Welcome to The BRIDGE, an online network from LMT dedicated exclusively for members of the Dental Laboratory community.
LMT sponsors the three largest dental laboratory trade shows in North America. There's no better venue in the dental laboratory community for one-on-one conversation, hands-on product demonstrations, education and effective comparison shopping.
View Upcoming Shows
LMT's Job Board is your newest resource for career opportunities. Remember to check back regularly because new positions are continuously added!
Browse Jobs
The more than 100 attendees at Sirona Dental’s inLab Summit in Savannah were eager to test drive the new inEos X5 scanner featuring robotic technology and learn about the latest version of design software, inLab SW 4.2.
LMT explores the in-house business model which provides technicians with the ultimate opportunity to be an integral part of the dental team and experience the satisfaction of interacting with patients—minus the challenges of business ownership. Plus: a dentist offers his perspective on the value of having technicians just down the hall.
Want to receive Industry news directly to your inbox?
Click HERE to create your account. Be sure to check the Announcements checkbox at the bottom of the page to receive LMT’s monthly newsletter.
If you already have a BRIDGE account and would like to opt-in to receive the LMT Insider, email Meg Snyder.
LMT’S LATEST SURVEY DATA SHOWS that digital technology continues to revolutionize the way laboratories work: more laboratories than ever—55%—now have digital fabrication equipment in house. And of those who have invested in the technology, a whopping 94% say they’re either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the equipment they’ve purchased. Here’s at look at what they have in their labs (see left image).
For more results from LMT's Digital Technology Survey, click here.
Laurel Obstgarten
Steve Webster, CDT
Christian Lalario
Darrell Moore
Juan Gonzalez, CDT
Miguel Guimarães Serôdio
Glen Smith, CDT
Elias Melengic
Rick Knecht
Peter Mc Lean
Jin Kim
Lisa Crawford, CDT/TE
Carlos Codina
Lionel Purushothaman, DDS
Brian Binnie
Feng Chen
Leslie Yamamoto
Carlos Lupercio, RDT/CDT
Marcia Siggins Jonas
Chris Timoteo
M. Ali Tabatabaei, CDT/TE
Johnson Hu
Llandro Abadilla, CDT
Evelyn R Valle

Connectivity — the buzz word of this new Century — has LMT's full attention. It's been the driver of our brand from Day One. Now, with the introduction of our interactive online community network, LMT created a virtual LAB DAY environment 24/7. "The BRIDGE" does what a printed piece cannot do: create immediate, interactive experiences!
South Carolina Dental Laboratory Association
Dental Lab Owners Association of California
DENTSPLY Prosthetics
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.
American Student Dental Association
Oregon State Denturist Association
Aspen Dental
Sirona Dental, Inc.
3Shape, Inc.
Custom Automated Prosthetics (CAP)
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Amann Girrbach America
NADL, NBC, FDLT
Heraeus Kulzer
Keating Dental Arts
California Dental Association Foundation
Whip Mix Corp.
