A visit to the tooth factory

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Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Nobel Biocare facility in New Jersey along with Dental Tribune International President/CEO Peter Witteczek. Peter and I were among a small group of media representatives selected to participate in Nobel Biocare’s first Dental Media Day, to learn more about the NobelProcera system of CAD/CAM dentistry. All of us in attendance were quite impressed. One of the most dramatic moments came midway through the morning, when — after we had listened to a few lectures and had seen the new software — somebody pushed a button, the giant screen lifted and curtains parted to reveal the manufacturing facility where the crowns and bridges are actually created.

NobelSoftware1I was struck by the fact that Nobel Biocare has the ability to mass manufacture items that are highly individualized. Every crown, every bridge coming off the assembly line is created to unique specifications. And for users of the system itself, things couldn’t be easier. Part of the presentation involved getting participants to design a crown and send it into production. The FedEx man just delivered it … and I must say I think I did a pretty good job. Of course, it helps that it was produced with highly advanced software in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

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