Publisher’s Letter: Why CAD/CAM Matters

When you get to the heart of in-office digital technologies, the real benefit is access — to same-day restorations, to better patient experiences, to powerful support systems, and to expertise beyond your own. I say “access” because you will always be the ultimate force in providing care, but these tools open doors to abilities and conveniences you’ve likely never had before.

As the man behind the world’s largest dental lab, I can admit there are a lot of inconveniences with the traditional dental lab model. There are wait times, guesswork, miscommunications and more challenges created by the technician and dentist being separated. At Glidewell, we’re continuously innovating to minimize and eliminate these issues. There’s always room for improvement; but, thanks to digital advancements, the lab experience of today is all but unrecognizable to the one of a decade ago.

Still, chairside digital technologies give rise to possibilities the lab simply can’t provide today — chairside crowns and complete control over restorative outcomes. This is why we developed our own system, the glidewell.io^™ In-Office Solution. What sets it apart is that it directly benefits from lessons learned in the lab, like milling strategies, design best practices and workflow streamlining. It puts a “Glidewell Labs technician” right in your practice, doing away with issues caused by distance. Your favorite materials, expert advice and personalized support are just a few clicks away.

This issue of Chairside^® magazine is dedicated entirely to in-office systems and their benefits. I would encourage you to explore the articles and see how your peers are succeeding, often serving more patients with less effort, more predictability and greater rewards — What’s not to love?

I’m a big believer in chairside technology. To make sure you have opportunities to experience the benefits firsthand, we’re touring the glidewell.io In-Office Solution across the nation, with appearances at dental conventions, events and as part of our dedicated roadshows. Or, if you’d rather come out to sunny Southern California, we routinely host chairside technology courses and symposia right on our campus.