Great Lakes Dental Technologies, a trailblazer in the dental industry, stands out as an employee-owned company with a steadfast commitment to advancing orthodontic, dental, and sleep/airway solutions. With over 270 dedicated employee-owners, the company designs, develops, and manufactures innovative products that empower dental professionals worldwide. Headquartered in Tonawanda, New York, Great Lakes Dental Technologies has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology over its 50-year history, making it one of North America’s largest orthodontic laboratories.
Innovative dental solutions are critical for modern dental practices and laboratories striving to enhance patient outcomes and streamline operations. From custom appliances to advanced digital tools, the right products can transform efficiency, improve care, and elevate practice success. Great Lakes Dental Technologies meets these needs by offering over 4,000 products and services, tailored to the evolving demands of dental professionals.
This article delves into the rich history of Great Lakes Dental Technologies, explores its diverse product portfolio, and highlights the unique value it brings to dental professionals, emphasizing why it remains a trusted partner in the industry.
The Legacy of Great Lakes Dental Technologies
Great Lakes Dental Technologies, originally founded over 50 years ago as Great Lakes Orthodontics, has grown from a regional orthodontic lab into a global leader in dental technology. Established in Tonawanda, New York, the company has remained true to its roots while expanding its reach to serve dental clinicians worldwide. Its evolution reflects a commitment to excellence, driven by a passion for improving dental care through innovation and precision.
As an employee-owned enterprise, Great Lakes Dental Technologies boasts a workforce of over 270 dedicated team members who share a stake in the company’s success. This unique ownership model fosters a culture of accountability, quality, and collaboration, ensuring that every product and service meets the highest standards. Each employee-owner is invested in delivering solutions that empower dental professionals to achieve outstanding patient outcomes.
From its state-of-the-art facility in Tonawanda, NY, Great Lakes Dental Technologies designs and manufactures a vast array of products for orthodontics, general dentistry, and sleep/airway markets. By combining decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology, the company continues to set benchmarks in the industry, solidifying its legacy as a trusted partner for dental clinicians globally.
Comprehensive Product Offerings
Great Lakes Dental Technologies delivers an extensive portfolio of over 4,000 products, designed to meet the diverse needs of dental professionals across orthodontics, sleep/airway solutions, and dental lab operations. This comprehensive range empowers practices and labs to provide high-quality care with efficiency and precision, reinforcing the company’s position as an industry leader.
Orthodontic Appliances: Great Lakes Dental Technologies offers a vast selection of orthodontic solutions, including retainers, clear aligners, and splints. These custom-crafted appliances cater to a variety of patient needs, from alignment correction to post-treatment retention. With a focus on precision and patient comfort, their orthodontic products help clinicians deliver consistent, reliable results, enhancing both practice reputation and patient satisfaction.
Sleep and Airway Solutions: Addressing the growing demand for sleep and airway treatments, Great Lakes provides innovative devices for conditions like sleep apnea and temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Through a strategic partnership with OrthoApnea, the company offers advanced oral appliances that improve airway function and patient quality of life. These solutions are designed for seamless integration into dental practices, enabling clinicians to expand their service offerings.
Dental Lab Supplies: Great Lakes Dental Technologies equips dental labs with a comprehensive array of tools and materials for in-house fabrication. From digital impression systems to high-quality resins and finishing kits, these supplies enable labs to produce appliances with greater control, reduced costs, and faster turnaround times. This empowers practices to optimize workflows and meet patient demands efficiently.
Digital Portal for Seamless Workflow
Great Lakes Dental Technologies offers a state-of-the-art digital portal at upload.greatlakesortho.com, designed to simplify 3D file uploads and case management for dental professionals. This secure, user-friendly platform streamlines the submission of digital impressions and case details, enabling practices and labs to collaborate efficiently with Great Lakes’ team. By integrating advanced technology, the portal ensures a seamless workflow from case submission to appliance delivery.
