article, I would like to highlight a product and 2 secondary uses I have found that make it a good replacement purchase for a popular discontinued light cure gel on the market.

When I heard Triad® Gel was being discontinued by Dentsply Sirona, I began looking for a substitute. I picked up a tube of a GC product instead, and I have started using it in place of the soon-to-be unavailable gel.

The replacement product is a light cure, indirect composite, GC GRADIA® Plus, specifically the GRADIA Light Body Clear (GLB-CL) from GC America. I use 2 additional optional products from GC America that enhance its use (Figure 1).

I believe that it is the technical foresight into details that helps drive case success.

For example, I always add a smooth fingernail ledge to allow for easier removal of an attachment retained overdenture (Figure 2). Many patients receiving this form of treatment tend to be older and/or have compromised dexterity. The ledge should be small, and unobtrusive but provide an effective way to engage a fingernail. It’s not anything earth-shattering, but it adds up in concert with other things I do.

I complete and finish the overdenture prior to adding the ledge in the GRADIA composite resin. You can also add it before processing in wax, but it always seemed to get in the way when finishing the borders. Some labs may also prefer to add the ledge post finish in self-curing resin, but I avoid that method as it stains over time and looks unsightly.

Identify the placement location of the ledge. It’s most effective when it is located directly adjacent to the attachments you wish to aid in disengagement (Figure 3).

Selectively air abrade area for ledge placement. I use a piece of paper to stencil the area which prevents abrading the area outside ledge placement(Figure 4).

Coat the area with a small amount of GC Acrylic Primer and cure for 20 seconds using GC StepLight, Labolight DUO in step mode, or other suitable VLC light source.

Lay a horizontal bead (7 mm by 4 mm) of GLB-CL parallel, but well below (2-3 mm) the denture border. This placement allows for any comfort adjustments that may affect the border length and the subsequent removal of the ledge. Cure for 20 seconds using a light source specified above 

Using a carbide of choice, flatten the top half of the bead creating a ledge (Figure 5b).

Use a 3M Scotch-Brite™ mini or similar brush to remove any sharpness created by the flattening top of the bead.

Coat with OPTIGLAZE from GC America or polish using the preferred method (Figure 6).

Name Identification Placement in Dentures

With inkjet, print name in a font legible and small enough to be unobtrusive. I use a #8 font size.

Cut out the name, leaving a bit of white border for contrast, coat with OPTIGLAZE, and cure 20 seconds under a StepLight, Labolight DUO in step mode, or another suitable VLC light source (Figure 7).

Cut a slot to accommodate the size of the name and air abrade. Dictate depth by thickness of area where name is to be placed 

Coat slotted area with acrylic primer and cure for 20 seconds under step light.

Precoat bottom of slot with GLB-CL, place name, position, and overlay GLB on top to assure complete coverage. Now cure (Figure 9).

Smooth and finish area over the name. *Coat with OPTIGLAZE and cure (Figure 10).


Articles

Uses for GRADIA Light Body from GC America in 2 secondary processes. 

Use GLB-CL for Secondary Cases

Any dental laboratory looking to offer zirconia or titanium implant-to-crown at an affordable price suited to fit any budget.

Each TRU conical and PUR internal hex implant comes bundled with all of the restorative components for clinicians and labs to complete the case at a flat rate of $95. Dental labs have better control on the service cost and can pass the savings on to bring in new customers.

With the TRU and PUR bundle, lab technicians receive an Analog, a Straight Abutment or TiBase, and a Prosthetic Screw. The TRU conical and the PUR internal hex implants are ISO quality and are manufactured in the US. They are engineered to be substantially equivalent to the leading conical and screw-vent connection implants in the market.

This conical hex and internal hex connection implant system offers reduced implant-to-crown cost.

5Ws* TRU & PUR Implant System

This compact all-in-one milling machine also includes a dust collector, water pump, and compressor and can be installed anywhere without space restrictions.

Any dental laboratory looking to upgrade its milling system

CRAFT 5X uses 1-step milling, which is designed to reduce production stages by milling the abutment and suprastructure at the same time. It allows for efficiency by milling the abutment during the sintering of the zirconia bridge. The CRAFT 5X is also designed to improve accuracy by preventing errors that can occur during scanning. Lab technicians can choose between dry type and wet type for flexible workflows suitable with most materials. In addition, this unit features a touchscreen and built-in computer and its software has a user-friendly interface.