American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
- May1-31
2013 Ceramco® Course: The Next Generation Provisional System - Radica™
DENTSPLY Prosthetics · May 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 · Technical Education Center · Seminars/Clinics - Jun19-21
Introduction to Complete Dentures A-Z
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · June 19th - 21st · Seminars/Clinics - Jun19
Full Contour Waxing Workshop
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · Wednesday Jun 19 · Seminars/Clinics - Jun20-21
Porcelain Fused to Metal Workshop Featuring IPS InLine
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · June 20th - 21st · Seminars/Clinics - Jun24-25
2013 Ceramco® Course: Creative Ceramics
DENTSPLY Prosthetics · June 24th - 25th · Technical Education Center · Seminars/Clinics - Jun27
Ceramill Demo Days
Amann Girrbach America · Thursday Jun 27 · Seminars/Clinics
-
The Dentist's Perspective: It's a Family Affair For the Zentist
LMT Communications, Inc. · Labs & Profiles · Jun 2013
In 2008, Dr. Sonny Torres Oliva was profiled in the New York Times for his services and the spa-like environment in his mid-town Manhattan, NY dental office. Dubbed the "Zentist," his operatories feature...See more soft lighting, gently vibrating dental chairs and New Age music. Patients—some of whom are celebrities—are routinely treated to hand and foot massages, hot towels, hand lotion and lip balm during their hygiene appointments. Two floors down from this stress-free office is his in-house laboratory that employs five technicians, including Dr. Oliva's father, Sergio, a former lab owner, and his father's cousin. Oliva grew up in his father's laboratory and worked as a technician for years before earning his dental degree in Manila in 2000 and his prosthodontics degree from New York University in 2003. Because of his background, he's passionate about creating the most lifelike restorations possible. He spends much of his day between the office and the laboratory, checking on work and consulting with the technicians. "My goal is to practice 'Artisinal Dentistry' and to perfect handcrafted works of art uniquely specific for each patient. I put my heart and soul into every single step," says Dr. Oliva. Oliva and the technicians look at each restoration as a team effort and the office and lab are networked so Dr. Oliva can take a picture and call a technician's extension to have him look at a contact, for example, and decide if it needs to be adjusted while the patient is still in the chair. The technicians do all of Oliva's work—mainly high-end esthetic cases and implants—as well as casework for about 10 other dentists. This arrangement greatly benefits Dr. Oliva's practice. "Having a laboratory within arms' length of my dental operatory gives a unique dimension to my practice. It spurs creativity and gives us the ability to provide a much more personalized result and quick turnaround time that's essential to a lot of our busy clients," he says. "And having a team who understands these principles is key to earning my patients' trust." **Click here to read [Partnership and Patient Interaction: The Payoff for In-House Technicians](/articles/partnership_and_patient_interaction_the_payoff_for_inhouse_technicians)**
-
Partnership and Patient Interaction: the Payoff For In-House Technicians
Becky Tyre · Labs & Profiles · Jun 2013
LMT explores the in-house business model which provides technicians with the ultimate opportunity to be an integral part of the dental team and experience the satisfaction of interacting with patients--minus...See more the challenges of business ownership. Plus: a dentist offers his perspective on the value of having technicians just down the hall.
-
InLab Summit 2013: Sirona Launches New Scanners and Design Software
Kelly Fessel Carr · Industry News · Jun 2013
> "Ten years ago, we could mill copings in five or six materials with inLab; now we can fabricate copings, crowns, bridges and abutments in more than 30 different materials. That's how far inLab has come!"...See more said Norbert Ulmer, Director of Laboratory CAD/CAM at Sirona Dental, Inc., during his opening remarks to kick off the company's inLab Summit 2013 in Savannah, GA, on May 31 and June 1. Featuring a dynamic group of lecturers and multiple hands-on sessions, the Summit offered the over 100 attendees an information-packed event and the opportunity to network and share business strategies and technical tips with other inLab users. It also marked Sirona's official U.S. launch of four new products: **Robotic Scanning with the inEos X5:** This new five-axis model and impression scanner features a robotic arm; the model or impression is mounted on a magnetic plate that attaches to the arm which then moves to ensure quick, automatic positioning and scanning. "Robotic scanning is unique to the inEos X5," explained Jonathan Hill, Sirona's Marketing Manager. "The