Benefits: The digital portal transforms the case management process by enhancing communication, reducing turnaround times, and improving precision. Dental professionals can upload .stl files directly, track case progress in real-time, and communicate with Great Lakes’ lab team, eliminating delays associated with traditional methods. The portal’s secure encryption safeguards patient data, while its intuitive interface minimizes errors, ensuring appliances are crafted with exact specifications for optimal patient outcomes.
How to Get Started: To begin usingłos the portal, visit upload.greatlakesortho.com and request access via the “Request Access” link. Once approved, log in with your credentials, create an electronic signature for your practice, and start uploading .stl files by selecting “Add Files” or dragging them into the portal. Specify delivery dates if needed, save the case, and monitor upload progress without navigating away. For assistance, contact Great Lakes’ customer service at 800-828-7626 ext. 132 (U.S. & Canada) or email digital@greatlakesdentaltech.com.
Training and Education
Great Lakes Dental Technologies is committed to empowering dental professionals through robust in-house training programs tailored for dental technicians and orthodontists. These programs are designed to enhance skills, boost confidence, and keep practitioners at the forefront of industry advancements. By offering hands-on learning experiences, Great Lakes ensures that its clients are equipped to deliver exceptional patient care using the latest techniques and technologies.
The company provides a diverse range of courses covering critical areas such as appliance fabrication, digital workflows, and sleep apnea solutions. Participants learn to craft precision orthodontic appliances, navigate cutting-edge digital tools like 3D scanning and printing, and implement effective treatments for sleep-related disorders. Each course combines practical instruction with real-world applications, enabling attendees to immediately apply their knowledge in their practices or labs.
Great Lakes Dental Technologies strengthens its educational offerings through strategic collaborations with industry leaders, ensuring that its curriculum reflects the most current standards and innovations. These partnerships provide access to expert insights and emerging trends, keeping dental professionals ahead of the curve. Whether a novice technician or a seasoned orthodontist, Great Lakes’ training programs deliver unparalleled value for career growth and practice success.
Why Choose Great Lakes Dental Technologies?
Great Lakes Dental Technologies stands as a premier choice for dental professionals seeking unparalleled quality, innovation, and support. Based in Tonawanda, NY, this employee-owned company has earned a global reputation as a trusted partner for orthodontic, dental, and sleep/airway solutions, delivering exceptional value to practices and labs worldwide.
Quality and Reliability: Great Lakes Dental Technologies is synonymous with consistent excellence, providing over 4,000 meticulously crafted products that meet the highest industry standards. From custom retainers to advanced sleep apnea devices, every item is designed for durability and precision, ensuring dental professionals can rely on superior outcomes for their patients. This commitment to quality has made Great Lakes a go-to dental lab in Tonawanda, NY, and beyond.
Innovation: As a pioneer in the field, Great Lakes drives advancements in orthodontics and sleep/airway markets. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like digital workflows and 3D printing, the company delivers innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and patient care. Strategic partnerships, such as with OrthoApnea, further solidify its leadership in developing forward-thinking products tailored to modern dental needs.
Customer Support: Great Lakes prioritizes its clients with a dedicated support team ready to assist via phone (800-828-7626) or email. With same-day shipping for in-stock products ordered before 12:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday, the company ensures rapid delivery to keep practices running smoothly. This customer-centric approach, combined with its Tonawanda, NY headquarters, makes Great Lakes an accessible and dependable partner.
Case Studies: Success with Great Lakes
Great Lakes Dental Technologies empowers dental professionals with innovative tools and solutions, as demonstrated by real-world success stories. These case studies highlight how the company’s digital portal and sleep apnea devices have transformed practices and improved patient care.
Example 1: Streamlining Operations with the Digital Portal
A mid-sized dental practice in Ohio struggled with lengthy case submission processes and communication delays with their previous lab. By adopting Great Lakes Dental Technologies’ digital portal at upload.greatlakesortho.com, the practice revolutionized its workflow. The team began uploading 3D .stl files directly, tracking case progress in real-time, and communicating seamlessly with Great Lakes’ lab. This reduced turnaround times by 40%, allowing the practice to handle more cases efficiently. The portal’s precision also minimized errors, ensuring appliances like retainers and aligners fit perfectly, boosting patient satisfaction and practice productivity.
