Dental News - Three questions for Rik Jacobs, Vertex-Dental

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 6. April 2017

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Vertex-Dental, a leading manufacturer of dental products and materials, was recently acquired by global solutions company 3D Systems. The 2017 International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne in Germany saw the launch of the Figure 4 production platform, which combines Vertex-Dental’s materials with 3D Systems’ technology to provide mass customisable dental parts faster and more accurately than ever before. Dental Tribune Online asked Vertex-Dental CEO Rik Jacobs three quick questions about the company’s future and his experience at IDS.

Vertex-Dental was recently acquired by 3D Systems. How has this changed your approach to digital dentistry?
The main reason for the acquisition was the combination of the Figure 4 technology with our wide range of biocompatible materials. What I foresee is that, within two years from this point, digital dentistry will be focused on providing solutions as rapidly as possible. Laboratories want to have their own full CAD/CAM solutions, and speed will determine their profitability. Vertex and 3D Systems have combined to offer the fastest dental technology by far.

How fast is it, and is the quality maintained?
One can print a platform of 30–40 crowns in just 9 minutes, making this an ideal solution for larger dental laboratories. There is also a reduction in operating cost, as less labour is needed to maintain the same high level of production. Additionally, the quality is actually even better now. The Figure 4 platform prints so quickly and accurately, with such aesthetically pleasing results, that it really does set the standard for 3-D printing in dentistry.

How has IDS 2017 been for Vertex-Dental?
It has just been a crazy time, an incredibly busy few days. The booth has been constantly packed with customers and it has surpassed all my expectations. There is an urgent need in the dental market for the solutions that we offer, and so we have had a busy but successful IDS 2017.