Glidewell Laboratories is now offering a unique prescription-renewal service for two of its cosmetic products: Clear-Soft Bleaching Trays for Life and Clear-Lock Retainers for Life.
"For life" means that when either service is prescribed, Glidewell will digitally scan patient models and store the 3D digital data for 30 years, the company said. When new bleaching trays or retainers are needed, the dentist can send a faxed prescription to Glidewell requesting a replacement service for the patient.
At the lab, the digital data are recalled from storage and new master models are fabricated for the processing of the new bleaching trays or retainers. This frees the patient from having to make a return office visit for impressions. The dentist can simply charge a replacement fee and contact the lab for a new bleaching tray or retainer. Glidewell will, upon request, ship the replacement appliance directly to the patient.
"This new, convenient, lifetime replacement service for bleaching trays and retainers has been made possible by digital 3D scanning and manufacturing technology along with cost-effective cloud storage of patients' digital data," said Jim Shuck, vice president of sales and marketing at Glidewell Laboratories, in the release.
In the future, the lab expects to expand this service to allow prescription of some of its other oral appliances -- including Silent Nite, Comfort H/S Bite Splint, and PlaySafe sports mouthguards -- from the patient's digital data.
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