CRAFT 5X is a simultaneous 5-axis machine that mills on X, Y, and Z-axis rotating blocks 360 degrees in clockwise and counterclockwise movements. This allows for excellent fits without restrictions on the shapes of prostheses. This unit is compatible with both wet and dry milling and features waterproof sealing protection intended to increase the machine’s longevity. Despite its compact size, the CRAFT 5X delivers milling speeds with low vibration for precise milling. Its closed-loop system corrects external disturbances automatically where the feedback element is always present, which is designed to create a more reliable and accurate milling mechanism.

This all-in-one milling machine is designed to reduce production stages and improve accuracy.


5Ws* Craft 5X Milling Machine

creating a beautiful smile lies with the lab technician’s finishing touches. Thus, the debate of glazing versus polishing continues.

John O. Burgess, DDS, MS, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Gordon Christensen, DDS, PhD, MSD, founder and CEO of Practical Clinical Courses, cofounder and CEO of Clinicians Report Foundation, and a practicing prosthodontist, have extensive experience and knowledge regarding diamond-polished surfaces versus surface glazing on ceramic restorations.

Numerous studies have successfully proven the tissue response to glazed versus polished porcelain is significantly different.

 Glazed zirconia will have more material and antagonist wear than the zirconia that was polished. 

The surface glazed layer will have significant loss and result in an abrasive surface. This roughness on the surface will begin to erode the opposing teeth, giving a chiseled appearance. In contrast, polished zirconia is wear-friendly to the opposing teeth. The polished zirconia does not fracture like the glazed layer and takes on the appearance and characteristics of a file with a beautiful finish. As the studies are extensively unveiling, the requests for polished occlusal surfaces with no surface glaze continue to increase.

Initially, when Z-Shine Diamond Polish was announced to the lab technicians as the 1-step high-luster, shine-finishing diamond polish, it was met with skepticism. The standard diamond polishing process has a minimum of 2 smoothing steps, then use of a felt wheel on the broad surfaces, followed by the final burdensome step of cleaning the polished units. The challenge came for me when I got to the occlusal surface anatomy. This part was difficult and took more time than I expected, compared to applying surface glaze and firing. Dental Creations, Ltd.’s Z-Shine Diamond Polish has simplified the process for all technicians.

I am confident in Z-Shine Diamond Polish because it is the best I have ever used. When I was beginning to experiment with this diamond polish, I found that it works best by either dipping the polish in a small bowl of water or using a water spray to keep the surface wet. Now, every time I go to add a high-luster polish on an IPS e.max from Ivoclar Vivadent or milled zirconia after the contacts have been completed, I only need a No. 11 soft bristle brush wheel, Z-Shine Diamond Polish, and a slight amount of water to keep the surface wet to obtain the beautiful finish.

Today, dental ceramic materials are much different. This polish was specifically designed for today’s materials. I realized it when I was able to get the mirror shine on the labial surface of a maxillary central in 15 seconds and it only took 2 minutes to put a complete high-luster shine on a full contour molar that included the occlusal surface anatomy as well.


A unique quality of Z-Shine is that, if you want to create a specific surface patina, all you need is a fine diamond bur. Also, when you use a No. 11 soft brush wheel, Z-Shine will polish the surface without obliterating the fine surface detail of the porcelain. Dental Creations sells a kit with the polish, and it includes a small felt wheel to assist in obtaining a mirror finish on the surface porcelain.

Z-Shine facilitates a radiant shine without overpolishing the surface, leaving a tooth enamel surface feel. For example, Z-Shine can be used to do the final polish on a milled zirconia crown with no surface staining or glazing (Figure 1). Also, the layered lithium disilicate laminates on teeth Nos. 6 to 11 (Figure 2) are not surface glazed. To achieve a natural surface luster finish on a lithium disilicate or zirconia restoration, use the No. 11 soft brush wheel in the kit in conjunction with the Z-Shine.

Teeth Nos. 6 and 7 (Figure 3) are single crowns with layered zirconia using VITA VM9 all-ceramic veneering porcelain, followed by surface finishing with the No. 11 brush wheel that is included in the Z-Shine kit. In the same figure, the bridge on teeth Nos. 8 to 11 is a full-contour zirconia/anterior high translucent without glaze. The lower restorations on teeth Nos. 22 to 27 are layered anterior porcelain feldspathic jackets that are finished with Z-Shine.

The layered lithium disilicate restoration on tooth No. 10 (Figure 4) matches the natural teeth next to it, thanks to the Z-Shine Diamond Polish. Once the surface luster you decide is obtained, the Z-Shine can be rinsed off quickly with a toothbrush and water. I polish all zirconia and lithium disilicate with Z-Shine Diamond Polish from Dental Creations, Ltd.

