Dental Tech Now

Glidewell

The Dental Tech Now podcast showcases specialists from across the industry who can equip you with the tools and resources you need to navigate a technology-driven environment. Discover how these titans of tech from Glidewell and beyond pave the way for the future and what they have on the horizon. Hosted by Sergei Azernikov, Chuck Stapleton, Ankush Venkatesh, Jason Song, James Zamora and Edsel Labao.

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10 episodes
Avg 40 min
English

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S1 · E10
September 14 · 31 min
The Human Side of Dental Innovation: AI, Burnout, FLOMO & the Future of Dentistry
Dr. Eric Block joins Glidewell's Sergei Azernikov to explore AI, burnout, and operational chaos in dentistry—and how his tool FLOMO helps practices build systems that reduce stress and boost performance. (00:00) The Human Side of Dental Innovation (00:43) Meet Dr. Eric Block (00:57) From Broken Tooth to Dental Career (02:25) Burnout, Stress and Finding a Way Forward (04:17) The Stress-Free Dentist Philosophy (05:09) What Dentists Are Struggling With Today (07:10) Burnout, Perfectionism and Operational Overload (08:54) Technology: Reducing Stress or Creating It? (09:32) The Three Ts: Techniques, Technology and Treatments (11:20) Evaluating New Dental Technology (13:06) AI and the Evolving Role of the Dentist (13:42) AI-Powered Diagnostics and Patient Education (15:59) Technology Adoption and Team Buy-In (18:00) Leadership, Culture and Patient Experience (19:28) Introducing FLOMO: Solving Workflow Chaos (20:13) SOPs, Documentation and Team Efficiency (22:41) Scaling Systems Across Dental Practices (24:46) Reducing Burnout Through Operational Excellence (26:11) The Future of Dentistry and Responsible AI (27:54) Essential Skills for the Next Generation of Dentists (30:16) Final Thoughts: Innovation, Leadership and Human-Centered Dentistry
S1 · E9
July 30 · 31 min
AI Is Designing the Future of Dental Labs with Holger Willems
The shifts in dental technology aren't just happening at the hardware level. The workflows are transforming, from planning and design to decision making. CEO of Relu, Holger Willems joins Glidewell's Sergei Azernikov. (00:00) AI and the Future of Dental Design (00:23) Meet Relu CEO Holger Willems (00:54) From Academic Research to Dental AI Startup (03:27) The Evolution of Digital Dental Laboratories (04:15) Hidden Inefficiencies in Dental Lab Workflows (05:58) Capturing Technician Knowledge Through Automation (08:05) AI vs. Human Technicians: Strengths and Limitations (09:48) FDA Validation and Building Trust in AI Systems (10:18) What Percentage of Dental Design Can Be Automated? (12:19) The New Role of Dental Technicians in an AI Era (13:39) Edge Cases, Scan Quality, and Data Challenges (16:25) Relu's Infrastructure Strategy for Dental Automation (18:20) Scaling AI Across Large Dental Laboratories (20:39) How Automation Will Transform Dentist-Lab Collaboration (23:33) Technology Advice for New Dentists and Lab Owners (24:28) Choosing the Right Software and Technology Partners (27:22) The Power of Software Innovation and Compounding Progress (28:01) The Challenge of Connecting Fragmented Dental Workflows (30:33) Final Thoughts on the Future of Dental Technology (30:45) Closing Remarks: AI's Next Impact on Dentistry
S1 · E8
July 21 · 35 min
From Aligners to AI Agents with Dr. Marina Domracheva
AI is used to analyze patient data and provide insights, but what happens when AI is used within dental workflows? Dr. Marina Domracheva, CEO of Movix, joins Glidewell's Sergei Azernikov to discuss taking AI from insight to infrastructure. (00:00) From AI Insights to AI Infrastructure in Dentistry (00:54) From Medicine to Orthodontics: Marina's Unexpected Journey (02:11) Building 3D Predict: AI-Powered Orthodontic Innovation (03:44) Why Dental Workflows Need AI Automation (05:09) The Biggest Operational Challenges in Dental Labs (07:51) The Growing Shortage of Dental Technicians (08:50) Virtual Technicians vs. Human Experts (11:04) The Current State of AI Adoption in Dental Labs (12:21) What Makes an AI Agent Different from Traditional Software? (14:06) AI Guardrails, Safety, and Clinical Responsibility (16:07) Roadblocks to AI Adoption in Dentistry (18:19) Managing the Future Workforce of Digital Employees (19:47) Lessons from Building Companies Across Markets (23:00) Entrepreneurship, Discipline, and Resilience (24:01) The Future of the Aligner Industry and Operational Efficiency (26:30) AI's Long-Term Impact on Labs, Clinics, and Patient Care (28:13) Eliminating Workflow Bottlenecks Between Clinics and Labs (31:22) How AI Changes the Role of Dental Technicians (33:07) Making the Vision a Reality: Collaboration, Automation, and the Future (34:44) Final Thoughts: The Next Five Years of Dental AI
