Pioneering Digital Dentistry: How Glidewell Technology Empowers Practices and Elevates Patient Care

For more than half a century, Glidewell has pushed the boundaries of dental technology to improve access to quality care. As a leading architect of digital dentistry, we’ve built a vertically integrated, digitally powered open platform that functions as the operating system for modern dental practices — a foundation that delivers the speed, freedom, and predictable outcomes practices need to thrive.

When founder Jim Glidewell, CDT, began optimizing design standards for predictable results, he saw a future where digital technology would transform production. By 2007, when Glidewell received its first digital impressions, that vision was taking shape. His foresight laid the groundwork and helped spearhead the digital revolution.

Over the past two decades, Glidewell’s teams of scientists, engineers, and developers have driven major advances in materials, software, and hardware. Today, most labs claim digital capabilities. But there’s a difference between adopting something and driving it.

As the acknowledged leader among U.S. dental laboratories, Glidewell is unique in its depth of experience, vertical integration, pace of innovation, and volume of data — derived from millions of successful cases — that fuel ongoing improvement.

Your choice of lab partner affects every part of your practice: turnaround times that keep your schedule running smoothly, restoration quality that earns patient trust, and operational efficiency that protects your bottom line. Clinical results and business results go hand in hand.

While many labs can make acceptable crowns, Glidewell works to simplify treatment, improve outcomes, and reduce costs, with expert support when you need it.

This article looks at how Glidewell’s digital technologies continue to lead the industry, with real benefits for dentists and patients. It also examines the problems with labs that market digital capabilities but lock practices into closed systems or produce inconsistent work — mistakes that hurt both patient care and practice profitability.

By the end, you’ll see not only why Glidewell pioneered digital dentistry, but how we continue to define its future, and why that matters for your practice.

With its early acceptance of intraoral scans, Glidewell began revolutionizing how impressions were handled and processed. Early scanners lacked the ease and precision of today’s devices, but the promise was clear: eliminate the inaccuracies and delays that came with physical impressions and stone models.

For a time, Glidewell worked to engineer its own intraoral scanner, hoping to accelerate progress on both the scanning and chairside milling fronts. Constrained by the legacy technology it had acquired as a starting point, and tangled in a web of patents, the company eventually abandoned that effort — though the knowledge gained would prove valuable just a few years later.

Meanwhile, Glidewell was already integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into crown design, using algorithms built on its industry-leading volume of restorative cases to optimize and automate the creation of dental prosthetics. This wasn’t a gimmick. It marked a fundamental shift, reducing design errors and ensuring restorations that fit seamlessly with natural contacts and occlusion — consistently, case after case.

Glidewell became the first lab to produce a physical restoration generated entirely by AI, a milestone that demonstrated the potential of machine learning to extend human expertise. In fact, Glidewell’s use of generative adversarial networks (GANs) to produce a patient-specific restoration has been recognized as perhaps the first application of physical AI in any field, not just dentistry.

Combining its development of CAD/CAM materials, hardware, and software into a single, interconnected ecosystem allowed Glidewell to launch its glidewell.io^™ In-Office Solution in 2018. Chairside dentistry had existed in other forms, but the glidewell.io solution simplified the restorative design phase with one-click proposals, enabled the milling of fully sintered zirconia to eliminate oven processing, and provided built-in lab support. This combination proved transformative, effectively putting a miniature, AI-powered lab in the clinic.

A year later, in 2019, Glidewell unveiled its first cloud-connected, fully automated production line — nicknamed the “BruxZir Factory.” This engineering marvel reflects Glidewell’s commitment to investment and innovation. The nearly hands-free facility ensures consistent production with high-precision tolerances and exceptional turnaround times — three days standard, or as little as 21 hours for expedited delivery.

As of 2026, Glidewell processes roughly half a million restorations each month through a fully digital, AI-powered, vertically integrated manufacturing operation. While would-be competitors patch together third-party solutions, the integration of Glidewell’s system ensures that every step — from scan to final polish — is optimized for clinical excellence.

For dentists, this means technologies that streamline workflows and improve outcomes, reducing the need for adjustments or remakes. Patients get restorations that are durable, esthetically pleasing, and comfortable.