Unquestionably, polishing is in the best interest of the patient. Polishing rather than glazing is the superior means for final touches to restorations, resulting in a beautiful smile and a happy patient.

1. Brunot-Gohin C, Duval JL, Azogui EE, et al. Soft tissue adhesion of polished versus glazed lithium disilicate ceramic for dental applications. 

. 2013[29(9):e205-e212. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2013.05.004.

Polishing rather than glazing is the superior means for final touches to restorations for this author, who polishes all zirconia and lithium disilicate with Z-Shine Diamond Polish from Dental Creations, Ltd.

How To Achieve a Beautiful Smile Using Polishing for Final Touches

| information provided tfg Payment Solutions

tfg Payment Solutions Platform for Laboratories

Online, with a payment card industry (PCI)-compliant, secure A/R platform that is automated and integrates with other back-end platforms such as QuickBooks.

Whenever collecting, processing and tracking customer payments via automation are needed.

Laboratory accounts receivable/collections and payment processing are typically an expensive,labor-intensive monthly task, and the lack of PCI-compliant security results in higher than necessary credit card processing transaction fees. Drawing from over 2 decades in the dental laboratory space, tfg Payment Solutions created an all-in-one collections and payment processing platform built specifically for dental laboratories. The platform brings all components of A/R and collections activities into one spot, automating payment requests, batch processing, tracking and easy reconciliation. Dentists can have their own sign-in dashboard, enabling secure click and pay simplicity, and the Reward-A-Payment feature lets labs entice clients to pay via ACH rather than credit cards.

 Created with security and efficiency in mind and guided by dental laboratories’ input on what tools are needed to effectively execute A/R and collection activities, tfg Payment Solutions delivers a PCI compliant secure digital vault that reduces liability and risk. Banks reduce processing fees when this level of security is achieved, thus saving labs a significant amount of money by utilizing the platform. Processing is seamless, whether dentists use credit card, debit card or ACH electronic check/transfer. The platform supports digital signatures to reduce the likelihood of disputed payments and chargebacks, and offers flexibility and choice to the dentist via their easy-to-use dashboard.

Save time and money on payment processing while making it easier for clients to settle their bill.

5Ws* tfg Payment Solutions

Dental ceramics have been the focus for Rafael Santrich, CDT, throughout his career, which stretches back to the 1990s. Santrich has used numerous ceramic systems and materials and developed esthetic techniques and workflows such as the Scoop Technique. In the early 2000s, he founded VM Lab Technologies in Aventura, Florida, which now has 9 employees as well as a small teaching center.

“I’ve been doing esthetics, always, always,” he says. “This is my main focus esthetic cases, custom cases, and we do a lot of hybrids.”

A technician who is comfortable pioneering new workflows and employing new technologies such as photogrammetry imaging of implant cases, Santrich says he was skeptical about 3D printers when they began to be employed in dental laboratories. He only started using the technology at his laboratory 2 or 3 years ago.

“At the beginning, I didn’t believe in 3D printing technology because I always heard the materials are not stable. So I never got involved 100% with it,” he says.

The first printer he purchased for his lab didn’t always meet his expectations. Santrich says solid models were fine, but when it came to printing models for implant cases requiring as much precision as possible, he’d find the analogs would not seat completely. He would have to adjust the printed models, which made work more complex and time-consuming. Santrich eventually found better results outsourcing model printing to a larger lab with a large-scale printer. He was happy with the results of the handful of models he’d outsource each month, but he still preferred analog impressions and models.

Earlier this year, he added Ivoclar Vivadent’s PrograPrint 3D printer to his lab. Santrich says he is trying a variety of applications for the printer, and it is producing results he’s happy to use. Models produced with his previous printer didn’t meet expectations, but the PrograPrint models provide a good fit for implant analogues and deliver when it comes to resolution.

“The quality is really nice, allowing me to see very good details,” he says. “There is no need to make adjustments and accuracy of fit is right on.”

Santrich also is using the PrograPrint to produce wax-ups for pressing IPS e.max restorations. He likes having the freedom to allow the software to attach the sprues or to choose the contact points himself. Although the printed wax material does shrink a bit, the workflow for printing, cleaning, and then pressing with the wax parts helps eliminate any negative impact. Santrich likes that the wax remains stable until it is cleaned and cured, and as long as it is pressed within the next 2 hours he’s able to get the printed accuracy in the pressed ceramic.

“Once we press, it’s really good,” he said. “It prints thin margins, which is really important today with noninvasive dentistry, and that is something that some mills can’t produce, so that level of precision is really important.”