S1 · E7
June 19 · 38 min
Can You Win in 3D Printing without Lock-in
Most hardware companies build their moats through consumables but Asiga's Justin Elsey built a successful 3D printer business around an open-materials ecosystem that turned out to be a competitive advantage, not a liability. Host Ankush Venkatesh. (00:00) Can You Win in 3D Printing Without Lock-In (00:17) Introducing Justin Elsey and Asiga's Open Materials Strategy (00:42) Breaking the Razor-Blade Model in 3D Printing (01:25) Why Open Materials Made Sense from the Start (02:21) Enabling Innovation Through Material Freedom (03:14) Building Trust Without Forcing Customer Lock-In (04:26) Expanding a Broad Materials Portfolio (05:12) Balancing Customer Demand vs. Innovation Vision (06:05) Staying Grounded Through Real Customer Feedback (07:10) Managing Trade-Offs in Material Performance (08:35) COVID vs. True Digital Dentistry Inflection Point (10:04) The Technology Stack Behind Digital Adoption (12:11) The Rise of Digital Case Workflows in Dentistry (14:10) Direct Printing Materials and Increased Utilization (16:17) Shift Toward Application-Specific 3D Printers (16:54) Lab vs. Chairside Economics and Use Cases (18:01) Print Pods and Simplifying Chairside Production (19:03) Cost Efficiency Through Material Packaging (20:23) Where Capsule-Based Printing Works Best (21:09) Limits of Capsule Systems for Larger Applications (22:15) Market Adoption and Future Applications (22:36) The Importance of End-to-End Workflow Optimization (23:50) AI's Role in Design and Workflow Acceleration (25:29) Integrating Design, Printing, and Post-Processing (26:05) Automation Opportunities in Lab Workflows (26:49) Automating Print Preparation with Funnel (28:13) Scaling Automation from Small Labs to Production (29:17) Hardware Automation vs. Software Automation Challenges (30:25) Robotics and Continuous Printing Workflows (32:17) Why Automation Adoption Has Been Slower (33:19) Application-Specific Automation in High-Volume Labs (34:25) The Next Growth Phase in Dental Lab Automation (34:51) Robotics, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing (36:13) The 80/20 Rule of Practical Automation (37:24) Closing Thoughts on the Future of Dental 3D Printing
S1 · E6
May 21 · 41 min
Concept to Chair: Who Builds Digital Dentistry? With Dr. Isaac Tawil
(00:00) The Future of Digital Dentistry (00:29) Meet Dr. Isaac Tawil: Digital Dental Guru (01:20) Entering the Pilot Seat: Becoming a Leader (02:03) Early Days with Digital Scanners (04:07) Real-Time Feedback and Beta Testing (05:28) Bringing Products to Market: Lessons Learned (07:13) Innovation Born from Clinical Experience (08:32) From Instruments to Market: Solving Real Problems (10:22) Impact of Technology and Photogrammetry (11:14) Building the Digital Ecosystem (12:25) The Challenge of Integration and AI (14:14) Cross-Sector Innovation and Industry Growth (16:09) International Expansion and Team Dedication (17:58) Global Technology Adoption and Passion (20:11) Technology Validated by Patient Outcomes (21:05) Cone Beam Revolution and Predictive Dentistry (22:28) Education and Treatment Planning (23:29) Digital Treatment Planning at Glidewell (24:38) Offering Multiple Treatment Options (25:48) Design Services and AI in Treatment Planning (27:23) Medical Navigation and Robotics (29:09) Robots, Self-Driving Cars, and Safety (32:15) Robotics in Dentistry and Amazon Factories (33:14) Chairside Dentistry and Same-Day Solutions (35:01) Disruptive Decisions at Glidewell (36:47) The Future of Dental Laboratories (38:06) Advances in Materials and Printing (39:09) Micro Robotics and Flash Scanning (40:33) Imagining the Future: Robots in Dentistry (41:00) Closing Thoughts and Farewell
S1 · E5
May 11 · 44 min
He Changed Dental 3D Printing. What's Next? with Erik Jacobs
