My Story

45 Years, From Vulcanite to Photogrammetry: A Life in Dental Technology

Looking back on my career, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come and how much the field of
dentistry has changed. Dentistry has always been a changing profession, but the speed of
innovation I’ve seen over the years is incredible. From fixing Vulcanite dentures in my parents’
basement to adopting digital workflows with photogrammetry and 3D printing, I’ve been lucky
to witness one of the most transformative periods in dental technology. My journey is marked by
late nights, continuous learning, and a strong drive to improve patient outcomes.

Humble Beginnings

My journey started with the unwavering support of my parents, who let me set up my first workspace in their basement. I had just graduated from Triton College’s Dental Laboratory program at the age of nineteen, alongside classmates William Mrazek, Paul Nadeau, and Jesse Barreda, with whom I remain lifelong friends. I was young, eager, and not always as skilled as I believed, but I had energy and passion. Wayne Szara Sr. and Al Micinnor were my instructors in Dental Technology School. Al Micinnor made me reconsider becoming a Laboratory Technician. I was a know-it-all at first in school. I was ready to submit my 16-week project in crown and bridge, which included multiple bridges with facings, inlays, and onlays. I dropped it and broke the models on my way to the front desk to submit it a day early. Mr. M looked down at the broken articulation, pulled his glasses down over his nose. I thought he would praise me, but instead, he said, “Collis, this is what they call a remake.” You will fail tomorrow if this is not redone on new models. He walked away and laughed. I have always been competitive, so in my mind, he threw down a challenge. On the way home that night, I stopped at a drugstore, bought a Zippo lighter and plenty of fuel. I stayed up all night and redid everything. From the new models I poured before leaving school. I spoke with the janitor, and he let me in at 5:00 a.m. I invested the cases, recast everything, and polished the bridges. Long story short, he passed me with a C. Pressure, he said, is what this business is all about.

One of my earliest experiences in my first lab job involved working with a Vulcanite denture, a material made of hardened rubber (similar to car tires) that was phased out years ago in favor of polymethacrylate. Vulcanite dentures were almost indestructible, but resin and porcelain teeth often popped off because they couldn’t chemically bond to the base. One day, while adding a tooth, the denture slipped off my bench, bounced on the tile floor, and landed back in my hand just as the owner walked by. Without missing a beat, he joked that I should try out for the Chicago White Sox or Cubs, because I probably wouldn’t make it as a dental technician. The entire lab burst into laughter, and from that day, I was known as “Outfield Jim.”

That moment of levity was paired with moments of awe. I still remember my first implant case: a Subperiosteal Implant Cage. The surgeon opened the ridge, took an impression of the bone, and we fabricated a custom metal webbing with four ball posts that extended above the tissue. Once healed, the denture was made to fit over the posts with a soft liner. The pressure, the responsibility, and the knowledge that our work could change a life were humbling. It taught me that technicians were more than background players. Even if the respect wasn’t there yet, the importance of our craft was undeniable.

The Northwestern Years: Learning and Teaching

Eager to grow, I left a commercial lab after a year and joined Northwestern University Dental School. There, I established myself as a lab instructor for 230 dental students at the age of 21. Under the guidance of Dr. Ross Taylor and Edd Leatherberry CDT, they mentored me in every sense of the word. Patient yet demanding, they challenged me to raise my standards.

During the day, I taught and demonstrated laboratory work to students at the school. At night, I went back to my parents’ basement, where I started Collis Prosthodontic Lab with a dental student Gary Horblit, who later became a board-certified prosthodontist and lifelong teacher. Those years were tough. Many nights, I never left the lab. I remember dropping off cases through the back door for a Special Service Delivery driver, Bill's route, at 2 a.m., so they would be delivered first thing. Driving home at three a.m., I’d see the lights on in my friend Olivia’s lab and pull over. We would laugh together, knowing only dental technicians were awake then, and lament how invisible our profession often felt to the outside world.

Building My Lab: Growth and Hard Choices

Over time, my basement lab grew into a 2,000-square-foot facility. I had to leave the university, teary-eyed. I said my goodbyes to many friends, including instructors and students. I loved my job there, but I had to move on and evolve. At one point, I employed eight people, which, by most standards, signaled success. However, I learned something important about myself: I preferred working directly on complex, demanding cases rather than managing a large team. I downsized to a smaller operation, working with Rick and later Mike, focusing on implants and intricate prosthodontic cases that required the highest level of precision.

This decision distinguished me and opened new opportunities. My work attracted the attention of dental companies, who invited me to give lectures, demonstrate products, and share my expertise. What began in a basement expanded into invitations to lecture and teach across the country and eventually worldwide.

The Digital Shift: From Desktop to Intraoral

As my career progressed, the industry evolved too. I saw the emergence of CAD/CAM and the early challenges with zirconia crowns. Initially, zirconia chipped, layering was uneven, and bonding techniques were frustrating. But as materials improved, our confidence in them grew. The pioneers persevered.

The introduction of digital desktop scanners marked a turning point. Suddenly, we could digitize impressions, designs, and models in ways that felt futuristic for the time. Those scanners were bulky and expensive, accessible only to large labs. Yet they hinted at what was possible, and I knew the industry was on the verge of transformation.

Not long after, intraoral scanners became common. The idea that dentists could capture digital impressions right at the chairside was groundbreaking. While there was a steep learning curve, it connected the clinic and lab more seamlessly, making collaboration smoother, quicker, and more precise. I fully embraced this change once removable appliances could be designed digitally, determined to stay ahead rather than fall behind.

Photogrammetry and 3D Printing: The New Frontier

And now, we are in the era of photogrammetry and advanced 3D printing. Photogrammetry has transformed the field of full-arch and All-on-X restorations, providing unmatched accuracy and solving many challenges linked to traditional analog methods. Designing an All-on-X case on a computer, milling it, or even printing it with today’s resins is light-years ahead of where we started.

