Glidewell Positions AI-Driven Manufacturing as Core to Dental Lab Workflow

Glidewell Dental is expanding its use of artificial intelligence and automation across its lab operations, positioning what it calls “Intelligent Manufacturing” as a fully integrated production system for restorative dentistry. The company, founded in 1970 and now one of the largest dental laboratories globally, produces crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants at scale for dentists worldwide.

The model builds on Glidewell’s long-standing focus on vertical integration, where it designs, manufactures, and delivers restorations within a single system. This approach allows the company to control cost, quality, and turnaround time while reducing reliance on external suppliers.

The latest iteration extends that system with AI-driven design tools, automated production lines, and cloud-based orchestration. According to Glidewell, the workflow begins with digital or physical impressions, moves through AI-assisted modeling, and ends in largely hands-free manufacturing.

This shift reflects a broader move across industries where AI is applied to coordinate complex, high-volume operations. In supply chain, companies such as Medline are testing AI-driven warehouse automation systems to manage throughput and logistics in real time