Glidewell Laboratories launches the Glidewell International Technology Center

July 14, 2011, Irvine, Calif.-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 used 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 center was created by Glidewell to provide 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. 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 these technologies into their practices. 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.

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.

About Glidewell Laboratories

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.