Investing in Tomorrow: Science and Technology at Glidewell

In step with the clinician’s relentless drive to deliver better results for patients, Glidewell is committed to advancing the science of restorative dentistry and the dental laboratory industry. For more than 50 years, the company has adapted and innovated technologies on a global scale to assist dentists in their efforts to improve the lives of patients. As of January 2020, Glidewell has been issued 41 U.S. patents and 62 worldwide — with an additional 114 patents pending.

Today, Glidewell’s industry-leading Research & Development department is comprised of over 150 individuals dedicated to revolutionizing the products, tools and techniques available to dental professionals. In addition to more than a dozen Ph.D.-credentialed researchers, this experienced team of scientists, chemists, engineers, clinicians, Certified Dental Technicians (CDTs) and Master Dental Technicians (MDTs) is proud to play a role in shaping the future of dental technology.

Commitment to Research and Development

Since its founding in 1970, Glidewell has been driven by a belief that innovation is the key to growth. Internally, the company has thrust dentistry forward with the development of restorative materials like BruxZir^® Zirconia (2009), lithium silicate ceramic (2013), Obsidian^® Fused to Metal (2015), and BruxZir Esthetic (2018). But innovation has often meant keeping a keen eye on new technologies developed in other industries and adapting them to serve the dental community, from injection molding and 3D printing, to artificial intelligence and CT scanning.

The Current Landscape

Today, a multitude of distinct R&D teams work together to progress the science behind monolithic and layered ceramics, composites, dental design software, and much more. Scientists from around the globe with experience garnered from many areas and industries now conduct research under the Glidewell banner, steadily advancing dental laboratory technology to ever-higher levels of sophistication.

Creating the Dentistry of Tomorrow

The future of Research & Development for Glidewell is set in motion by the same goal that has always motivated the company: reduce the cost of production and streamline restorative workflows to make dentistry faster and more affordable for clinicians and patients alike. The company continues to move forward in this spirit, knowing that further advancements have the power to resonate across the world and help make high-quality treatment even more accessible to patients.