The rise of 3D printing, in particular, has revolutionized the removable sector. Early resins had limitations, but today’s materials are durable, biocompatible, and safe. No more monomer odors, no more headaches at the end of the day, just efficient, clean, and reliable processes. What once took hours with many steps, or even days, can now be done with a streamlined digital workflow in a few hours or less.

From repairing rubber-based dentures that bounced off tile floors to watching a perfectly printed denture emerges from a printer bed, I have experienced a transformation that still amazes me.

Reflections on Sacrifice and Resilience

It wouldn't be very ethical to portray the journey as easy. There were countless sacrifices, nights sleeping on a lab bench, missing family time, and pushing through exhaustion just to ensure cases were completed on schedule. However, these sacrifices also built resilience. They fostered a deep respect for the profession and for the technicians who quietly bear the responsibility of patient outcomes.

I have also learned that respect for our field is hard-earned and often uneven. I still find it perplexing that dental assistants (no disrespect) with minimal training can legally take impressions, while seasoned technicians cannot, except in states that recognize denturists. That imbalance has never sat right with me. But I do see progress. The recognition of denturists in certain states is a step forward, and the visibility of technicians has increased alongside the digital revolution.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Dental Technology

So, where do we go from here? I believe the future will feature a dual landscape. Large production labs and digital centers will handle high-volume work quickly and efficiently. At the same time, smaller boutique labs will also thrive, focusing on artistry, customization, and complex cases that need a human touch. Both will have a place and will shape the next chapter of dentistry. We are heading toward more integrated workflows, where intraoral scanners, photogrammetry, CAD design, milling, and 3D printing work smoothly together with AI. Materials will keep improving, making appliances lighter, stronger, and longer-lasting. Artificial intelligence will likely play a larger role in design, diagnostics, and even treatment planning. Throughout it all, technicians will stay at the center, combining craftsmanship with technology, artistry with science.

When I reflect on my career in this industry, I see a journey that begins with boiling denture bases in a pot on my mother's stove, then moves to working in my parents’ basement, and now involves digitally designing All-on-X restorations with photogrammetry. It’s a story of progress, innovation, and perseverance. Although I’ve experienced a lot, I believe the most exciting changes are still to come. Dentistry is constantly evolving, and we must evolve with it.

We are no longer Lab guys or Lab girls, “We are oral designers”.

A Passion for Prosthetics

My passion for dental technology comes from decades of hands-on experience, problem-solving, and the pure joy of helping people regain confidence through their creativity and creating smiles. I’ve seen how both traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation can change lives, not just for patients but also for the professionals who serve them. Whether you're a dental technician, clinician, assistant, or hygienist, I believe you deserve support, clarity, and practical tools that work in the real world. That’s why I teach, share, and collaborate to help others improve their work, reduce stress, and succeed, whether they’re working with wax and stone or using scanning and printing technologies. This field has given me a lifetime of purpose, and my mission is to give back by making your path forward easier, more straightforward, and more rewarding.

Educating the Next Generation

For ten years, I served as a faculty instructor at Northwestern University Dental School. My commitment to shaping future dental professionals was recognized when I received the Excellence in Education Award in 2018.

Sharing My Knowledge

I have led lectures and hands-on clinics across the United States, Canada, and Germany. My presentations share my extensive knowledge of prosthetics and techniques with fellow professionals, fostering industry-wide growth.

Trusted Industry Consultant

I have been a consultant for major industry companies like Vident, GC America, and Renfert USA. In this role, I provide expert guidance on products and techniques, helping to drive innovation and quality forward.

Decades of Dedication

I hold a degree in Dental Technology from Triton College. I have been a Certified Dental Technologist for over 45 years, a testament to my commitment to the profession and my continued pursuit of excellence.

Increasing Your Profitability

My services help both new and established dental labs and clinics. I improve profitability by streamlining workflows, refining procedures, and developing new products to attract clients and patients.

Customized On-Site Training

I specialize in providing personalized, on-site training programs that cater specifically to the needs of dental technicians, dental assistants, hygienists, and clinicians. Whether you're seeking to master traditional analog techniques or integrate the latest advancements in digital 3D printing into your dental laboratory or dental practice.

My training sessions focus on enhancing skills in fabricating dentures, partials, night guards, and other appliances.

Transitioning Into 3-D Printing

I support both Fixed and Removable labs transitioning into 3D Printing. This is how I partner with dental laboratories to help them successfully integrate 3D printing into their production workflows. Whether you’re looking to add digital capabilities or streamline your existing process, I can guide you in selecting the right printers, resins, and design software to fit your lab’s needs. Together, we’ll create efficient digital workflows for your removable appliances.

Bringing Digital Dentistry to Your Laboratory or Practice

I work directly with dentists and denturists to make the transition into digital production smooth, efficient, and rewarding. Whether you’re new to 3D printing or looking to refine your existing setup, I can help you select the right equipment, materials, and software for your specific workflow. Together, we’ll develop practical, step-by-step systems for producing models, night guards, dentures, and other appliances right in your office.

Research & Development

I collaborate with dental manufacturers and supply companies to support research and development, drawing on over four decades of hands-on experience in the laboratory and clinical environments. I’ve worked extensively in product evaluation, workflow testing, and field validation for new materials such as dental resins, composite systems, denture teeth, and 3D printing workflows. My feedback is based on real-world performance, how products behave in the lab, at the bench, and in real world applications.

My Partners and Friends'

These are not just my partners, they're my trusted friends and allies in the dental industry. I've had the privilege of working closely with each of them for many years, and I'm excited to introduce you to this exceptional group. Some have become like family, steadfast and reliable.

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