Digital Milling Equipment Provides Solutions for Simple and Complex Dental Needs

Dr. Carlo Ercoli of the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) is not only the chairman and program director of the Prosthodontics Postgraduate Training Program, he is also a specialist in both prosthodontics and periodontics. In addition, he conducts research and treats patients in the Institute’s clinic.  “My background allows me a 360-degree view on the process of dentistry,” he says.

“I believe Roland DG dental mills' excellent quality and reasonable cost make them a good investment for any lab or clinical environment.”

Installing State-of-the-Art Technology

EIOH brought in its first Roland DG dental mill in 2012. Today, their lab features both the Roland DG DWX-51D five-axis dental milling machine and the DWX-4W wet dental mill, which were loaned to the Department to contribute to the residents’ education. 

EIOH clinics receive approximately 150,000 dental visits each year.  In addition to clients from Rochester and its surrounding communities, Dr. Ercoli and his colleagues also work with the University’s Strong Memorial Hospital to assist patients there.  “We can treat everything from a slightly damaged tooth to a full jaw replacement,” he said.

The clinic uses its two Roland DG dental mills to produce the majority of its restorations.  “I believe Roland DG dental mills’ excellent quality and reasonable cost make them a good investment for any lab or clinical environment,” said Dr. Ercoli. 

The majority of the restorations produced at EIOH are fixed, but around 30 percent are removable.  In addition, the clinic’s dental appliance unit also works with the University’s Sleep Disorder Lab to produce both night guards and sleep apnea devices.

Prepared with Precision 

“Both the DWX-51D and the DWX-4W are very precise, and require very little maintenance,” said Dr. Ercoli.  “Equipped with both wet and dry mills, we are able to handle almost any kind of milled restoration.” 

Dr. Ercoli estimates that EIOH’s milled restoration output is split equally between the wet and dry mills.  The DWX-51D allows five-axis milling of zirconia, wax, PMMA, composite resin, PEEK and gypsum, while the DWX-4W enables wet milling of glass ceramic and composite resins such as lithium disilicate.

In recent years, the EIOH clinic has incorporated a digital workflow, which significantly shortens the production cycle. “Patients want to have the benefits of the latest technology, and so do we,” said Dr. Ercoli. “Because the Roland DG mills have open architecture, our design and fabrication software function perfectly.”