Example 2: Improving Patient Outcomes with Sleep Apnea Devices
An orthodontist in California sought to expand services to include sleep apnea treatment but needed reliable, high-quality devices. Partnering with Great Lakes Dental Technologies, the orthodontist integrated sleep apnea dental devices, including those developed with OrthoApnea, into their practice. These custom appliances, designed for optimal airway support, significantly improved patient sleep quality and reduced symptoms for dozens of patients within six months. The orthodontist reported a 30% increase in patient referrals due to successful outcomes, establishing their practice as a trusted provider for sleep apnea solutions.
How Great Lakes Supports Your Practice
Great Lakes Dental Technologies is a dedicated partner for dental practices and labs, offering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, elevate patient care, and foster long-term trust. With a focus on quality and collaboration, the company empowers clinicians to achieve exceptional results while streamlining operations.
Enhancing Efficiency with In-House Fabrication and Digital Tools
Great Lakes equips practices with advanced tools and materials for in-house fabrication, reducing reliance on external labs and cutting costs. Their comprehensive range of supplies, from resins to digital impression systems, enables labs to produce appliances quickly and accurately. The digital portal at upload.greatlakesortho.com further streamlines workflows by allowing seamless 3D file uploads and real-time case tracking. These tools help practices save time, improve turnaround, and maintain control over production processes.
Boosting Patient Satisfaction with High-Quality, Custom Appliances
Great Lakes’ portfolio of over 4,000 custom appliances, including retainers, aligners, and sleep apnea devices, is crafted with precision to ensure optimal fit and function. These high-quality products deliver consistent results, enhancing patient comfort and treatment success. Whether addressing orthodontic needs or sleep-related conditions, Great Lakes’ appliances contribute to improved outcomes, leading to higher patient satisfaction and increased loyalty to the practice.
Building Trust Through Partnerships with Clinicians and Labs
Great Lakes fosters strong, collaborative relationships with dental professionals, acting as an extension of their teams. By offering personalized support, same-day shipping for in-stock orders, and cutting-edge training programs, the company builds trust and reliability. Strategic partnerships, such as with OrthoApnea, ensure clinicians have access to the latest innovations, reinforcing Great Lakes’ commitment to advancing dental care alongside its clients.
Conclusion
Great Lakes Dental Technologies stands as a trusted partner for dental professionals, delivering innovative orthodontic, dental, and sleep/airway solutions. With over 50 years of expertise, an employee-owned commitment to quality, and a portfolio of 4,000+ products, the company empowers practices and labs to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes. From advanced digital tools like the upload.greatlakesortho.com portal to custom appliances and comprehensive training, Great Lakes drives success for clinicians worldwide.
Ready to elevate your practice? Visit greatlakesdentaltech.com to explore their offerings, sign up for the digital portal at upload.greatlakesortho.com, or call 800-828-7626 for personalized support. Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below—we’d love to hear how Great Lakes has impacted your practice!
FAQs
What is Great Lakes Dental Technologies known for?
Great Lakes Dental Technologies is renowned for its high-quality orthodontic appliances, sleep apnea dental devices, and dental lab supplies, serving clinicians globally with innovative, reliable solutions.
How can I access the digital portal?
Visit upload.greatlakesortho.com, request access, and log in to upload 3D .stl files and manage cases. Contact digital@greatlakesdentaltech.com for assistance.
What types of training does Great Lakes offer?
Great Lakes provides in-house training on appliance fabrication, digital workflows, and sleep apnea solutions, designed for dental technicians and orthodontists, with expert-led courses.
Are Great Lakes products suitable for sleep apnea treatment?
Yes, Great Lakes offers advanced sleep apnea dental devices, including those partnered with OrthoApnea, designed to improve airway function and treat sleep-related conditions effectively.
Author
Welcome to my blog! I’m Daniel J Morgan, and I cover a wide range of topics, from lifestyle and technology to entertainment, travel, and everything in between. Whether you’re here for tips, insights, or just an interesting read, my goal is to provide engaging content for all interests. Explore, enjoy, and feel free to connect!