Voices from The Bench

Hey, Voices of the Bench community! Erich Neuhaus, Marketing Manager at Ivoclar here. Bring greater efficiency and flexibility to your denture workflow with Ivotion, Ivoclar's digital denture system. Ivotion helps labs reduce manual production steps while delivering predictable, high-quality aesthetics. With new shade options available in both Ivotion Dent Multi and our Ivotion Monolithic Discs, you can broaden your offering and deliver more personalized results. Reach out to your local Ivoclar representative today and discover what I've ocean can do for your lab. As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one. Barb and Elvis are back in New Orleans for more conversations from Nowak Dental Supplies NOLA LabFest, with help from Hyperdent! First, we sit down with Robert Nickoloff and Maddy Ryan from Dreve America to talk about impression materials, 3D printing resins, thermoforming equipment, night guards, and custom sports guards. We get into the Drufamat, the advantages of positive-pressure thermoforming, and how labs can turn colorful, custom mouth guards into new business opportunities. Then George Cowburn and Richard Nixon from LabPilot join us to discuss how they've taken their removable workflow to the next level. By combining traditional denture craftsmanship with modern machining, Lab Pilot is finding ways to make technology more accessible while keeping the technician firmly in control. Two great conversations about materials, equipment, innovation, and the people moving the dental lab industry forward. A busy dental lab doesn't always mean a profitable one. More cases don't necessarily mean more money when labor, materials, remakes, downtime, and outsourcing are all eating into your margins. The key is understanding what it really costs to produce each case and finding ways to get more out of the workflow and equipment you already have. Can you increase production with the same team, eliminate unnecessary steps, or bring outsourced work back in-house? Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions are designed to help dental labs build efficient, dependable workflows that keep production moving and support real return on investment. Because every case produced efficiently is another opportunity to protect your profit. Being busy is great, but being profitable is even better. Take a closer look at what your workflow is costing you and discover where you could be keeping more revenue in your lab. Learn more at rolanddental.com.Special Guests: George Cowburn, Maddy Ryan, Richard Nixon, and Robert Nickoloff.

Hey, Voices of the Bench community! Erich Neuhaus, Marketing Manager at Ivoclar here. Bring greater efficiency and flexibility to your denture workflow with Ivotion, Ivoclar's digital denture system. Ivotion helps labs reduce manual production steps while delivering predictable, high-quality aesthetics. With new shade options available in both Ivotion Dent Multi and our Ivotion Monolithic Discs, you can broaden your offering and deliver more personalized results. Reach out to your local Ivoclar representative today and discover what I've ocean can do for your lab. As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one. This week we are coming to you from NOLA LabFest for two conversations with some of the people pushing dental technology forward. First, Dylan Paolicelli, Director of Digital Solutions at Bonadent Dental Laboratories, shares his journey from photography to CAD/CAM and how he grew from loading mills and cleaning 3D prints to overseeing digital workflows across six laboratory locations. Dylan talks about the evolution of digital dentistry, the challenges of bringing new materials and technologies into the lab, Bonadent’s training program for the next generation of technicians, and why automation should free skilled technicians to focus on skilled work rather than simply pushing buttons. Then, Erica DiManna and Tom Heusing from Aidite join the conversation to discuss the company’s growth, its 3D Pro Zir Ultra zirconia, and the importance of building strategic partnerships instead of simply following the competition. They explain how Aidite approaches technical support by helping laboratories dial in their materials and firing temperatures, the value of hands-on education, and what’s coming next for the company at LMT Lab Day Chicago. Special Guests: Dylan Paolicelli, Erica DiManna, and Tom Heusing.

