use, reliable coloring liquids together with a broad range of manuals, video tutorials and professional courses. We help our customers master new products in their labs and use their competitive edge right from the beginning. 

Speaking of new products-what can you share with us about upcoming releases from Amann Girrbach?

 At AG we are constantly working on more than 30 R&D projects in parallel with a focus on further increasing the versatility of our CAD/CAM products. This fall we will launch more than 10 new products, including a new small scanner, the full-denture system and milling of models based on IOS data. Our most exciting development at the moment is the newly launched Ceramill Zolid FX cubic zirconia. Zolid FX is our completely new super-high translucent zirconia, which was already very successfully introduced to the European market and is now available in the U.S., too. Zolid FX offers, for zirconia, unmatched esthetics, especially for monolithic and anterior restorations. It can be placed up to the molar region and has almost double the flexural strength of lithium disilicate. The customer feedback is overwhelming, and we are currently developing the extension with Zolid FX preshaded blanks. Also, by the end of the year, we will bring our latest member of the Zolid FX family to our customers: Zolid fX multilayer, the perfect material for highly esthetic and efficient monolithic restorations. With this material, you can achieve beautiful restorations without any use of shading liquids or stains. We are really excited about the results of our development, and the feedback of our first test customers proves us right.  

 I got the opportunity to beta test the Zolid FX , FX Preshades and FX Multilayer. It is an amazing product, and I am just waiting for all the materials to launch here in the U.S. to be able to use them. It will change the way we solve difficult cases and our “bread-and-butter” work.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

This fall, our activities are dominated by the extension of our exchangeable holder portfolio.

	With our next update in the upcoming weeks, we are adding several additional exchangeable holders to further increase the versatility of our system. Besides the two holders for full dentures, we will launch a holder for (overnight) milling of 12 CAD/CAM blocks in a row. By the end of the year, we will provide seven different holders for our Motion 2 and will surely not stop there. 

 On my side, I am very happy to know that I made the right decision in investing in the right product and partner. I am looking forward to using all the new products, including new hardware from Amann Girrbach.

Alexander Wuensche and Christian Ermer talk about the Ceramill CAD/CAM system from Amann Girrbach.

How Amann Girrbach Helps Labs With a Fully Integrated CAD/CAM Solution

	As we offer the complete workflow from scanning to designing and the milling machines, including the complete range of 

 materials, we can control every single component of it and ensure the optimal outcome. On the other hand, if a customer needs support from us, we deliver a one-stop-service and support no matter what the issue is. We won’t put you in the, what I call, the “referral roundabout” in which you are referred from manufacturer to manufacturer without providing a solution. We have a hands-on, not hands-off, approach.

Read more: Amann Girrbach's fully digital dentures solution

Next page: What "integration" means to Amann Girrbach

Business news: CAP and Amann Girrbach announce partnership

 world. We offer a fully open system, and connectivity is key for us and our customers. As an open system, we can process every open STL file provided by a 

 or an intraoral scanner. In this case, integration means that we work closely together with major industry partners to provide an optimal connection to the Ceramill system as well as our milling machines and test very thoroughly the outcome on our milling machine with our materials. If we provide the “approved-by-Amann-Girrbach” label, we ensure the workflow works from A to Z easily and reliably.

 As I said, for us, the versatility of a 

 is the key to long-term success for our customers and us. A CAD/CAM system is maybe the biggest investment in the life of a lab owner and has to provide the highest possible value-add and ROI. This is only possible if your CAD/CAM system allows you to grow with it by constantly adding new features and indications and provides support and training on it. Let’s take the 

 to mill individual one-piece titanium abutments in our Motion 2 as an example. We added this highly profitable feature in October 2014-almost three years after the introduction of the Motion 2. The only thing our existing customers needed to add was a new exchangeable holder. Everything else was automatically updated for free. There was no need for a costly modification of the machine or even buying a new machine.

Next page: What's to come from Amann Girrbach

Related reading: How the Ceramill system can help labs of every size

	With our next update in the upcoming weeks, we are adding several additional exchangeable holders to further increase the versatility of our system. Besides the two holders for full dentures, we will launch a holder for (overnight) milling of 12 CAD/CAM blocks in a row. By the end of the year, we will provide seven different holders for our 

How Amann Girrbach helps labs with a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution

	While it’s fair to say that the best work of dental technicians can resemble wizardry, one dental technician in Maryland is fighting her termination by claiming she was called “a witch” by co-workers at Fort Meade, Maryland. 

