Coffee Break with Coachman

From Novelty to Necessity: Why 2026 is the Year 3D Printing Finally Outpaced the Mill

In this episode of Coffee Break with Coachman, Christian Coachman speaks with Wally Renne, a dentist and educator who specializes in digital technology. They discuss the current state of 3D printing in 2026, which is the year that printing adoption officially moved ahead of chairside milling in the United States. The conversation focuses on the transition from using printers for simple models to implementing them for definitive clinical work, supported by the high scanner adoption rate of 78 percent among clinicians. * The technical shift from 405nm to 385nm light sources, which allows for more accurate margins and thinner restorations. * Why there is now "zero reason" to mill polymers, as modern resins offer better translucency and strength for daily use. * The clinical efficiency of printing ten veneers in eight minutes using high-heat and high-light curing cycles. * How 3D printed dentures are providing a better fit and more affordable care for the edentulous population. * The concept of "transitional restorations", which is a workflow that allows patients to "test drive" a full mouth rehabilitation before committing to final ceramics. * The financial reality of return on investment, where a complete printing system can often be paid for through a single multi-unit case. * The role of AI in automating simple designs while maintaining the necessary human element for complex smile makeovers. About the guest: Dr. Wally Renne is a dentist and educator, having previously served as Assistant Dean of Innovation and Director of the Digital Dentistry Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. After operating two clinical practices focused on digital dentistry and dentures, he founded The MOD Institute to provide training in 3D printing and digital workflows. He is an active researcher with multiple patents in dental materials and technology, focusing on conservative dentistry and predictable clinical outcomes.

#56 Fix Your Dental Lab Headaches: A 4-Step Solution with Christian Coachman

s your dental lab relationship a source of frustration, wasted time, and inconsistent results? In this episode, dental innovator Christian Coachman offers a powerful, pragmatic framework to solve these common problems. He breaks down the four critical moments of dentist-lab collaboration, revealing how to: * Diagnose & plan more effectively: Ensure you and your lab are on the same page from day one. * Eliminate common errors: Learn how digital tools can prevent frustrating re-dos and miscommunications. * Get predictable results: Discover the "copy-paste" concept that ensures your approved design is exactly what you get. * Become a lab's "top 5%" dentist: Understand what your lab wishes it could tell you and how to build a better, more efficient partnership. If you're looking for actionable steps to improve your workflow, reduce stress, and get superior results for your patients, this episode is for you.

#55 From Dentistry to Design: Christian Coachman on Quality, Technology, and the Future

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Scott and Jinesh from the Open Wide Podcast and share my journey, the unconventional path that brought me to where I am today. We talked about the evolution of Digital Smile Design, the balance between quality and scale, and why I believe in always aiming for gold-standard dentistry. I also shared my thoughts on how technology is reshaping our profession and spoke about my more recent role as a strategic investor. It was a rich and honest conversation, and I hope listeners find inspiration in the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Learn more about the Open Wide Podcast and Dr. Scott Drucker and Jinesh Patel: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WH3H1A2OzlgYj7wD1XiZd?si=ede017e94fd3487a

#54 Dentistry 2040: Will we still have a job? With Dr Nitzan Bichacho

In this episode, I’m joined by one of the true legends of our profession: Dr. Nitzan Bichacho. If you’ve studied or worked in prosthodontics, dental implants, or complex aesthetic rehabilitation, you’ve likely been influenced by his work, whether you know it or not. Professor at the Hebrew University and Hadassah in Jerusalem, former president of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and a pioneer behind countless treatment techniques and implant systems, Dr. Bichacho has shaped dentistry as we know it. Together, we tackle a big, provocative question: Dentistry 2040: Will we still have a job? We explore how AI and technology are changing our profession, the incredible opportunities they create, the dangers of over-reliance, and most importantly… the human skills that no machine will ever replace. If you’ve ever wondered where our profession is headed and how to stay relevant and irreplaceable, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Dr Nitzan: https://bichacho.clinic/about-us/

#53 Smile Design, ceramics and tech powered smiles: introducing the new DSD x Vita alliance

Christian Coachman sits down with Michael Tholey, Head of Education at Vita, to dive into the game‑changing world of digital dentures, high‑performance ceramics and the science behind simpler, smarter workflows. Michael shares insights from two decades at Vita, his role as Vice‑President of PROSEC, and why teaming up with DSD is a perfect fit for technicians and dentists alike. Tune in to hear how the new DSD × Vita collaborative partnership is reshaping restorative dentistry. https://digitalsmiledesign.com/ https://www.vita-zahnfabrik.com/