3D printing innovator Rik Jacobs joins Glidewell's Chuck Stapleton to share how dental 3D printing evolved from a scrappy, experimental technology into a serious manufacturing solution, and how that journey shaped him as a founder. (00:00) Digital Dentistry and the State of Lab Technology (00:33) Welcome to Dental Tech Now with Chuck Stapleton (01:25) Dutch Culture, Directness, and Entrepreneurial Mindset (03:27) From Startup Founder to 3D Systems Acquisition (05:44) Scaling Dental 3D Printing Through Strategic Partnerships (07:11) Choosing the Right Acquisition Partner (08:27) Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Corporate Leader (10:16) Innovation Challenges Inside Large Technology Companies (12:55) Leaving Dental to Explore AI and Medical Imaging (15:21) Rebuilding Networks in New Tech Industries (17:50) Returning to Dental with Broader Perspective (19:16) Understanding Jetting vs Other 3D Printing Technologies (21:39) Multi-Material, Voxel-Based Printing Explained (23:21) The Future of Multi-Material Denture Manufacturing (25:27) Centralized Production vs In-Office Dentistry (29:44) Regulatory Challenges in Dental 3D Printing (33:50) Paving the Way for Future Dental Innovation (35:22) Improving Complete Dental Lab Workflows (37:30) Aligning Manufacturers with Real Customer Needs (38:50) Expanding Access and the Future Vision for Dental Tech (41:28) When Is the Innovation Journey Complete? (44:15) Closing Thoughts and How to Connect
S1 · E4
April 1 · 39 min
The Next Wave of AI-Driven Diagnostics with Wardah Inam
Explore how AI is reshaping diagnosis, clinical workflows, and decision-making in dentistry. Overjet's Wardah Inam and Glidewell's Sergei Azernikov dive into software fragmentation, data's evolving role, and what the next wave of technology might bring. (00:00) Technology Waves in Dentistry: From Manual to AI (00:57) Introducing Dr. Ward and Overjet (01:16) From Robotics to Healthcare AI (02:35) Early Breakthroughs in Machine Learning and Dentistry (03:49) Where AI Is Making a Real Impact Today (05:57) AI's Role in Diagnosis, Documentation, and Insurance (06:08) Building Diagnostic Confidence and Objectivity (07:41) Trust, Transparency, and Patient Communication (08:18) The Next Five Years: Multimodal AI and Prediction (09:25) How AI Changes the Role of the Dentist (10:39) Software Fragmentation and AI as the Connector (12:07) Data Openness, Interoperability, and Industry Standards (13:25) Who Should Drive Dental Data Standards (15:18) Rethinking Diagnostic Codes with AI (16:07) Standardization and Consistency of Care (18:04) AI, Insurance Algorithms, and Reduced Friction (20:21) The Challenges of Insurance Coding (21:54) Transparency, Cost Visibility, and the Patient Experience (22:30) AI's Impact on Lab–Dentist Collaboration (24:21) Closing the Loop with Objective Clinical Feedback (27:08) The Data Challenge: Consistency and Quality (28:00) Training AI with Imperfect Human Labels (31:33) Ground Truth, FDA Clearance, and Validation (33:24) Generative AI and the Future of Software Development (37:23) Advice for Dentists Considering AI Adoption (39:06) Final Thoughts and Wrap‑Up
S1 · E3
March 17 · 40 min
Industrial 3D Printing with Max Lobovsky
Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky and Glidewell's Ankush Venkatesh perform a technical autopsy on "automation debt," breaking down how the Form 4's architecture and the record-breaking 2025 growth of the Fuse SLS lineup are shifting the benchmark for high-velocity production. Tune in for a roadmap for the transition from desktop prototypes to the future of industrial dental tech. (00:00) Welcome to Dental Tech Now and Meet Max Lobovsky (00:33) Emerging Innovator Award and Industry Recognition (01:29) Dental's Scale and Complexity in 3D Printing (02:08) How Formlabs Discovered Dentistry as a Core Market (03:30) Early Adoption: Dentists Find Desktop 3D Printing (04:32) Focusing on Dental and Launching Biocompatible Materials (05:41) Why Surgical Guides Became a Key Entry Point (07:21) Major Growth Milestones in Dental 3D Printing (07:41) Hardware Evolution: Speed, Reliability, and Scale (09:00) Ease of Use as the Limiting Factor for Chairside Printing (10:37) Co-Designing Hardware, Software, and Materials (11:28) Open Materials, Ecosystems, and Business Models (12:18) The Shift Toward More Open 3D Printing Platforms (13:03) Automation in 3D Printing: Lessons from Form Cell and Form Auto (15:36) When Automation Makes Sense at Scale (17:43) Same-Day Dentistry as the Ultimate Workflow