See what I do for you Guys! What I have to go through!
OK - Those are not the current conditions! I do have a big sense of humour though
The Weather is more like the below and about -5C (see picture from blackberry) 5:36pm in Chicago
I am meeting with a few Canadian CAD industry leaders tomorrow - discussions based around forecasting the transition into digital, new products for 2011, current state of the industry, demographics and the increasing rate of dental technicians retiring.
Should be some great conversation. (and coffee)
Today I was lining up industry contact meetings
The Industries `Big Guns' are here - I have to see what I can get for you guys! (it won't be a free burn out furnance)but -
Information and Support in Canada - what are the stratigies for 2011 and beyond. The idea is then to align yourself with those `ideals' from very succesful vendors and work hard to create a very profitable year for yourself.
Tomorrow I am putting together my plan to source out the best vendor exhibits and capture all the best product tips and tricks for you.
I also have to pick up some Tanaka Big Brushes or I will be in big big trouble - although we don't touch ceramics inhouse - Our clients love these brushes. I said I would get a few! If you want one let me know
Until tomorrow sign off from the blog - I will be tweeting away day and night of whats going on
Update 3shape releases Powerful New Dental Scanners D500, D800, D810 along with a possible short glimpse of the new intraoral scanner the Trios - call us for more information we are a 3Shape Distributor 1-877-527-8535
I am back from Chicago and very energized to provide a quick summary of what I saw and heard during my trip for you! gathering information and meeting clients and vendors.
Dentists - McCormick
On the Dentist side I did not see the big releases and new product launches you would expect. (I thought)
At McCormick the exhibits were absolutely stunning and mega dollar. The place was jammed daily just nonstop. I was able to locate a few ground breaking products - a free offering to your dentist partners from us to you (will talk you one at a time) Glidewell was pushing BruxZir as the next big thing – well they have now added their own IOS intraoral scanner for dentists – Interoral scan direct to manufacturer and get the models back with a e.max CAD for just over one hundred bucks. Well we feel the current solution is not as accurate as Itero or C.O.S – The models were off the Eden which we did not feel were accurate enough at the time. IPS E.max had nothing new other than they acknowledged to ask the dentist for a 2.mm prep and you might get a 1.2mm. The representative from Ivoclar did mention the strength under 1.2mm is far less and at .8mm pushes the limits of the material. Sironia had a big display and just system upgrades. Nobel the same – better marking software and release of the e.max CAD which has already been used for years with little traction because of margins and – well milling glass with square preps and round burs is a tough fit - there is no shrinkage like other products - Try it.
Over the to the CAL LAB Day
Jim Glidewell, CDT: “The Digital Future of Dental Laboratory Technology” (Fri. a.m.) – Lit Up the Scorched Earth Policy on conventional dental labs. Although I did not make this one! Almost every person I spoke to including senior staff at Glidewell - the voice was clear and heard, that if you don’t have or get yourself an open scanner your days are numbered, you will just not be able to compete in the near future. Jim then went on the quote just mind boggling production numbers like 8400 BruxZir units being milled each week and $10M in milled temp revenue each month alone – people were talking! Stated volume is slowly growing with e.max but BruxZir has shot through the stratosphere!
The Scanner Shoot out went as expected, heavy 3Shape. There were other great speakers as well.
Thanks also to the Plug from Mike (from the USA) when he was completing his key note speech and mentioned Kastle Mills being a great outsourcer! (I got a text I was on the other part of Chicago)
The Sheraton Dental Lab Days – was just packed!
Too much to cover. However it was all about CAD and all about Full Contour Zirconia. It was everywhere. New improved dental 3D scanners, BruxZir BruxZir and more BruxZir. I came across what we required for our clients a set up various alignments to access specialty products to help out dental labs drive out even better products. Nothing really new from dentalwings and like above little from Nobel.
What we did see is a crazy new zirconia from 3M ESPE launching soon against BruxZir – It was actually compared physically to Crystal and BruxZir I believe in a light chamber – you had to pick. It was obvious. The crazy thing is the wear study is complete; the zirconia is fluorescent and comes in over 30 shade configurations. – I was told even our milling systems would be updated for enhanced anatomy.
Another crazy new update was the enviosionTEC DLP – The models were far more aesthetic and clean than the Itero or 3M In’tech. WOW! I knew they were coming- its here. We are working on a solution for our Canadian customers. Keep you posted. Zeno had a one pack ceramic that did draw attention, 3Shape signed on with Atlantis for late in 2011.
Jenson officially joined with 3M ESPE in the USA only, seemed to be many relationships forming Invisionline and Itero and many more!
Is Asian OutSourcing DONE?
There was a lot of late to market ideas – such as Asian Outsourcing, at $39.99 a unit for copings and $129.99 Abutments Ti – Turnarounds 5 to 7 business days and that’s with no customs issues. It’s done! I have to offer $39.99 a unit Free Shipping and 48hours in your hands! – The Asian piece is not even competitive in price, quality and or speed. (5 years ago that price would have been turning heads to China)
Also milled models - $40K for machine and $20 to mill a set. Looks great but printed models are about $3 to manufacturer in materials. – There was a lot of this. late to market
There were a lot of intraoral scanners coming out (export STL) – It’s not the scanner you have to watch out for it’s the speed of placement as there are many scenarios I found - like Free Scanner and Pay for Click fee! Or Buy for $20K and no click fee! (It's Coming)
Overall in Summary it was 4 long days, of fun, new products, some impressive, some not. The theme was driven digital by most, great speakers, most with older studies – the presentations would then contradict the next speaker (had a newer study) – you get the point. The reality is that dentists are becoming more educated on materials, zirconia is not only here to stay it was a fairly large part of most of the dental lab day in one way or another. With new products being created to make zirocnia better, faster and even more accurate. Another talking piece was also the new printed temps! – coming soon. Well I am just skimming the surface here, I heard little about titanium at all, Vericore and 3I seemed to be stepping up and maybe capture some bar work from Nobel (who knows). I bumped into Matt Roberts literally at the 3Shape launch and I think stepped on Ed McLarens foot at the bar at the Sheraton.
Take Ways – from Chicago besides another 5lbs.
1. Glidewell – put it out there! the theme of the show – all I heard about – Buy an open scanner or you can’t complete (I will try to get youtube)
2. Become a modern technician now – (3Shape Tais CTO)
3. Be flexible and accurate with product offerings (Business)
4. Sell 2 brands of YOU, conventional and CAD Products – charge accordingly right! (CAD Mentors)
Well that's it for my update! little more to come in the next few days.
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