Hey, Voices of the Bench community! Erich Neuhaus, Marketing Manager at Ivoclar here. Bring greater efficiency and flexibility to your denture workflow with Ivotion, Ivoclar's digital denture system. Ivotion helps labs reduce manual production steps while delivering predictable, high-quality aesthetics. With new shade options available in both Ivotion Dent Multi and our Ivotion Monolithic Discs, you can broaden your offering and deliver more personalized results. Reach out to your local Ivoclar representative today and discover what I've ocean can do for your lab. As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one. This week we head to Doncaster, England, to meet Chris Golze, a dental technician who turned a small newspaper ad into a lifelong career in dentistry. Chris got his start in the lab at just 17, working in the model room before moving into crown and bridge. After years in the industry, co-owning a lab, and eventually striking out on his own, Chris found his niche in thermoforming appliances and built a business around doing what he enjoys most. We get into the world of custom thermoformed appliances, from sports mouthguards and whitening trays to retainers and bruxism splints. Chris explains how custom mouthguards can become a canvas for creativity, with layered colors, graphics, logos, and personalized designs that go far beyond the standard guard. We also talk about the challenges of running a specialized lab, finding your place in the industry, and making the leap to doing things your own way. Of course, it wouldn't be a conversation with Chris without a little humor! Known for his dental technician memes and social media presence, Chris shares how connecting online with other technicians helped him discover a much bigger, more supportive dental lab community than he realized existed. From funny moments and unusual requests to the relationships that make this industry special, this episode is a reminder that there's more than one way to build a successful career in dental technology. Dental lab owners and managers — are you spending too much time chasing paperwork, checking portals, tracking cases, and answering doctors asking, “Is my crown done yet?” You didn’t start a dental lab to become a full-time paperwork wrangler. LabNCloud is the all-in-one, cloud-based platform built by techs, for techs, with 90+ features to streamline your entire lab — from case tracking and invoicing to shipping, time tracking, doctor portals, and automatic digital file routing. Stop managing chaos and start managing your lab. Visit LabNCloud.com to book your free personalized demo. And mention “Elvis is Handsome” to get your first month free. LabNCloud — the operating system for dental labs. Built by techs, for techs. Your customers are checking you out on social media long before they ever fill out a form or pick up the phone. By the time they reach you, they’ve already started forming an opinion. That’s why consistency on social media matters. Creating content is hard. Posting consistently is even harder. That’s why we built icortica Social. Create, schedule, publish, and report on your social media all in one place — and let your entire team contribute. With a simple QR code, your team can send photos and videos straight from their phones to marketing, whether they’re in the lab or at an event. icortica Social works as a standalone app, so no existing icortica subscription is required. Make social media easier. Stay consistent. Grow your presence. Check it out at icortica.com/social.Special Guest: Chris Golze.

Hey, Voices of the Bench community! Erich Neuhaus, Marketing Manager at Ivoclar here. Bring greater efficiency and flexibility to your denture workflow with Ivotion, Ivoclar's digital denture system. Ivotion helps labs reduce manual production steps while delivering predictable, high-quality aesthetics. With new shade options available in both Ivotion Dent Multi and our Ivotion Monolithic Discs, you can broaden your offering and deliver more personalized results. Reach out to your local Ivoclar representative today and discover what I've ocean can do for your lab. NOLA Lab Fest is back, and Voices From the Bench will be recording live from the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on October 16th and 17th! Join Elvis and Barbara as they hang out with the HyperDent team, talk shop with some of the best in the dental industry, and host the always-entertaining Lab Family Feud. The fun kicks off Thursday, October 15th, with Jude Grayson leading a half-day workshop for lab owners and department leaders, sponsored by HyperDent. While you're there, check out Roland DGA's CAM trade-in special, where you can trade in your old CAM software for HyperDent and unlock the full potential of your mill with better milling quality, faster milling times, and the ability to mill Ivotion dentures with Elevate denture solutions. Registration is open now at NOLALabFest.com, and spots are limited. Don't miss out on the fun, the learning, and probably a few too many beignets! This week we're finally checking a guest off our wish list as Jay Shin from TruAbutment joins us to talk about the company, his unexpected journey into the dental industry, and the technology that's changing implant dentistry. Jay shares how he went from running dry cleaners and a poke restaurant to learning the ins and outs of custom abutments, and how True Abutment grew from its early days into a major player in digital implant solutions. We get into what makes TruAbutment's split-file workflow so popular with dental labs, the development of custom abutments and full-arch solutions, and how IO Connect and T-Marker are helping labs capture implant positioning data. Jay also gives us a look at the future, including T-Snap, new 3D-printing materials like True Flexible, and the company's expanding digital workflow solutions. There's plenty of implant talk, exciting technology, and a few ideas from Elvis that might just make it into a future product. Your customers are checking you out on social media long before they ever fill out a form or pick up the phone. By the time they reach you, they’ve already started forming an opinion. That’s why consistency on social media matters. Creating content is hard. Posting consistently is even harder. That’s why we built icortica Social. Create, schedule, publish, and report on your social media all in one place — and let your entire team contribute. With a simple QR code, your team can send photos and videos straight from their phones to marketing, whether they’re in the lab or at an event. icortica Social works as a standalone app, so no existing icortica subscription is required. Make social media easier. Stay consistent. Grow your presence. Check it out at icortica.com/social. Dental lab owners and managers — are you spending too much time chasing paperwork, checking portals, tracking cases, and answering doctors asking, “Is my crown done yet?” You didn’t start a dental lab to become a full-time paperwork wrangler. LabNCloud is the all-in-one, cloud-based platform built by techs, for techs, with 90+ features to streamline your entire lab — from case tracking and invoicing to shipping, time tracking, doctor portals, and automatic digital file routing. Stop managing chaos and start managing your lab. Visit LabNCloud.com to book your free personalized demo. And mention “Elvis is Handsome” to get your first month free. LabNCloud — the operating system for dental labs. Built by techs, for techs.