Glidewell also uses the latest 3D printing technology extensively, particularly in fabricating occlusal appliances for managing bruxism, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, or headaches and migraines. The company has even developed smart wearable technology for sports mouthguards, and is working to bring that technology to other oral health appliances.

Glidewell’s early adoption and continuous refinement of purpose-built digital technologies help dental practices find and maintain their competitive advantage. How? By delivering submission flexibility, true production speed, proven quality, clinical support, and real return on investment.

Some so-called digital labs insist on closed systems. Under the guise of a “free” intraoral scanner, these labs require specific equipment and a minimum monthly lab fee. This rigidity doesn’t just limit treatment options, it forces you to adapt to a specific digital workflow determined by the lab — whether it fits your clinical preferences or not.

Glidewell takes the opposite approach. We accept files from any scanner you own, whether it’s a high-end model from a major brand or something more budget friendly. Still work with physical impressions? No problem. Glidewell digitizes them in-house with purpose-built CT scanning technology, skipping stone models and integrating these cases directly into its AI-assisted design pipeline. This flexibility means seamless submissions, regardless of where you are in your digital journey.

For dentists, this freedom lets you choose tools that fit your practice’s needs and budget without compromising quality. Experiment with new scanners or stick with trusted ones, all while tapping into Glidewell’s advanced processing. Patients get shorter chair times and fewer visits, since accurate digital submissions mean fewer adjustments and minimize remakes. Need to pair an occlusal appliance with a crown? No need to call the patient back. Hybrid workflows let Glidewell deliver both at the same appointment, using digital precision to provide comprehensive care.

Closed models at other labs often hide costs — mandatory upgrades or compatibility issues that delay cases. Glidewell’s model lets you evolve at your own pace, making digital adoption accessible and sustainable. This isn’t just convenience. It’s a strategic advantage that keeps your practice agile and patient focused.

Speed is the lifeblood of a modern dental practice. Patients expect quick results, and delays erode trust or disrupt your schedule. Many digital labs promise fast turnaround times but deliver inconsistently, bogged down by outsourced processes or inefficient workflows.

Glidewell redefines what’s possible. Standard in-lab time for most crown and bridge cases is just three days, with 80 percent of cases returned within four business days. Need it faster? The Next-Day BruxZir^® Zirconia delivery service returns a finished crown in under 21 hours — ideal for emergency restorations, time-sensitive patient needs, or filling missed crown appointments with a restoration that’s ready to seat. Want to deliver same-day crowns that rival lab quality? The glidewell.io™ In-Office Solution, with its AI design proposals, no oven wait, and full lab support, lets you restore cases in a single visit.

This speed translates to better patient experiences. A patient walks in with a fractured tooth and leaves with a durable, esthetic restoration the same day. Or you deliver a crown the next day instead of managing longer-term temporaries. Glidewell’s technology makes these scenarios routine. Dentists get optimized schedules that allow more patients to be seen, faster cash flow, and higher practice profitability.

What sets Glidewell apart is an AI-powered vertically integrated ecosystem that automates design and milling, including a 3-stage QC process, minimizing human error while maximizing efficiency. Competitors often lack this integration, relying on fragmented supply chains that introduce variability. Glidewell’s approach ensures reliability — you can promise patients quick, high-quality results without hesitation.

Quality isn’t an afterthought at Glidewell; it’s engineered into every process. Most labs outsource key components like materials, software, or milling, creating dependencies that lead to inconsistencies. When a vendor changes a zirconia formula or a software update glitches, your restorations suffer. This lack of control results in unexpected delays or higher remake rates, frustrating both dentists and patients.

Glidewell’s vertical integration minimizes these risks. The company develops and manufactures its own zirconia materials, AI design software, production hardware, and robotic automation. State-of-the-art Southern California facilities run 24/7, using machine-vision dimensional analysis, cloud analytics, barcode tracking, and redundant systems to maintain consistent quality control and case tracking.

For clinicians, this means predictable outcomes. Restorations arrive with exceptional fit, strength, and esthetics, reducing chairside adjustments. Glidewell’s AI-powered software ensures tight margin tolerances within 50 microns, roughly the width of a human hair. The company even produces a 3D-printing denture resin with antimicrobial properties to help preserve overall patient health.