The print-and-press workflow Santrich is employing with the PrograPrint is a growing part of his workload. The self-described “really, really picky” technician says the PrograPrint’s production quality is meeting his expectations. Santrich says the printer adds efficiencies to his lab, but no matter how good the technology gets, an experienced technician is always the most important part in meeting each case’s unique challenges.

“I think it’s a device that helps us to be more predictable and faster, but [the technology won’t] replace us,” he says.

With the PrograPrint in his lab, he is able to speed up veneer and similar cases by digitally designing and printing the wax-ups and then having his waxing department check for quality and invest the ring, which saves a significant amount of time. His workflow takes into account the 2-hour window of time post curing, so they print the cases overnight in order to clean, cure, and press the next morning.

For Santrich, the PrograPrint is a printer with the accuracy he demands. He’s continuing to develop and refine his workflows and finding ways to use the printer instead of his mills.

“I was skeptical about having a big machine [such as] that in the lab, but now it’s worth it,” he says. “We are experiencing the advantages. Right now we’re super busy.”

How the PrograPrint 3D Printer from Ivoclar Vivadent is meeting the requirements to work in Rafael Santrich’s lab.

A 3D Printer Providing the Precision Labs Require

a high luster on finished dental restorations, dental stain and glaze systems can be applied to crowns, bridges, and veneers. Many stains and glazes are clear liquids that are brushed on to a restoration and then must be fired at specific temperatures to take effect. Generally, applying a stain or glaze is the last step of processing a restoration in the laboratory.

Staining provides a natural tint to blend in with surrounding dentition while adding natural characteristics to the tooth surface. Glazing produces a smooth, glossy texture to the restoration, which helps prevent plaque and bacteria from adhering to the tooth surface. Both are suitable for use in either dental laboratories or chairside CAD/CAM restorations and are generally applied in similar ways.

Here is a look at several stain and glaze systems.

The Finishing Touch

Slideshows

Stains and glazes give restorations a lifelike, realistic finish.

On February 2, 1993, television weatherman Phil Connors traveled on assignment to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual shadow-sighting ceremony of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog said to predict whether or not to expect an additional 6 weeks of winter. That year, however, Connors found himself stuck in a seemingly never-ending time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day. The only way for him to end his ever-recurring day was to learn from his poor life choices and make positive changes.

During the pandemic, each day of 2020 may have felt like a version of Connors’ Groundhog Day. But unlike the movie, dental labs were able to apply the lessons they learned sooner rather than later.


In the early days of the pandemic, labs were forced to shut down. And although their work is necessary, the unpredictability of the situation led to anxiety about the future of some of them. Happily, however, those who were able to weather the storm saw business waiting for them upon their reopening. Even better, some saw even more business.

“We finished last year out with a surprising 12% over annual targets, that included a 2-month shutdown, with July 2020 being one of the biggest months in Absolute history,” Jack Marrano, CDT, director of signature prosthetics at Absolute Dental Services, says. “Currently, we are seeing an impressive trend of much of the same, finishing out January 2021 26% over target and on track to a record sales year at Absolute. I believe dentistry is still very much in part a luxury, and attribute the record sales to the patients who did not go to Europe this year but always wanted veneers. Many reports were from offices stating that large cosmetic cases have been walk-ins and not linked to hygiene.”

Others were able to take advantage of the unexpected time off to fine-tune their businesses.

“Looking back now, being shut down was a blessing in disguise,” David Turpin, owner of Spartan Dental Lab, says. “It allowed me to work on some projects that were pushed to the side, because being busy, production, and helping clients always took top priority. So the shutdown helped grow my business in a positive way. I was able to evaluate processes and procedures to improve how we would run the business when we reopened. Taking a step back really helped the overall health of my business.”

When his lab reopened, Turpin saw increased business.

“There was an uptick in certain products,” Turpin says. “Products like night guards and repairs—a ton of repairs, but this was expected seeing how our clients weren’t seeing patients for a little over 2 months.”

For more information on this topic, read the April 2021 cover story in 

For Ben Godfrey, an application engineer at Axsys Dental Solutions, what was going to be an exciting new business venture became an abrupt career detour.

“During the month of January 2020, I had been preparing to purchase my own equipment to start a B2B outsourcing facility with the savings I had put away over the years,” Godfrey says. “When COVID-19 hit, I got cold feet. I didn’t sign the papers and didn’t order the equipment. Instead, I used my savings to pay my bills; in July I took a new job to try and salvage some scrap of a life from this debacle and I landed at Axsys Dental Solutions. They were willing to let me work remotely, so I have been doing support calls by remote ever since. The 15 years of CAD/CAM knowledge that I have are now not going to waste.”


