Glidewell Dental announced the opening of Glidewell Colombia, the company’s first dental laboratory in South America. Situated in Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, the new laboratory grants South American dentists access to modern, clinically proven restorative materials at an affordable price point, according to a press release.

"Glidewell Dental’s long-standing mission has been to reduce the cost-associated barriers that limit access to high-quality restorative dentistry," the release says. "Over the company’s 46-year history, it has worked with more than 100,000 dentists and 7,000 dental laboratories in the United States. The knowledge gained through these relationships has given Glidewell Dental a unique perspective, insight the company’s 150-person-strong Research and Development department relies upon in the creation of new materials, technologies and techniques."

In 2011, the company expanded to the international marketplace with the founding of Glidewell Europe, GmbH, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

"The European dental lab benefits from the decades-honed expertise of the U.S. lab while respecting the distinct industry parameters of clinicians in Germany," the release says. "Glidewell Europe enables European dentists to prescribe the award-winning, clinically proven BruxZir® Solid Zirconia as well as a multitude of other computer-assured restorative materials.

"Glidewell Colombia brings forth the same opportunities for dentists in South America."

The Colombian laboratory represents Glidewell Dental’s second foray into the Latin American marketplace, joining facilities located in Costa Rica.

"Dentists there have been overwhelming receptive of the affordable, high-quality restorations provided," the release says. "The lessons learned in Costa Rica have greatly supported the establishment of the Colombian laboratory. Glidewell Dental invites Colombian dentists to test the new lab’s services and products to experience the benefits firsthand."