robotic arm makes the scanner faster, more precise and easier to use because there's less hands-on time for the user." The inEos X5's Point and Shoot feature gives you the flexibility to scan only a section of the model or impression, also saving time. The auto focus feature renders a scan precision of less than 12 microns*. The unit offers single or multi-die scanning, physical impression or model scanning, and has a large field of view (~30mm x 40mm). **Software Upgrade, inLab SW 4.2:** inLab users have been eagerly awaiting the latest-generation software, inLab SW 4.2, because of many new features including its virtual articulation feature that allows you to take all dynamic contacts into account when designing restorations, including excursive, protrusive and centric movements with corresponding occlusal relationships. "The virtual articulation is my favorite part of inLab SW 4.2; it reduces the overall finishing time for both the laboratory and the dentist," said Presenter Jay Black, CDT, Manager, Winter Springs Dental Laboratory, Winter Springs, FL. "We did a test in my laboratory and it saved three minutes per crown; the chairside time savings are even greater." The software also has new smile design features including: - Move Jaw Tool that allows you to open a bite per your dentists' Rx. - Incisal Variation Tool to create textures quickly and easily for anterior teeth. - Virtual Try-In that enables you to import a 2D photo and generate a 3D photorealistic image of the patient's face. In addition, the upgrade now allows users to fabricate multi-layer bridges over implant abutments in addition to single-unit restorations, and the stack milling software improves nesting capabilities for more efficient block usage. **10-Minute Speed Sintering of Copings with the inFire® HTC speed furnace:** Launched last year, the inFire HTC speed furnace can accommodate up to two crucibles so you can sinter 50 to 60 units—from single copings and crowns to nine-unit bridges—per cycle. "Because of the sintering time and the fact that the unit cools down quickly, using the furnace greatly evens out the workflow in our laboratory. We're able to load and sinter four to five times a day rather than just at night," said Presenter Lindy Sikes, CDT, Sikes Dental Studio, Charlotte, NC. Now, users with the current inFire HTC speed furnace can upgrade their furnace for both speed sintering and metal sintering capabilities; speed sintering enables you to sinter one or two copings and crowns in 10 minutes. The inFire HTC speed furnace is compatible with many of the materials that can be milled in the inLab and inLab MC XL units as well as DENTSPLY Prosthetics' new Crypton™ cobalt chrome block. Sintering Crypton requires an argon gas attachment. **Economical Intraoral Scanner, Apollo DI:** This new intraoral scanner features touch-screen technology and a small, lightweight wand. With a price tag of $19,750, it's also the company's most economical intraoral scanner. "The Apollo DI is price positioned for labs to purchase it for their dentist-clients to encourage them to get involved, or more involved, in model-less digital dentistry. Labs can recoup the cost through the savings on model making, delivery services and scanning labor," said Ulmer. "The lab owner can use the scanner's Direct Connect feature to ensure that the dentist only sends cases to his/her laboratory," said Ulmer. * Guideline VDI/VDE 2634 (Association of German Engineers/Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information technologies e.V.) page 2, "Optical 3-D Measuring Systems Optical Systems Based on Area Scanning." ### Material Partners ### Also at the Summit were several of Sirona's material partners who helped sponsor the event: 3M ESPE, The Argen Corp. and DENTSPLY Prosthetics. Through infiniDent, Sirona's central production center, inLab customers can access restorations made of Sirona materials as well as 3M's Lava™ Ultimate and Argen Digital Captek, NobleBond and Noble-Crown NF. In addition to Crypton, DENTSPLY Prosthetics previewed Celtra™, a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate that can be milled with the inLab MC XL and will be available July 1. Presenter Chad Rogers, Technical Director of Professional Dental Laboratory Corp., Elkhart, IN, called Celtra "a game changer. It comes in five shades and two translucencies, mills nicely and doesn't need to be crystallized. Unglazed, the strength is 210 MPa and it gets stronger with staining and glazing, 375 MPa." A key theme throughout the two-day event was the critical importance of shifting to digital dentistry in order to compete and survive in today's marketplace. The overwhelming sentiment: If you haven't gone digital, you're going to be left behind. Several presenters shared their powerful stories of reinventing their laboratories and reinvigorating themselves through digital technology; watch LMT's August issue for more coverage.
