Ivoclar Vivadent Harnesses Material Expertise to Drive Computerized Dentistry
The incorporation of CAD/CAM technology to dentistry has been extremely exciting, according to George Tysowsky, DDS, MPH, Vice President of Technology for Ivoclar Vivadent. “CAD/CAM has brought an opportunity for efficiency, productivity, reproducible quality, and an emphasis on streamlining and upgrading communication between the laboratory and the dental clinician."
Innovation is a buzzword at Ivoclar these days. Recognized as a leader in esthetic restorative dentistry, the company has embraced CAD/CAM technology as a major opportunity while “maintaining our role as experts in materials development," Tysowsky says. The company has had an extremely powerful reception from the profession for the speed of productivity, optimum durability, and esthetics associated with IPS e.max®, Ivoclar’s lithium disilicate CAD/CAM material. “Our role today is to continue to upgrade these materials to provide faster milling times, ease-of-use of fabrication, and long-term durability for clinicians and patients," Tysowsky explains.
In its most recent step in this initiative, Ivoclar introduced a material system called IPS CAD-on at the 146th Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. IPS CAD-on incorporates the ability to design and mill two individual components—a zirconia framework and a lithium disilicate veneer—which are combined to provide the benefits of a strengthened veneering material and a solid support mechanism. “You design the final restoration, and the computer mills out two parts subsequently. You adjust them, fuse them, and fire them together," Tysowsky explains. “You’ve improved the strength of the veneering material as well as the support of the zirconia for under the restoration."
As it continues to drive the material end of CAD/CAM dentistry, the company has not lost sight of the human element. “The role of lab technicians is to determine how to use the benefits CAD/CAM presents, such as productivity and reproducibility, and at the same time, maintain their position of expertise in esthetics, occlusion, accuracy of fit, and designing and creating a final restoration," Tysowsky says. "CAD/CAM will improve productivity, and enable the technicians to provide dentists with better restorations."
Reflective of this belief is Ivoclar’s commitment to education for users of its CAD/CAM materials. “With any new technology, it requires time, training, and the ability to incorporate the new technology into the practice," Tysowsky says. “It won’t do it for you—you have to develop the expertise and properly integrate it into your operations."
Ivoclar is there to help, with a variety of courses offered on CAD/CAM. “The response is tremendous," Tysowsky enthuses. “The courses continue to fill up, people are participating. Yet we also understand that live courses are only one avenue, and providing alternative media support is critical today." This is why Ivoclar offers a host of instructional DVDs and CDs, webinars, and other forms of electronic communication/education. “These media options are as important as individual live education to many of our customers," Tysowsky notes. More information on these and other offerings may be found at the Ivoclar corporate website: www.ivoclarvivadent.us.
Looking down the road, Tysowsky affirms Ivoclar’s commitment “to continue to be material leaders in CAD/CAM technology. We are further exploring different methods of improving esthetics, the speed of creating a final restoration, and the ease-of-use in both chairside and laboratory settings." The company will move forward with a vision for innovation and anticipating tomorrow’s needs—the same combination of values that has delivered the successes of today.
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.
175 Pineview Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
800-533-6825
www.ivoclarvivadent.com
mail@ivoclarvivadent.com