Patients notice the difference: fewer sensitivities, better function, and smiles that last. Compared to labs with piecemeal operations, Glidewell’s model delivers consistency that protects your reputation. No disruptions from supply chain issues, just reliable, high-quality dentistry that supports your clinical goals.

Adopting digital technologies can be daunting, especially with labs that offer minimal support beyond a basic portal or chat function. These surface-level resources leave dentists navigating complex tools alone, leading to underused systems and subpar results.

Glidewell provides one of the most comprehensive continuing education ecosystems in the industry, delivering more than 72,000 CE units in 2025 alone. From streaming content on Glidewell TV to interactive webinars, on-demand videos, in-person workshops, and national symposiums, the company shows its technology in action. Choose the formats that fit your learning style, from online modules to hands-on training.

This support builds clinical proficiency. Dentists gain confidence in digital workflows, leading to better case planning and execution. Patients benefit from more informed care. As a true continuing education partner, Glidewell’s ecosystem supports long-term growth, helping your practice thrive in the digital age.

How does Glidewell’s digital technology affect your bottom line? Beyond offering some of the most competitive prices in dentistry, Glidewell delivers speed, simplicity, and predictability you can count on. Vertical integration creates opportunities for bundled savings across treatment modalities. And the company constantly reinvests its earnings into the next generation of materials, hardware, and software — helping to “future-proof” your practice by ensuring tomorrow’s tools outperform what’s available today.

Glidewell also champions freedom of ownership, accommodating individual dentist preferences. While some labs lure dentists with “free” equipment, only to lock them into preferred equipment, workflows, and a minimum monthly fee, Glidewell accepts any scanner and accommodates any digital or analog workflow.

Clinically, this means scalable growth and full control of your financial strategy. Adopt digital tools gradually, with flexibility to treat each case based on need. Patients get affordable, high-quality outcomes that strengthen practice loyalty.

Glidewell’s approach delivers real ROI in both the near and long term. No hidden costs, just transparent value and ongoing reinvestment in future innovations that amplify your returns.

In a field where any lab can produce crowns, Glidewell has always challenged accepted limitations, working to redefine the standard of dental technology. The company pushed the industry into digital dentistry and continues to expand what’s possible with an open platform, AI at scale, exceptional speed, and multiple education pathways.

If your practice needs a flexible, future-ready digital model that keeps evolving to simplify treatment, improve results, and reduce costs, consider Glidewell — the original architect of the digital revolution. While newcomers talk disruption, Glidewell delivers it. Elevate your care, empower your patients, and secure your success with the leader in digital dentistry.

• 2007 – First Digital Impressions Received
• 2009 – Launch of CAD/CAM Milled BruxZir^® Zirconia
• 2012 – Acquisition and Development of IOS FastScan and TS150 Mill
• 2013 – Early Version of Autoproposal Design Software
• 2015 – Formation of Machine Learning Team
• 2016 – First Use of AI in FastDesign Software
• 2017 – Milled First GAN-Designed Crown
• 2018 – Launch of glidewell.io^™ In-Office Solution
• 2018 – Relaunch of Digital Treatment Planning Department
• 2019 – First Crowns from “BruxZir Factory”
• 2021 – Release of CrownAI^™ and MarginAI^™ Software
• 2022 – Launch of fastscan.io^™ Scanning Solution (with Medit)
• 2022 – Launch of Comfort3D^™ Bite Splint
• 2023 – Launch of Glidewell Restorative CT^™ Integrated Solution
• 2023 – Launch of fastprint.io^™ 3D Printing Solution (with LuxCreo)
• 2023 – Acquisition of ORB Innovations Smart Technology
• 2025 – Launch of Next-Day BruxZir^® Zirconia Service
• 2025 – Launch of Glidewell Signature^™ Guided Workflow Portal for Esthetic Cases

Blog Posts

• “How Glidewell Intelligent Manufacturing Elevates Simplicity, Quality, Speed and Predictability for Dentists”
• “How Glidewell Uses Science, Theory and AI to Save Dentists Time and Money”
• “How Glidewell is Shaping the Future of Digital Dentistry”