Although the pandemic threw a curveball at a lot of industries, dental labs were already in a state of flux.

“The traditional business model was already changing, pre–COVID-19,” Bennett Napier, MS, CAE, executive director of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL), explains. “One of the biggest trends could be the faster progression from traditional impressions to digital impressions, which mitigates some of the concerns relative to infection control in a COVID-19 environment.”

Observing proper infection control protocols was always important, but the pandemic has led to an increased focus.

“A renewed understanding by employers and technicians on proper infection control and general safety standards and protocols is now top of mind. Adherence will be the norm instead of a perspective that such standards are not just best practices and guidelines, [but] rather federal regulatory requirements,” Napier observes.

At some labs, COVID-19’s “new normal” meant employees found themselves taking on new duties.

“I was worried, because I did have reduced staff when we were getting back to production,” Turpin says. “My dad and I were forced to help in areas where we would not normally be working. We were also training each member of our staff to help with tasks they weren’t used to doing before. Because of the reduced staff, we did extend our time schedules and ask for more time on cases that we normally wouldn’t have.”

The federal government extended a helping hand to businesses with the paycheck protection program (PPP), a $953 billion business loan program established through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020. The act’s goal was to help certain businesses, self-employed workers, sole proprietors, some nonprofit organizations, and tribal businesses continue paying their workers through low-interest private loans to cover payroll and other costs. The 2020 program ended on August 8, but was restarted on January 11, 2021.

Many dental labs successfully availed themselves of PPP loan opportunities.

“In the spring of 2020, the percent of NADL member labs that applied for the first round of PPP was significant,” Napier observes. “And results indicated [that of] those that applied, over 85% received funding. That program was extremely helpful to many labs to bridge a gap, given their dental client base was, in some cases, shut down for 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the states of operation of their core client base.

“Some labs did meet the qualifications for a second draw…of the PPP that launched in the close of 2020,” he continues. “However, the percentage of labs applying is much less than those [who applied] in the first round in the spring of 2020. A smaller percentage of labs applied for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.”

A lab’s size doesn’t appear to have had any effect on how well the lab fared during the pandemic.

“No data indicate that one size of lab fared better than the other,” Napier observes. “A lot came down to what cash reserves the lab had on their balance sheet, access to existing lines of credit, and access to or success in applying for programs such as the PPP. However, from a percentage standpoint, NADL has received more calls from smaller labs [1-10 employees] seeking counsel on buy or sale processes.”

Over the past 15 years, many dental labs have consolidated or closed. In 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 7855 dental labs in the United States. In 2019, there were 5701. By the second quarter of 2020, 5522 labs existed. COVID-19 may help hasten even more closures.

“The BLS market trends relative to lab consolidation clearly have sped up the pace of market consolidation,” Napier says. “The 2020 year-end figures will be available around June 2021. It would not be surprising to see 2020 reflect 750-900 labs closing or being acquired due to the economic impact of COVID-19.”

Looking ahead, the COVID-19 vaccine is a concern for many. NADL has lobbied for dental lab technicians to have the same priority in the vaccine line as dentists and other health care providers, with some success.

“NADL participated in a coalition letter in December 2020 seeking guidance from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]to ensure dentists and allied personnel, including dental laboratory technicians, were deemed to be in the first tiers of the vaccine line,” Napier says. “The CDC, in late December, did include ‘technicians’ in their report. Unfortunately, each state has its own plan on vaccine rollout, so even dentists in some states are still not eligible to get the vaccine, given state supply. However, NADL has found a number of states where dental laboratory technicians have been able to obtain their first vaccine due to a combination of factors. [As mentioned,] the CDC report and definitions of health care personnel…includes ‘technicians’, and, if a technician is working in a state where dental laboratories are regulated, that has been helpful to get them in the front of the line.”

Based on recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent panel of medical and public health experts, “...health care personnel be among those offered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines. This includes all paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.

“This recommendation pertains to paid and unpaid health care personnel working in a variety of health care settings—for example, acute care facilities, long-term acute care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, home health care, mobile clinics, and outpatient facilities, such as dialysis centers and physicians’ offices.”


Another glass-half-full aspect to the pandemic is how technology has stepped up to rescue all sorts of businesses. For instance, 2020 became the year of Zoom meetings. Physicians and, to a certain degree, dentists were able to see patients via telemedicine or teledentistry, while dental labs saw a greater adoption of CAD/CAM workflows.