	Ms. Deborah Schoenfeld, who practices Hinduism and has interests in Wiccan practices, was apparently referred to as a “Hindu witch,” according to sources contacted 

. She was later terminated for using profanity, a charge she disputes. Additionally, 

 she did not have the right to know who her accuser was.

From the new issue: 21 tips to improve your CAD work

letter from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation

 to the commander of Fort Mead provides a laundry list of additional grievances that Shoenfeld has against the Epes Dental Clinic at Fort Mead. They wrote:

In her time at Epes Dental Clinic she was actually and specifically accused of “witchcraft" and "bringing demons into the office." She has been officially advised that she is not allowed to know who her accusers are.

She has been openly disparaged for not having the same religious views as her superiors (evangelical Christian) and being "uninterested in taking part" in Christian rituals or the rampant and rapacious, workplace-based, evangelical Christian proselytizing which is outrageously and comprehensively supported by her former command.

She has been admonished that practicing yoga is “satanic", and will "cost (her) her soul".

She was advised by her chain of command to pray against the recent Supreme Court ruling against same sex marriage, as it is "an abomination to their religion”. (an employee in the office wanted all the civilians to pray against the legalization of same sex marriage at a clinic meeting)

She was chastised for playing Indian music in the workplace as it was "not Christian," while Christian music was commonly played throughout the entirety of this armed forces dental clinic

 that officials are looking into Shoenfeld’s claims. Hopefully it reaches the proper resolution. In the meantime, other dental technicians should be encouraged to continue their technical and esthetic wizardry-before and after Halloween.

In some weird dental news, a former Air Force contractor is alleging that she was accused by coworkers of being a "Hindu witch" and that her meditation invited demons into her.

That's not a witch, that's a dental technician!

	Since its beginnings, Zirkonzahn has been respected by dental professionals worldwide for its approach to quality and its insistence that artistry still matters in the dental laboratory. Founded around a manual design and milling system, Zirkonzahn lept into the CAD/CAM arena with a start-to-finish workflow, all under the hand of Enrigo Steger, MDT and the founder of the company. We recently spoke with Steger about Zirkonzahn's goals, why artistry matters and what we can expect from the company in the future.

Zirkonzahn has been in the industry for more than 10 years now. How has CAD/CAM changed the industry since the founding of your company? 

	In the last decade, the digital revolution in the dental field has taken place. Modern 

 not only enables a quick solution of nearly every problem dental technicians may be faced with, but it also paves the way to an entirely digital workflow. Because virtual planning and designing of dental prosthesis has become an indispensable factor in modern dentistry and dental technology, the trend in dental laboratories goes more and more toward an entirely digital workflow. 

How has the advent of more digital materials changed the dental laboratory market? 

	The appearance of zirconia on the market has had a great influence to the industry. The capabilities that this new material, through the 

, has brought to the dental field have been revolutionary.

How has Zirkonzahn adapted and flourished in the midst of those changes? 

 were with the MAD/MAM machine, the Zirkograph, and through this product, it soon was apparent that this great product that made Zirkonzahn a world-market leader would soon be replaced by digital processing. The key to success with Zirkonzahn is to heavily invest in R&D, which allows us to be at the forefront with new products and product perfections.

, a super-translucent zirconia. How do you feel new materials like this are changing the industry? 

	No matter which product it is, the most important part is to utilize the full potential of the product and provide love to it because where there is love, there is passion, devotion and the willingness to create something good.

What other recent innovations from Zirkonzahn are you most proud of? 

	We have a lot of good products, but it’s not something that I am proud of. It is more a matter of asking, “How can I improve and make those products better?” This is what´s important to me. New products are always exciting as they contribute to the betterment of dentistry. Here, we need to give everything with endless motivation and dedication to advance ourselves and contribute to the industry.

Next page: The advantages of a start-to-finish system ...

Zirkonzahn has a start-to-finish system. What advantages do you feel that offers a dental laboratory?

