User-friendliness is key

Are you looking for a new, efficient and user-friendly ceramic furnace? If so, you will be interested to learn about the experiences of your peers on this topic. Thomas Furter, a dental technician and laboratory owner from Bern in Switzerland, had the opportunity to test the P710 furnace during its development phase. He contributed many helpful suggestions for its refinement. In the following interview, he talks about his experiences with this high-tech machine. Read on!

Mr Furter, what spontaneously comes to mind when you think about the Programat P710?

Thomas Furter: This ceramic furnace is extremely user-friendly. It is very easy to program in just three quick steps due to the straightforward control panel with the colourful tiles. It can’t get any easier.

Which furnace detail do you like the best?

Thomas Furter: I think the night program and the timer function are the greatest. They let me operate the furnace at night. The restoration is completely fired and then the furnace cools down by itself. Everything is finished by the next morning. This is a very important detail.

You also contributed suggestions on how to optimize the furnace during its development…

Thomas Furter: That’s right. I had the privilege of testing the furnace during its development phase and making suggestions to further enhance it. These suggestions were taken seriously and implemented accordingly. An example: In the development of the Programat P510, an option was given during the test phase to set the gloss level. However, when the furnace went into serial production, this option was not further pursued. Nevertheless, Ivoclar Vivadent introduced it as a standard feature in the Programat P710.

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What else do you like about the Programat P710?

Thomas Furter: The app for iPhone and iPad, which allows me to check the firing status within the range of my wireless local area network even in the furthest corners of my laboratory and far from the visual range of the furnace. I also like the fact that I can determine the tooth shade with the help of the furnace – with digital means using a photograph. This is user friendly and reliable. The importance of tooth shade determination is often underestimated. However, it is an extremely important part of the process. Of course, it would also be great, if the furnace could do the ceramic layering for us (laughs). Just joking!

I also like the app for the furnace which allows me to see the firing curve. I select the suitable program, look at the firing curve and I know that it’s right. The danger of choosing an unsuitable program is therefore eliminated.

Finally, I would like to point out the telephone function. It allows me to make and take calls while I’m at my ceramics work station. I don’t have to pick up and hold my mobile phone to talk. I can continue to work while the caller informs me about important details – a brilliant idea, which makes my life easier.

Programat technology has made history. Make sure to read our extensive anniversary brochure.

Programat is a registered trademark of Ivoclar Vivadent AG. The availability of certain products may vary from country to country.