North Texas Dentistry Volume 5 Issue 4 | Page 8

Fuji’s professional team combines sophisticated technology and skilled artistry to provide quality restorations that are totally made in the USA. DENTAL LABORATORY still depends on the artistry and skilled hands of top ceramists. A crown is not satisfactory straight out of the milling machine, although about 85% of the process is completed with great accuracy in the mill. The rest is artistry. “Appreciate the little things… because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Kurt Vonnegut The time-saving efficiency of the mill frees the technician to complete the finish work slowly and deliberately, without the stress of production pressure. This allows the technician to focus on the ‘little things’ – refining occlusion, defining anatomy, and perfecting precise, natural contours and concave necks – that make a key difference in the end product. Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios Only a few labs can afford to make this kind of massive investment in high-tech equipment. Among those who can, fewer still The precision and efficiency afforded by state-of-the-art scanners enables Fuji to control costs and remain competitive in pricing. 8 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com have an elite team of Master Ceramists on staff. The talent and experience of Fuji’s skilled technicians provides the foundation for restorations with superior beauty and performance. Every detail matters. Yuji Ono notes, “Good broad contacts are a must. Where good contacts are established, occlusion is adjusted to relieve any contact on posterior inclines and the small, lifelike cusp tips are placed on 90-degree stops. Where needed, contours can be adjusted. This approach results in a crown that replicates the beauty found in nature.” When it comes to the bottom line, Fuji’s financial commitment to the future has enabled them to improve quality, boost consistency and shorten turnaround times. In fact, the precision and efficiency afforded by state-of-the-art scanners, software and milling machines, and new materials like zirconia and lithium disilicate enables Fuji to control costs and offer prices that are still competitive, even in a marketplace where low-cost dental restorations from Mexico, China, and Hong Kong are common. Studies have documented that 67% of dental labs utilize offshore sources, and that figure is most likely underreported. At a time when other dental labs feel threatened by outsourcing, Fuji is secure in the knowledge that they can compete. Kip Estep chose the name “Fuji” to reflect the laboratory’s focus on excellence and to attract doctors and personnel who share his goals. Fuji is proud that their products are American-made, and proud of the skilled U.S. jobs the laboratory creates. “Fuji will never outsource any portion of our work to a foreign lab because we can beat them by a mile. There are too many advantages to keeping our laboratory here in the USA. Restorations manufactured in China fill a demand for the lowest price, but dentists find that the quality, communication, 2-3 weeks turnaround time, consistency, and reliability often leave