Then things shifted from mills to maintenance with Rebekah Serrago and Chris Wilson from Garland Dental Services. What started decades ago as a garage-based repair business fixing handpieces has grown into one of the industry’s best-kept secrets for equipment sales, service, and support. Rebekah shares the story of growing up folding flyers for her father’s repair company before eventually becoming CEO and expanding Garland into a massive online sales and service operation supporting everything from ovens to mills. Chris joins in to talk preventative maintenance, service certifications, keeping ancient ovens alive, and why labs desperately need dealers that actually understand the equipment they sell. It’s equal parts family-business story, repair shop wisdom, and hilarious behind-the-scenes dental lab banter.

Finally, the future officially arrived when the podcast crew sat down with Antoine Coppens from Relu and orthodontic lab owner Christian Saurman of New England Orthodontic Laboratory. What started as four engineering students experimenting with AI in Belgium somehow turned into fully automated dental workflows capable of designing surgical guides, night guards, models, and restorations in minutes. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping lab workflows, reducing manual design time, integrating directly into LMS systems, and even learning individual lab preferences. Christian explains how his custom-built orthodontic lab management system helped eliminate workflow chaos and automate huge portions of production, while Antoine gives a fascinating look into where dental AI is headed next. Between AI-generated appliances, automated scan checks, and self-learning workflows, this episode feels less like science fiction and more like a preview of what labs will look like over the next five years.

Special Guests: Antoine Coppens, Chris Wilson, Christian Saurman, Rebekah Serrago, and Tony Aliatim.

Make sure you visit Ivoclar at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2025. Ivoclar will be in their usual spot at Grand Ballroom A&B in the East Tower, on the Gold Level. Right across from the registration desk.

Register today!

Make sure you come see VOICES FROM THE BENCH recording from the Ballroom all weekend!

Thanks to the AMAZING people at exocad, Elvis and Barb will be recording for the first time at IDS in Cologne, Germany. March 25 - 28 in Hall 1, booth A040/C041. Come see us, be on the podcast, and see all the amazing things exocad is doing for your lab!

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is paving the way for significant advancements in efficiency and patient care. In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with the innovative minds behind Dentscape AI, a company that is transforming the dental lab landscape.

Dentscape AI is not just another tech startup; it’s a groundbreaking solution designed specifically for dental labs. With their AI agent, dental technicians can now generate up to 100 crowns in just 10 minutes! This remarkable feat is achieved by simplifying workflows and reducing the workload of dental professionals, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks that require human creativity and expertise.

The conversation began with the introduction of the Dentscape team, including co-founders Bill Cho and Dr. Sylvie Liu. Sylvie, a practicing dentist and lecturer in digital dentistry, shared her journey from traditional dentistry to entrepreneurship. Her passion for the artistry of dentistry led her to seek innovative solutions that would not only enhance her practice but also address the pressing challenges faced by dental labs. Bill explained the three key pillars that support their AI model: high-quality data, advanced algorithms, and robust computing power. By partnering with large dental labs, Dentscape AI ensures that their models are trained on real-world data, allowing for accuracy and reliability in crown design. As Ryan Axelson, another key member of the Dentscape team, pointed out, their goal is to provide tools that empower technicians, allowing them to enhance their workflow and ultimately improve patient care.

You are invited to Ivoclar’s IPS e.max Panel Discussion Friday, February 22nd stating at 3:00 at LMT Lab Day in Chicago. Our very own Barb Warner will be on stage with Jessica Birrell, Stephenie Goddard, Mike Roberts, Jed Archibald and Dr. Ken Malament as they dive into the world of e.max. After the panel discussion, Ivoclar will host a Happy Hour to commemorate this 20-year milestone. So, please join us by registering at Labday.com/Ivoclar.

Make sure you visit Aidite at Booth E-26 during your visit at LMT Lab Day Chicago! They will be there showcasing their exciting new products and cutting-edge solutions in digital dentistry. Attendees can explore hands-on demonstrations of Biomic stain & glaze techniques and some of their other innovative technologies. Aidite will also host engaging lectures in Grand Suite 2, East Tower, covering topics such as EZneer, 3D Pro-Zir, Digital Dentures, and their Aidite Cloud design service. Even before you go, you can stay updated by following @AiditeNorthAmerica on all social media platforms. Don’t miss the opportunity to see how Aidite is shaping the future of dental labs!

Are you a dental lab in need of more talent to improve your bottom line and keep production on schedule? Are you a dental tech with great skills but feel you're being limited at your current lab? Well, the answer is here and this is precisely why WIN WIN GO was created. The dental lab and dental tech community needed a place where labs and technicians can meet, talk about their needs and connect in ways that foster a win win outcome. As a tech. If you're ready to make a change, thinking about moving in the next year or just curious what's out there, sign up today. It's totally free. As a lab, you might be feeling the frustration of paying the big employment site so much and getting so few tech candidates. We understand they don't much care about our industry. WINWINGO.com is simply the best place for lab techs and lab owners to actively engage in creating their ideal future. WINWINGO.com, how dental techs find paradise.

Special Guests: Bill Chou, Dr. Sylvie Liu, and Ryan Axelson.