“The severe restrictions brought [about] by the COVID-19 pandemic have positively impacted the adoption of 3D-printing workflows in dentistry,” says Stijn Hanssen, a sales, marketing and applications manager at 3D Systems Corporation. “In the early days, due to the stay-at-home orders, people were not able to visit their dentists, which left many doctors and technicians with time on their hands. They pivoted their businesses and used some of that time to educate themselves on the digital options to transform their practices, labs, and clinics through webinars and other virtual events offered by 3D Systems and other companies. Training and education is of the utmost importance for anyone changing their procedures to incorporate digital steps, and this ‘slow down’ proved to be the perfect occasion. They took advantage of the available information, mostly free of charge, from the comfort of their homes.

“With this new knowledge, more practices have incorporated digital into their workflows,” he continues. “The adoption of digital workflows, which begins with digital impressions, has gained popularity. Once the impression is taken digitally, 3D printing becomes a logical next step in the workflow. More digital scans result in more models to print. The application of 3D-printed models has significantly grown since the start of the pandemic. Moreover, the printing of try-in dentures and overdentures, surgical guides, and splints can be done without the need of a model. Patients are benefitting from less chair time and fewer office visits. In times of social distancing, and minimizing direct contact [with] people being so important, this proves to be very beneficial for dentists, technicians, and their patients.”

Some labs have expanded their digital infrastructure to respond to the growing demand.

“Even in these uncertain times the sale of 3D dental printers has hardly been impacted,” Hanssen says. “We even see labs purchasing a second or third printer to increase production. When more impressions are taken digitally, more parts need to be printed by the lab, growing the total volume. Generally speaking, we believe the adoption of 3D printing technologies was already high in dental laboratories. Since the start of the pandemic this has only increased further.”


But it isn’t just the lab embracing digital technologies. Doctors, even those who were formerly reticent to do so, have started gravitating toward digital tools, such as intraoral scanners.

“I have seen an increase, within the last 10 months, in intraoral scans,” Turpin says. “Some dentists that didn’t want anything to do with intraoral scanning are now requesting more information. They want information on which one would work best with our workflows here at the lab to be a streamlined process.”

And that interest has been a welcome move for Turpin.

“It’s definitely a good thing,” he says. “We’re able to cut down on shipping costs and initiate the production process faster. On the dentist’s side, it’s easier for infection control purposes. We’re also not transporting impressions.”

Those workflow changes can be encouraged by the lab, but must be initiated by the dentist.

“I believe the majority of the doctors implementing digital workflows are doing this mainly on their own,” Hanssen says. “They recognize the advantages of using this digital technology to minimize patient contact, improve hygiene, and in general offer a better treatment to their patients. Labs that were already able to receive digital files and had included CAD software and 3D printers in their workflows haven’t had problems in supporting their doctors with their move to digital.”

Infection control has changed both in-house and when visiting client doctors.

“Everything from new disinfected packaging for outgoing cases to custom shade appointments, many protocols have been put in place,” Marrano says. “The most notable is the disinfection throughout the lab using hypochlorous acid. Many studies have been done on this nontoxic agent and its strength is many times stronger than bleach. Every surface in the entire laboratory is treated using hypochlorous acid 4 times a day with the aid of a fogger.”

For relationships that persist in which lab technicians must have any sort of physical contact with a doctor’s office, whether going in person or accepting physical impressions, interactions have necessarily changed.

“At first, some of my employees were kind of nervous, especially my office staff that handles the incoming impressions,” Turpin says. “We’ve optimized the isolation and disinfection protocols of incoming impressions. Before COVID-19, it appeared [that] some dentists [didn’t] spray their impressions with a disinfectant before they…put it in a safety bag. Now I’ve seen more and more cases arriving in safety bags with a liquid in the bag.

“When I go to an office, I have to follow protocols,” he continues. “I have to either call or text someone in the office that I’m there to help out. When they allow me to come in, they’ll take my temperature. Some offices, depending on the procedure, have asked me to wear a gown, N95 [respirator], and a face shield in the patient rooms. These protocols take a little more time, but it’s all to keep everyone safe. It’s a nice feeling to know they trust me as the technician and still welcome me in the office to help.”

“I never used to really engage with the dentists at any of my previous employments; however, more dentists are now looking to labs for support than ever before and on a whole new level,” Godfrey points out. “I am seeing many labs get absolutely inundated with work because the doctors, too, are playing catch-up to their many patients who needed dental work over the lockdown periods. I don’t expect this to change, either, because there are also a lot of labs that couldn’t survive lockdown or a reduction in business and went out of business. The remaining labs will be swamped for a long time, as doctors prep to run in-house milling and printing facilities or adopt in-house techs to run them.”

Within the lab, however, Godfrey sees a lot of the workflows remaining as they have been.

