If the staff members at Renstrom Dental Studio need something done, they call Brian Nagle.
While Nagle mainly focuses on the lab's CAD/CAM restorations, he can pitch in wherever he's needed in the laboratory. "I'm able to do a lot of different things—trim dies, waxups, technical troubleshooting," says Nagle, who joined the lab 11 years ago. "I don't have a typical day. I'm all over the place."
Nagle cultivated his menagerie of skills by working closely with Owner Rick Renstrom, whom he considers his mentor, and looking for learning opportunities whenever possible. "Brian puts so much energy into learning everything!" says Ruth Iverson, Operations Manager. "Whatever we need him to do he does with 100% of his ability. He is always willing to learn, always ready to give a little bit more."
This enthusiasm is why Nagle is such an asset in the lab's CAD/CAM department and he is now proficient in scanning, designing, milling and 3D printing using a variety of systems. "Digital technology fascinates me and I think it's amazing that we can use it to make teeth," he says. "It motivates me to keep learning everything I can."
That's one reason he's working towards a digital fabrication certificate at his local community college. While the courses aren't dental related, the projects are similar in nature since he uses CAD software and 3D printers to design and build a variety of parts. "CAD/CAM is advancing rapidly and any type of additional knowledge is going to help me improve my design skills and ultimately my lab work," he says. "I can't picture myself doing anything else."
