From Imaging to Reprocessing

Technological progress truly shows its worth when it delivers real, tangible benefits in practice. W&H is committed to this philosophy through intelligent connectivity and practical innovations. In our interview with Thomas Lang, Chief Technology Officer at W&H, we dive into the development process, explore current trends, and find out how the medical technology company's innovations are sustainably transforming the daily workflow of healthcare professionals.

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W&H is presenting a new imaging portfolio for the first time at IDS. What inspired the development of Seethrough?

The origin of the portfolio stems from our vision of being the go-to destination for all oral surgery needs and creating a seamless ecosystem. The step towards imaging was an obvious one, as almost every successful treatment starts with high-quality X-ray images. Our X-ray portfolio is the result of the tireless efforts of many creative minds, combined expertise and genuine passion. This product launch is a milestone that we have been striving for a long time – so we are particularly happy to finally present these products.

The optimisation of workflows is becoming increasingly important in dental practices. How does W&H contribute to making workflows more efficient? May you perhaps provide a specific example?

Today, digital support has become indispensable in many treatments. However, the variety of individual solutions can also present challenges for doctors – especially when seamless integration between devices is lacking. At W&H, our goal is to simplify our customers' day-to-day work – the key to this we find in connectivity.

This is exactly where our digital cloud platform ioDent^® comes in. With ioDent^®, workflows can be optimised and system or software transitions go unnoticed by users. Reliability is crucial in medical practices. That's why we not only offer high-quality products, but also enable proactive service with ioDent^®. By continuously monitoring connected devices, we can detect potential issues early and, ideally, prevent failures before they occur. The result: a seamless, workflow-driven practice environment that allows dental professionals to focus entirely on providing the best possible care for their patients – without unnecessary distractions.

New technologies are only successful if they offer genuine added value for users. How does W&H ensure that innovations are truly relevant in clinical practice?

At W&H, we take a two-pronged approach. On one hand, we have experienced research teams across various locations that are continuously driving innovation by advancing technologies, conducting targeted technology scouting, and collaborating closely with universities. On the other hand, our well-connected and competent product management team. Thanks to our long company history, which is characterised by close customer relationships, we know the needs of our users. Our success lies in combining these two strengths.

In your opinion, which trends are currently shaping the medical technology and dental industry? And how is W&H addressing them?

In the field of medical technology, I see several key developments: the advancing digitisation and artificial intelligence, minimally invasive and patient-individualised treatments as well as emerging fields like robotics, 3D printing, and bioprinting. In dentistry, the global trend is expected to shift even further toward aesthetic treatments in the coming years.

Our mission is to proactively address these trends with our solutions. We do this, for example, in implantology or maxillofacial surgery with our minimally invasive piezo solutions – and now also in the field of rhinoplasty. When it comes to digitisation, ioDent^® is our answer. Our aim is to drive forward technological innovations in a targeted manner and to offer our customers practical, forward-thinking solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. The future will undoubtedly bring further developments in these areas, making it all the more worthwhile keeping an eye on W&H.

Speaking of AI – what role does artificial intelligence play in current and future W&H products? Are there already specific applications in place?

I firmly believe that artificial intelligence, when used correctly, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of medicine and dentistry. This is why this technology also plays a central role in our products. Our Seethrough Studio imaging software already supports dentists with AI-driven features such as tooth segmentation and automatic nerve tracing. Looking ahead – without giving too much away – I can already say that we will see solutions that simplify diagnostics and shorten treatment times. This will benefit not only doctors but also their patients.

Where do you envision W&H in the next 10 years?

W&H is a medical technology company dedicated to providing doctors with efficient solutions, enabling patient-individualised treatments, and always prioritising clinical added value – both now and in the future. To put it bluntly: Because we consistently do the right thing, our success is the natural result.

To wrap things up, a personal question: What fascinates you most about medical technology?

After many years in the automotive industry, I made a deliberate decision to transition to medical technology. What continues to fascinate me is the relentless drive and innovation within this field, always focused on improving medical treatments for both patients and practitioners. In short, it's about making a positive impact!