-
Life Outside the Lab: Time Off is For the Dogs
Becky Tyre · Labs & Profiles · Jun 2013
When he's not in the lab, Paul Fink is in the dog house, but there's nowhere he'd rather be. Breeding and showing champion Yorkshire Terriers is a passion for Paul, Owner of A Dental Creation in Vincennes,...See more IN, and his wife, Barbara, who also works in the lab. Longtime Yorkie lovers, the Finks have several show dogs and the demands of caring for and showing them keep the duo busy. To become a champion, show dogs must compete in numerous shows each year in order to accumulate points and, since shows are held across the country, the hobby requires a lot of weekend travel. Luckily, their small, two-person, home-based operation gives them the flexibility to plan their caseload accordingly and even work longer hours in a four-day workweek so they can travel on Fridays. At the shows, the dogs are judged according to the individual breeds AKC standard—including appearance and gait—and showing dogs requires significant training and grooming. For an AKC Champion, like the Finks' Murphy Mac, the AKC standard includes coat length. Grooming consists of two hours a week for bathing and wrapping his hair in rice paper to avoid breakage, as well as daily maintenance to ensure his hair is protected. "Grooming is great one-on-one time," says Barbara. "It's a nice way to enjoy your dog." One of the Finks' favorite aspects of their hobby is acting as the dogs' handler during the show and they spend several hours each week training their Yorkies and doing exercises to acclimate them to the noises and crowds of the show environment. But Paul and Barbara consider their dogs members of the family first and show dogs second. For instance, when one of their champions had a litter of puppies but couldn't nurse them, the couple took turns bottle feeding the five newborns around the clock for three weeks. All five survived, including two soon-to-be show dogs, and just celebrated their second birthday. "I can't imagine our life without a Yorkie in it," says Paul. "We plan to do this until we can't get down on the ground and work with them anymore!"
-
The Best in the West!
LMT Communications, Inc. · LAB DAY · Jun 2013
The California sun was shining bright, but more than 1,600 laboratory owners, managers and technicians came indoors to join LMT for our 23rd annual LAB DAY West on May 10-11 in Garden Grove, CA. The largest...See more dental laboratory show on the west coast, Lab Day West features one day of shopping and two full days of education. Special thanks to the attendees, manufacturers, suppliers and educators who help make LAB DAY West such a success year after year. To view photos from the show, click here. To see if you're one of the lucky 49 door prize winners, click here. For more information on LAB DAY West 2014, click here.
-
Straumann® CARES® Launches New CARES® X-Stream™ Material Choices and Zerion® HT Functionalities
Straumann USA · Product News · June 14, 2013
As part of our continuous effort to provide dental laboratories with best-in-class products, we are happy to announce two enhancements to our CARES portfolio that provide laboratories more flexibility
-
2nd Candulor Art of Denture Competition Announced
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · Miscellaneous · June 06, 2013
Since 2001, Candulor AG has organized the KunstZahnWerk® , "Art of Denture" Competition culminating with awards and participants' cases being presented at the IDS in Cologne (Germany). In 2012,...See more Candulor USA held the 1st North American "Art of Denture" Competition with technicians from the US and Canada participating. All finished cases were presented in Chicago during 2012 LMT Lab Day. All submitted incredible work, with Arian Deutsch (Surprise, AZ) placing 1st in the Overall category (see case pictured above) and Jack Edwards (Fullerton, CA) placing 1st in the digital documentation category. Now it's time for the 2nd North American "Art of Denture" Competition. Contestants from the USA and Canada will have the opportunity to display their proficiency in the field of Removable Dentures by making a fully removable upper and a lower supported by locators. The finished cases will be judged by a jury of professionals, and the competition will culminate with an awards presentation in Chicago at the 2014 LMT Lab Day. Candulor and CAMLOG will provide, free of charge, the full patient case including the appropriate plaster models, Candulor Composite NFC+ denture teeth, Camlog implant parts, and a detailed patient case history. The jury will be composed of prosthetics specialists, including a university professor, master dental technician, an implant specialist, and a Candulor specialist. Winners will receive their prizes at the Candulor press conference in Chicago during 2014 LMT Lab Day. All finished cases will be prominently displayed on the LB Promenade at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel. Prices for the best work overall category: 1st prize: $ 1,000 2nd prize: $ 750 3rd prize: $ 500 Participants are encouraged to submit step-by-step documentation in order to win additional prizes in the categories of "Digital Documentation" and "Hardcopy Documentation". Select step-by-step documentations will be submitted to select Dental magazines for publication. Registration: Registration deadline: September 30th, 2013. To register, click here: http://www.kunstzahnwerk.com/kzw-north-america/englisch/2014/registration.html For more information click here: http://www.kunstzahnwerk.com/kzw-usa/englisch.html Or call 800.436.3827 for more information Sign up now and show your know how!
