Heraeus Kulzer and Dental Wings announce long-term development cooperation

The Hanau-based dental manufacturer Heraeus Kulzer and the Canadian digital specialist Dental Wings are breaking new ground in CAD/CAM manufacturing. At the International Dental Show 2015 (IDS) in Cologne the two companies present their cooperation on a new innovative milling technology, developed by Dental Wings: Laser Milling. Together, Dental Wings and Heraeus Kulzer, will distribute the new CAM technology with specialized Heraeus Kulzer materials to revolutionise the digital production of dental restorations.

The partnership brings together Heraeus Kulzer's many years of materials expertise and Dental Wings' digital know-how. Heraeus Kulzer supports dental technicians and dentists around the world with materials and services for digital and traditional techniques. Dental Wings' core expertise lies in digital dental technology, with a portfolio including solutions such as software for computer-aided prosthetics as well as 3D scanners.

The new technology brings the digital production of crowns and bridges to a new level. The underlying process is laser ablation: within a closed loop 3D process and integrated quality control, the laser "mills" the materials. That is why it is named "Laser Milling". As materials including modern composite, glass ceramic and zirconia blocks can be used.

Opening up new possibilities together

"Users want to produce durable restorations flexibly and efficiently. This requires that we closely integrate high-quality materials and modern technologies. With Dental Wings, we have a competent partner for this novel laser milling technology who shares our commitment to always be a step ahead", explains Dr Martin Haase, Managing Director of Heraeus Kulzer. Novica Savic, Head of Division Dental Materials at Heraeus Kulzer, adds, "Laser milling offers interesting opportunities in efficiently and reliably providing patients with digitally-produced dental restorations. But even in modern digital prosthetics, the basis for high-quality restorations is still materials aligned to the needs of the dental technology. Our job is to provide these solutions."

Michael Rynerson, CEO of Dental Wings, explains: "The phrase 'paradigm shift' is truly appropriate for Dental Wings Laser Milling. This technology has the potential to re-write the rulebook for producing dental restorations. With Heraeus Kulzer we have an experienced materials specialist at our side that has for decades been driving dental and technical restoration with innovative, reliable materials. It is only with properly matched materials that we can exploit the full potential of the laser milling technology for dental applications."

Focussed on users' requirements

Heraeus Kulzer and Dental Wings present the capabilities of this revolutionary technology at IDS. In the Future Corner at Heraeus Kulzer's booth, the developers will discuss fields of application and requirements with users. The cooperation partners are currently working together to optimize the technology and materials. The laser milling machine and related materials should be available in the first half-year of 2016.

About Heraeus Kulzer

Heraeus Kulzer GmbH is one of the world's leading dental companies with its headquarters in Hanau, Germany. As a trusted partner, the company supplies dentists and dental technicians with an extensive product range, covering cosmetic dentistry, tooth preservation, prosthetics, periodontology and digital dentistry. More than 1,400 employees at 25 locations worldwide are driven by their expertise and passion for the dental market and embody what the name Heraeus Kulzer stands for: service, quality and innovation. In 2013 Heraeus Kulzer's product turnover exceeded 400 million USD.

Heraeus Kulzer has been part of the Japanese Mitsui Chemicals Group since July 2013. Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI) is based in Tokyo, and has 135 affiliates with more than 14,200 employees in 27 countries worldwide. Its innovative, practical chemical products are as much in demand in the automotive, electronics and packaging industries as they are in other fields such as environmental protection and healthcare.