CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

I feature _ interview _FinnishdentaltechnologymanufacturerPlanmeca has recently made a significant equity investment in the US-based high-tech medical device company E4D Technologies. In this interview, vice-president at the Planmeca Group and acting CEO for E4D Technologies TuomasLokkishedslightonthisnewventure. _CAD/CAM: Mr Lokki, why did Planmeca choose toinvestinE4DTechnologies? We believe in the tremendous possibilities and futuregrowthofCAD/CAMdentistry.Asdentistrywillbe completelydigitalinthefuture,webelieveitisvitaltoin- vest in the development of new and efficient practices. E4Disalong-termleaderinadvancingmodernCAD/CAM dentistry,soweknewthatjoiningforceswiththishigh- techmedicaldevicecompanywouldbeavaluableaddi- tion to our own leading expertise in 3-D imaging and softwaresolutions.Theirspecialexpertiseandinnovative ideasprovideagreatfoundationforfutureprojectsthat willcombinetheknow-howofbothcompanies. _Whatadvantageswillthisinvestmentofferdental customersworldwide? The new partnership with E4D Technologies will enable us to offer our customers the most modern CAD/CAM innovations. Our product distribution in over 120 countries combined with the cutting-edge E4D innovations will increase global product availabil- ityandtakecomputer-aideddentistrytothenextlevel. Our customers will also benefit from the innovative combination and seamless integration of Planmeca’s andE4D’sproductsandservices. _Howwillthisimprovethedailyworkflowatclinics? OnegreatadvantageistheintegrationofX-rayim- aging and CAD/CAM into a single software platform, Planmeca Romexis. For the first time, customers will have the option of one software interface for both X-ray imaging and CAD/CAM work. All patient data is also saved in the same database and it can be shared immediately and easily through the clinic’s network or with the Planmeca Romexis Cloud service. Further- more,therestorationsdesignedintheCADmodulecan easilybecombinedwiththepatient’s3-DX-rayimages for implant planning purposes, for example. For the patients,thismeansconvenientsame-daydentistry. _Can you also tell us about the brand new intra- oralscannerthatyoulaunchedrecently? Our new Planmeca PlanScan intra-oral scanner is an ultra-fast, powder-free and open solution for 3-D digitalimpressions.Itsadvancedbluelasertechnology accurately captures hard and soft tissue of various translucencies, dental restorations, models and im- pressions. It is the world’s first dental unit-integrated intra-oral scanner and can be used through a laptop as a standalone version. Together with our Planmeca Romexissoftware,thesystemsupportsanidealdigital treatmentworkflow. _How will both Planmeca and E4D benefit from thisinvestment? On the one hand, this investment strengthens Planmeca’s position in the fast-growing CAD/CAM business and Planmeca benefits from E4D’s cutting- edge solutions and long-term CAD/CAM expertise. On the other hand, Planmeca’s extensive distribution network enables E4D Technologies to grow globally and our leading dental imaging solutions will be a valuableadditiontotheE4DCAD/CAMplatform. _Has this venture created any new needs for your company? Definitely, as we need to provide extensive CAD/ CAM training for our distribution and customer net- workinover120countries.Therefore,wehaverecently invested in new training, warehouse and production facilities alongside our Helsinki headquarters. These new 10,000 sqm facilities will help us address the growing need for training and education in this new fieldofdentistry. We are thrilled to be able to take CAD/CAM to the next level. Our innovations will change the concept of same-day dentistry completely and facilitate the workflowofdentalprofessionalsworldwide. _Thankyouverymuchfortheinterview._ Tuomas Lokki (DTI/Photos courtesy of Planmeca, Finland) Planmeca Romexis allows the integration of X-ray imaging and CAD/CAM into a single software platform. 16 I CAD/CAM 1_2014 Fig. 2 “Take CAD/CAM to the next level” Planmeca’s vice-president on the company’s strategic investment in E4DTechnologies CAD0114_16_Lokki 14.04.14 11:44 Seite 1