Goal (18:29) SLA vs SLS and Where Dental Fits (20:04) Material Performance Driving Both Dental and Industrial Uses (22:08) COVID as an Accelerator for Digital and Distributed Manufacturing (23:59) 3D Printing Medical Supplies During the Pandemic (26:32) Chairside Printing and Application-Specific Systems (27:34) Integrated Printers, Post-Processing, and Real Value (29:26) The "Dirty Secret" of Post-Processing and Transparency (31:42) Brand Trust vs Low-Cost Commodity Printers (33:03) Global Hardware Development and the Role of China (35:09) Global Talent and the Future of Engineering (37:17) From Tinkerer Mindset to Production Mindset (38:10) Focusing on Outcomes: Patients, Not Printers (38:50) The Future of Dental Workflows and Chairside Manufacturing (39:29) Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up
S1 · E2
March 4 · 44 min
The VC Perspective with Jeremy Krell
Dentistry is flooded with technology, but how much of it actually works at scale? On the next episode of Dental Tech Now, we're cutting through the hype. Dentist-turned-venture capitalist Jeremy Krell joins Glidewell's VP of Software Development, Sergei Azernikov to talk about what's real, what's not and what it actually takes to build technology that works across dentistry right now. (00:00) The Rapid Pace of Dental Technology Innovation (00:36) Meet the Guest: Dentist Turned Venture Capitalist (01:08) From Practice Ownership to Tech Operator (02:55) Founding Revere: Investing in Dental Technology (05:13) What's Broken in Dentistry Today (06:21) Dentistry 3.0: Connected Care & Interoperability (07:46) Objective Dentistry, Data & Artificial Intelligence (09:01) Fragmentation, PMS Limitations & Workflow Friction (10:53) How VCs Evaluate Dental Technology (13:27) AI, APIs & Industry Fit in Dentistry (14:31) Patient Perspective & Price Transparency (15:28) Why Labs Adopt Technology Faster Than Practices (18:09) AI Will Not Replace Dentists (19:06) Practical AI Use Cases for Dentists Today (23:46) Avoiding AI Fatigue in Patient Communication (25:06) Promising Dental Technology Companies (29:33) Measuring ROI: Efficiency, EBITDA & Adoption (31:26) Scaling a Dental Practice with Technology (33:20) The Next 5–10 Years of Dentistry (36:05) The Future of the Dentist–Lab Relationship (39:27) Technology Investment Advice for Young Dentists (42:51) Why Continuous Innovation Is Essential (44:06) Closing Thoughts & Wrap‑Up
S1 · E1
February 18 · 57 min
Meet the Hosts
Stephenie Goddard launches Dental Tech Now, introducing Glidewell's tech leaders and hosts of this visual podcast who will delve into the advancements and trends transforming the dental manufacturing industry. Sergei Azernikov, Edsel Labao, Jason Song, Chuck Stapleton, Ankush Venkatesh, James Zamora. (00:00) Welcome to Dental Tech Now (01:19) Where Dental Technology Stands Today (02:06) The Rise of Digital Workflows in Dentistry (03:13) From Analog Labs to Fully Digital Production (04:05) 3D Printing as the Backbone of Dental Manufacturing (05:35) Scale, Automation, and the Future of Lab Production (06:09) Separating Real Innovation from Industry Hype (07:44) The Accelerating Pace of Dental Technology Change (09:51) Infrastructure, Data, and Automation Challenges (12:24) Intraoral Scanning Goes Mainstream (13:17) AI Applications in Design, Diagnostics, and Printing (15:07) Making Technology Feel Seamless for Dentists (16:02) COVID as the Inflection Point for Digital Dentistry (17:15) The Industry's Biggest Gap: Integration (18:00) Introducing the Hosts of Dental Tech Now (19:04) Why Dental Software Is Still Underestimated (20:36) Interoperability, Standards, and Market Pressure (23:51) When Is Technology Truly Manufacturable (26:51) Technology Adoption Challenges Inside the Dental Lab (29:12) Validation, Proof, and Building Trust in Innovation (31:08) Engineering and Operations Working Together (33:00) Testing, Iteration, and Scaling at Glidewell (38:26) The Role of the Intrapreneur (40:29) Additive Manufacturing at Scale (43:33) Infrastructure, Data, and Security as the Foundation (45:05) Technology, Growth, and Career Evolution (48:17) Creating Value Beyond the Noise (49:25) Cybersecurity Risks in Dental Technology (51:50) What Makes Technology Stick in the Field (55:00) How Glidewell Evaluates New Technology (58:09) Closing Thoughts and Series Vision

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