Hey, Voices of the Bench community! Erich Neuhaus, Marketing Manager at Ivoclar here. Bring greater efficiency and flexibility to your denture workflow with Ivotion, Ivoclar's digital denture system. Ivotion helps labs reduce manual production steps while delivering predictable, high-quality aesthetics. With new shade options available in both Ivotion Dent Multi and our Ivotion Monolithic Discs, you can broaden your offering and deliver more personalized results. Reach out to your local Ivoclar representative today and discover what I've ocean can do for your lab. NOLA Lab Fest is back, and Voices From the Bench will be recording live from the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on October 16th and 17th! Join Elvis and Barbara as they hang out with the HyperDent team, talk shop with some of the best in the dental industry, and host the always-entertaining Lab Family Feud. The fun kicks off Thursday, October 15th, with Jude Grayson leading a half-day workshop for lab owners and department leaders, sponsored by HyperDent. While you're there, check out Roland DGA's CAM trade-in special, where you can trade in your old CAM software for HyperDent and unlock the full potential of your mill with better milling quality, faster milling times, and the ability to mill Ivotion dentures with Elevate denture solutions. Registration is open now at NOLALabFest.com, and spots are limited. Don't miss out on the fun, the learning, and probably a few too many beignets! Getting paid for your work should be the easy part of running a dental lab, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always how it goes! This week,we sit down with Matt Travis from Burt and Associates, a familiar name to many in the dental laboratory industry who specializes in helping labs collect unpaid invoices. Matt shares how he got his start in dental lab collections, including a memorable first collection involving Mike Zuber, a little too much fun the night before, and a $5,000 invoice that got paid before he even left the dental office. But there’s a lot more to collections than making phone calls and demanding payment. Matt explains how Burton Associates approaches overdue accounts, why labs can get into trouble by continuing to send cases to customers who aren’t paying, and how difficult it can be to decide when a customer has become a debtor. The conversation also covers credit applications, checking a customer’s credit before extending terms, protecting accounts receivable, and why having clear policies in place can save a lab from a whole lot of headaches. With stories of unpaid balances reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, this episode is a reminder that doing great work is only part of running a successful dental lab. You have to collect the money, too! Your customers are checking you out on social media long before they ever fill out a form or pick up the phone. By the time they reach you, they’ve already started forming an opinion. That’s why consistency on social media matters. Creating content is hard. Posting consistently is even harder. That’s why we built icortica Social. Create, schedule, publish, and report on your social media all in one place — and let your entire team contribute. With a simple QR code, your team can send photos and videos straight from their phones to marketing, whether they’re in the lab or at an event. icortica Social works as a standalone app, so no existing icortica subscription is required. Make social media easier. Stay consistent. Grow your presence. Check it out at icortica.com/social. Dental lab owners and managers — are you spending too much time chasing paperwork, checking portals, tracking cases, and answering doctors asking, “Is my crown done yet?” You didn’t start a dental lab to become a full-time paperwork wrangler. LabNCloud is the all-in-one, cloud-based platform built by techs, for techs, with 90+ features to streamline your entire lab — from case tracking and invoicing to shipping, time tracking, doctor portals, and automatic digital file routing. Stop managing chaos and start managing your lab. Visit LabNCloud.com to book your free personalized demo. And mention “Elvis is Handsome” to get your first month free. LabNCloud — the operating system for dental labs. Built by techs, for techs. Will your next equipment purchase pay for itself? It’s the question every lab owner asks. But here’s another one: How much is it costing you not to invest? Every remake, hour of downtime, and case outsourced because you’re at capacity eats into your profits. The right milling solution can help increase production, reduce interruptions, and keep your technicians focused on revenue-generating work. That’s why dental labs continue to choose Roland DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions. Built for dependable performance, they help keep your lab running smoothly and create opportunities for growth. Because the best investment is one that keeps paying you back. Learn more at rolanddental.com.Special Guest: Matt Travis.