“In terms of lab workflows, nothing should really have changed from what should have been normal to begin with (and was normal at the labs I worked at),” Godfrey says. “Every case should already have gone through disinfection protocols, and lab workers should have already been wearing gloves and masks to avoid the silicate dust in the air from model grinding and divestment procedures.”


The business of dental labs has changed because of the pandemic, but so has the personnel side.

“All staff have their temperature scanned immediately upon arrival. Masks are mandatory, with technicians being spaced 6 feet apart or greater with plastic barriers placed between them,” Marrano says. “Technicians are encouraged to wash their hands regularly.”

“I expect many labs will have gone through a terrible phase of restructuring of personnel, or limiting COVID-19 exposure through shade appointments, now done digitally—which is not ideal, but still workable,” Godfrey adds. “Limiting exposure by requiring the 6-foot rule is difficult to implement, but still workable for the larger labs that may already have to shift work in place.”

In spite of the best faith efforts to avoid transmission, some labs have been affected by COVID-19.

“I had 3 individuals, including myself, test positive,” Turpin says. “One individual is one of my delivery drivers. My office staff did an amazing job stepping up to help fill the gap. They would alternate each day helping run routes. This teamwork made it so it so we weren’t struggling with the absence.”

In another example of making lemonade out of lemons, Turpin saw his illness as an opportunity.

“Now, when I tested positive, we had to change a lot, fast,” he says. “It was a challenge at first, but I was able to work from home. So I built a computer that is powerful enough to handle our design software, and I would pull reports from our management software to see what needed to be designed. I would design it and send it back to the lab and they would complete the rest of the production steps. It actually worked out very, very well. I never thought in a million years I could stay home for as long as I had to.”

Those changes persist, to the benefit of his business.

“My goal is to stay home at least once a week, because during that time, I had fewer distractions at home—surprisingly, because I have 2 toddlers,” Turpin says. “I actually get more work done when I stay home. I am able to accomplish more administrative tasks and work on the business at home compared to when I’m at the office. Without distractions, I’m able to focus on sales, marketing, and completing the important tasks to advance my business along.”

Like other businesses, dental labs have felt the impact of the pandemic.

“Everyone had, and still has to, adapt to the rules and restrictions that are in place globally,” Hanssen says. “Traveling has been almost impossible since March 2020, so we have found new ways to connect with our partners and customers. While nothing can replace the value of being at a trade show to physically show products and workflows to potential customers, webinars and social media are now the most important communication channels. In addition to keeping communication open, these new ways of communication have additional advantages. For example, even if a webinar is not attended at the scheduled time, there is an opportunity for it to be viewed later. Additionally, transitioning an event to virtual from in-person also expands the reach. Now we have the opportunity to interact with a broader base of people, and collaborate with them to transform their digital dentistry workflows.”

For a while, dental lab owners and technicians may have felt like they were living in their own version of Groundhog Day. But, like Phil Connors, they can view coming out at the end with optimism and encouragement.

Says Hanssen, “While we are happy with how we’ve been able to pivot during the pandemic, I assure you that we can’t wait to meet everyone again in person soon.”

Survival strategies and lessons learned in the past year when everything changed for everyone.

COVID-19: 1 Year Later in the Dental Lab Industry

| information provided by Aesthetic-Press, LLC

What: APVolution S Color Key Shade Guides

Every dental practice and dental laboratory looking to unlock the mystery of shade communication while simplifying the shade-matching process and increasing the success rate of the restoration.

Every case can benefit by choosing a shade with the material the technician is working with. The APVolution S Color Key Shade Guides allow you to choose a shade with a realistic thickness of indicator, as well as choose the right kind of indicator in conjunction with the stump shade that comes closest to the patient’s shade.

These guides enable improved communication between dentist and patient chairside, making true color selection possible. Other benefits include: higher success rate with less redo rate; ability to select matching ingots before case begins; improvement over traditional shade guides that mostly only offer shade selection in 1 opacity, missing a big part of the color issue; and the ability to choose matching opacity or translucency: MT, LT, HT, HT +.

 With the APVolution S Color Key Shade Guides you can see the shade before you start the case. The design of the shade guides shows a thickness of 0.9 mm at the incisal edge, about 1 mm in the center of the indicator, and around 1.3 mm toward the cervical or neck of the tooth. These thicknesses are realistic for a technician to match a shade, as they reflect the average thickness of a crown. The shade guide offers 4 different translucencies or opacities. Using the patient’s stump shade, the technician can choose which ingot is most suitable to match that shade.

A shade guide designed for efficiency through simplicity for better outcomes.

