Joe and Lee from Russellville Dental Lab made the trek up to blustery Chicago for this 2009's Midwinter meeting.  As always, the meeting was chocked full of interesting courses and lively discussions.

Lee got the privelage to guest blog some of what went on over on The Dental Implant Blog run by ICOI/ADIA's Teresa Duncan.

Although there was considerable talk of avoiding doom and gloom this year with several programs focused on making it work in a down economy, there was quite a bit of new innovation.

Topping the list of innovation (from the Lab perspective anyway) has to be the new Nobel Biocare Procera 4.0 launch.  The new software and scanner dramatically improves the capabilities of the Procera lab for quality restorations.  Nobel recently acquired BioCad Medical and the integration of their technology in to Nobel's new software is great.

The new optical scanner, powered by Optimet's conoscopic holography technology, is a true advance in scanning.  With this technology you can scan up to 270 degrees.  That means this is the only scanner that can get in to undercuts in most models and impressions.

Other notables: we saw Master Ceramist Willie Geller talk about his ideas on prep-less veneers. This was a real treat. 

It was a great meeting!

Biocad, now owned by Nobel Biocare, gives you a multitude of restorative options for implant retained bars.  Check it out.

The Procera Implant Bridge is a milled Titanium or Zirconia implant or abutment retained bridge framework that is completely passive.  You've probably heard about it as the best choice for restoration of the All-On-4 surgical concept, but there's more to it that that.  Patients love it, and we'll tell you why.

Joe and Travis are in Louisville for Joe to present the Prosthetic section of the All-On-4 surgical training course for Nobel Biocare being held this quarter at the offices of Drs. Parrish & Schoering, Advanced Implant & Periodontics.

Lee is in Bowling Green, KY at the Oral Pathology seminar sponsored by Drs. Thompson and Peterson.