-
Amann Girrbach America Opens New Interactive Training Center
Amann Girrbach America · Industry News · May 23, 2013
Amann Girrbach America (AGA) is proud to announce the opening of its new state-of-the art training center in Charlotte, NC. The facility, also home to the US headquarters since late 2012, features the...See more AGA Learning Lab, a fully-equipped working laboratory, showcasing the entire Ceramill CAD/CAM Suite plus Amann Girrbach's well-known line of Model Management products. The goal of the new AGA Learning Lab center is to provide multi-faceted training programs, which include introductory to intermediate courses, plus advanced programs where new users can receive intensive, multi-day instruction on how to utilize their specific equipment. This unique facility can host multiple laboratories at a time, providing individual workstations to attending lab personnel. The center will also host ongoing educational seminars on the latest advances in digital dentistry, featuring industry experts and thought leaders. Round-the-clock phone and email-based support along with remote computer access that gives technicians the ability to troubleshoot or demonstrate techniques remotely, is available on premises. Amann Girrbach's facility is also home to the Finance and Administration offices, US Marketing and Sales, Technical Specialist Team, Online Help Desk and Distribution Center, all designed to provide expanded sales, service and support to customers. Located less than 10 minutes from the Charlotte International Airport, the center is easily accessible to laboratories throughout the US. To learn more about the complete Ceramill CAD/CAM System or AGA Learning Lab, visit www.AmannGirrbachAmerica.com or call 1-800-851-3719.
-
IPS E.max Restorative System Receives AACD Celebration of Excellence Award
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · Industry News · May 13, 2013
Ivoclar Vivadent Recognized for Excellence, Innovation, and Leadership in Cosmetic Dentistry
-
Millions Learn How to Maximize Their Smile With IPS E.max®
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc. · Industry News · May 13, 2013
Media Tour and Web Feature Gain National Consumer News Attention
-
Whitney Falkowski answered a question
Hi Chris,
We do our best to try and identify the problem prior to having you send in your furnace for...(more) -
Dental Lab Owners Association of California · Dana Point CA, United States
SAVE THE DATE 10th annual CAD/CAM Expo and Symposium November 15-17, 2013 Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort...(more)
10th International DLOAC CAD/CAM Symposium & Expo
Celebrating a Decade of Digital, we are returning to the Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort November 15-17, 2013. Exhibition Hall and Presentations on Friday and Saturday. Special programs on Sunday. Plan to join us there!
-
Daxton Grubb · Owner
Has anyone had any success with Monster or Careerbuilder sites looking for technicians?
-
LMT Communications, Inc. wrote an article
Digital Technology Survey
LMT Communications, Inc. · LMT Surveys · Jun 2013LMT's latest survey data shows that digital technology continues to revolutionize the way laboratories work: more laboratories than ever—55%—now have digital fabrication equipment in house....
-
Jessica Birrell, CDT posted about LAB DAY West 2013 and IPS E.max
Thank you LMT for the great meeting this year at Lab Day West!
I want to thank all whom attended my...(more)
Featured Topics
-
CAD/CAM
CAD/CAM dentistry (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing in dentistry), is an area of dentistry...See more utilizing CAD/CAM technologies to produce different types of dental restorations, including crowns, crownlays, veneers, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges, dental implant restorations and orthodontic appliances.
-
LAB DAY
LMT's LAB DAY trade shows have been bringing buyers and sellers together in a friendly, informal atmosphere since...See more 1985. There's no better venue in the dental laboratory community for one-on-one conversation, hands-on product demonstrations, education and effective comparison shopping.










