	We have the complete knowledge about all our products as we manufacture everything in-house, which enables us to pass all of our knowledge on to our customers. This is being done in our 14 educational establishments worldwide. There are no secrets-only new challenges that will be reduced.

What advantages do you feel Zirkonzahn´s CAD/CAM solutions offer compared to similar systems?

	Our CAD/CAM solution distinguishes itself through its complete digital integration.

A new material to change everything: Zirkonzahn's super-translucent zirconia

Zirkonzahn is known for pushing artistry. Why is that a value for you and your company? 

	That´s the education I got. That´s the education I give.

How do you think digital dentistry changes or shapes dental artistry?

	Artistry is a virtuosity from within. The digital dentistry components are only tools to expedite certain steps in the process; it does not create artistry. The user of such tools is still the artist.

Do you think dental technicians will continue to pursue artistry with these digital tools? 

	I believe artistry is within each one of us. Some have more and some have less. I think artistry and esthetic beauties will become more and more important in the future. It will only be a fraction, but it will be the key to success and sustainability.

Zirkonzahn's Enrico Steger discusses his company's commitment to innovation and artistry.

10 Questions: Zirkonzahn's Enrico Steger on artistry through CAD/CAM

 has long been a leading player in the dental CAD/CAM arena. Its scanners are in many workflows in labs around the world, and its software, hardware and network innovations have pushed technology and laboratory work forward. 

Related: 3Shape launches its most recent scanners.

	3Shape recently launched a brand-new entry into its scanning arsenal: the D2000 

. This scanner includes features like all-in-one scanning and a large interior with room for two models and reportedly demonstrates a 40 percent speedier scan time. The D2000’s large interior space is designed to enable dental technicians to capture both the upper and lower models, inserted dies and occlusion information in a single scan. The technology also enables the D2000 scanner to ”see” around dies in the model so there is no need in most cases to remove dies during scanning. 

	Finally, the D2000 scanner also benefits from a process that can eliminate four out of five workflow steps used to scan. This reduction in workflow steps reportedly results in a handling time savings of up to 40 percent for dental labs. Additionally, 3Shape Auto-Occlusion Technology makes the taking of a separate bite scan unnecessary. Auto-Occlusion Technology merges the previously simultaneously-scanned models within the software to create a correct bite.

		Accuracy: 5 μm (ISO) / 8 μm (Implant bar)

		All-in-one scanning: room for two models

Information provided 3Shape. For more inforamtion, contact 3Shape at 

In this article from the October 2015 issue, Dental Lab Products looks at the technology and capabilities of the 3Shape D2000 benchtop scanner.

A scanner that can decrease scan time by 40%

CEREC® 30th (C30) Anniversary Celebration

	CEREC professionals from around the globe have congregated at 

 in Las Vegas for three days of education, keynote speeches and entertainment found at this digital dentistry extravaganza.

	C30 kicks off with general session speeches from some of the foremost thought leaders in digital dentistry, including 

 discussing optimal patient care in the digital world; 

 instructing attendees how to overcome challenging clinical situations related to lithium disilicate; 

 reviewing the proper steps to how prepare, fit and finish CEREC restorations; and 

 delving into the art of creating aesthetics. Breakout sessions will cover a comprehensive curriculum of disciplines, including digital radiography, orthodontics, implantology and much more.

Related reading: Sirona announces updates to CEREC 30 anniversary celebration

	Following the educational speeches, the tradeshow floor opens to a plethora of exhibitors exposing attendees to the latest innovations in chairside solutions and providing endless networking opportunities. Furthermore, participants are treated to  business and leadership speeches made by 

world-renowned life success mentor Tony Robbins

 is set for a live performance on Friday before the weekend culminates as attendees “Party Like a Rockstar” Saturday night at 

	“After many months of preparation and anticipation, C30 has finally arrived, and we’re thrilled with the reception thus far,” stated 

Michael Augins, president of Sirona Dental Inc.

 “Sirona is honored to have the best and brightest in dentistry join us in celebration of three decades of digital innovations that have shaped the dental landscape.”

CEREC professionals from around the globe have congregated at The Venetian® Hotel and The Palazzo® Hotel in Las Vegas for three days of education, keynote speeches and entertainment found at this digital dentistry extravaganza.