5Ws* APVolution S Color Key Shade Guides

It was about 6 years ago when Ben Topaz and his Golden Ceramic Dental Lab (GCDL) really started to take advantage of technological advances to change the way his team served its clinician clients.

As digital dentistry experienced a boon led by improved results, reliability, and more affordable options, GCDL shifted to relying more on technologies such as scanners, mills, and 3D printers.

“We’re really focused on digital, that’s where the industry is going,” explains Topaz, who owns the full-service lab located in Prospect Heights, Illinois. “We feel that’s why we keep on growing 25% to 30% a year, because we’re really pushing the whole digital concept—everything from digital dentures to everything milled, receiving scans from any available scanner out there. We’re really pushing that envelope as much as we can.”

Topaz opened GCDL in 2006, before most of today’s technologies were readily available to small labs. For years, it was Topaz and just 1 to 3 additional employees performing all the lab work with traditional methods. But that changed dramatically about 6 years ago when scanners, mills, and 3D printers became better options.

“Our biggest growth started when all this technology became not only available, but affordable and reliable,” he says. “Printers have not [been] reliable until the past 2 ½ years. We didn’t want to really step into something at that time that was not going to improve our quality.”

With technology leading the way, the lab has grown to nearly 40 employees working in a 10,000-sq ft facility. Topaz and his team have spread the word and the benefits of digital dentistry to their clients, which has helped boost business. Another lift has come recently with a breakthrough in materials, namely Zirlux Transitions from Zahn Dental, a transitional layered zirconia formulated to mimic a natural appearance, without compromising strength.

“We’ve been evolving, and pushing our doctors toward digital on their end [and] our end and improving our workflow,” he says. “The whole point of all this is improving your workflow and your results. That’s when Zirlux came into play. We started playing with it 5 to 6 months ago.”

The lab liked the results it received after using Zirlux Transitions and made a complete change to the new layered zirconia 3 months ago.

“One aspect was [that] we lowered our inventory by almost 30% [as] with Zirlux we can achieve the strength and the esthetics,” he explains. “Instead of having separate pucks for high translucency and different pucks for strength, we now have 1 puck that covers both, so we’ve lowered our inventory.”

But the biggest benefit, according to Topaz, comes in the time the lab saves.

“We most importantly reduced our labor time because every time you change a puck you need to pull a puck out of inventory, you need to nest it, and you need to put it in a machine, and pull another one out of the milling unit,” he points out. “So now, if you have 20 A2s to mill, you throw them on 1 puck instead of 3 different pucks and 3 times to nest and 3 times to enter the machine and stop the machine. So our production went up, and our labor and our inventory went down.”

Although the lab has saved time, increased production, and reduced its inventory, the biggest gain comes from delivering restorations that will keep clinicians happy and coming back for more cases.

Topaz says Zirlux Transitions delivers and his clients have noticed.

“We are thrilled with the results. We do a lot of full mouths over implants here, and those bridges were always questionable with full-mouth, milled, 1-piece bridges over zirconia, because you had to maintain strength. So we lost a lot of transparency in the material,” he says. “Now, with Zirlux, we’re actually getting nicer results because we can still mill them as full arches and get strength, and we’re not losing any of the translucency. That was the biggest change for us.

“The results are what they say [they are]. It still has the strength that we gave customers before, we just have better material now that gives the esthetics as well. The response [has been] fabulous. This is a no-brainer for a lab that wants to increase productivity and get better results.”

Zirlux Transitions from Zahn Dental is helping this lab get great results while increasing production and lowering inventory and labor time. 

Deliver Strength, Esthetics, and a Reduction in Time

A look at some of the recently announced products from the dental laboratory industry.

DLP April 2021 New Products

It’s safe to say that over the course of the past decade 3D printing has advanced to the point where the technology is not only a vital part of many modern dental laboratories but a foundation for the future of the industry.

Perhaps the ideal technology for meeting the needs of dental labs, 3D printers allow for rapid production of small, customized parts with a high degree of detail and accuracy. With different printing systems capable of printing in wax, polymers, ceramics, and metals, the technology is already able to meet most of the needs of dental labs when it comes to the production of dental prosthetics and the various parts and pieces needed to fabricate them.

But a 3D printer is one of the most versatile technologies in the dental laboratory industry. These systems are limited only by their build volumes and material options, and even with those limitations, there are numerous other applications for 3D printers that might be of interest to dental lab professionals. Here are 5 other things you can print on your lab’s 3D printer.

5 Other Things to Produce With Your Dental 3D Printer

A 3D printer is one of the most versatile technologies around, and these systems can do a lot more than produce dental models and restorations.

Dental Lab Products April 2021