Strong partners remain true to each other: dentona and Aidite extend cooperation

When a modern, traditional company from the Ruhr region and a Chinese technology leader put their heads together, sometimes the most exciting success stories are born. This is also the case with dentona and Aidite: What began a few years ago as a courageous German-Chinese co-operation has developed into a real success story. The six-year partnership, which has just been extended for the long term, combines German dental technology experience and quality standards with innovative strength and production power. In this interview, dentona CEO Carsten Wilkesmann explains how this intercontinental collaboration is enriching dental technology in Germany and provides insights into a partnership that is more than just "business as usual".

Mr Wilkesmann, dentona and Aidite are going into extra time. What does this mean in concrete terms for dental laboratories?

The collaboration with Aidite is more than just a handshake across continents. Aidite Zirconium oxides combine the best of two worlds: Aidite contributes raw material quality, expertise and production capacities, while we at dentona know the specific requirements of dental technology and the German market. For us, development does not take place on the drawing board, but in dialogue; our proximity to the market makes the difference. Our customers feel this in their day-to-day laboratory work - they are not working with just any zirconium oxide, but with a material that is customised to their needs. And we are far from finished. We have many ideas with which we will continue to write the zirconium oxide story.

Are there any milestones in your collaboration with Aidite?

One example is 3D PRO Zir. This zirconium oxide with strength, translucency and colour gradients is a real game changer - high flexural strength in the cervical area and high incisal translucency. With the predecessor product Multilayer 3D, we were the first supplier of such a hybrid zirconium oxide on the German market. But the framework material alone does not make a perfect restoration. That is why we have added Biomic Stain/Glaze to the portfolio - the "artist's set" for everyday laboratory work, so to speak. With 2D pastes for the basic design and 3D pastes for texture effects, amazingly natural results can be achieved.

In future, you will be using the Aidite original brand instead of optimill. What is behind this and what are the advantages for customers?

Yes, exactly, and this decision is a logical step forwards. In future, we will be marketing the zirconium oxides under the Aidite original brand. The decisive advantage lies in the speed: if Aidite develops a material improvement, we can now bring it to the German market much faster. This means that our customers always have the latest generation of materials to hand. It also allows us to streamline our logistics chain once again and offer an even higher level of delivery service.

Aidite is the specialist for zirconium oxide. What is behind this expertise and how do you benefit from it?

Anyone who has ever seen the production halls of Aidite will understand why we remain loyal to this partnership. What happens there in the field of zirconium oxide is impressive precision work. Let's take the innovation leader 3D PRO Zir again: this material contains a huge amount of expertise - from the precise yttrium stabilisation to the sophisticated particle structure. Aidite relies on isostatic pressing. The process ensures uniform density and controlled hardness in each individual blank. This is crucial for subsequent processing in the laboratory. The blanks are then pre-sintered for 24 hours at 1,000 °C in a patented sintering process. A complex process, but it pays off: The material structure becomes so homogeneous that our customers benefit from it during further processing. And thanks to the special type of colouring, we achieve the natural-looking colour gradients that our customers appreciate so much. No visible transitions, no artificial-looking layers - simply natural aesthetics. And something that is very close to my heart: the meticulousness of the quality control. Every batch undergoes a real test marathon. This may seem excessive to some, but for us at dentona, it is precisely this care that makes the difference between a good and an outstanding material.

Research meets practice - how does the exchange of knowledge between dentona and Aidite work?

We are a well-rehearsed team. Here, dental technicians and dental technologists meet researchers and developers, each contributing their own strengths. We at dentona stand for holistic concepts - not just for the material itself, but for the entire system around it, including application technology. Aidite in turn contributes expertise in materials science and production technology. The real added value comes from the details: When our dental technicians from product management report on what the market needs, the developers at Aidite can fine-tune the material properties. In short, the collaboration is not a one-way street, but a constant dialogue.

What can dental laboratories expect from dentona in the field of zirconium oxide?

We have a lot in the pipeline - but I don't want to give too much away. What I can say: We are currently working on expanding our zirconium oxide range. We are thinking outside the box and experimenting with completely new approaches. We will certainly be able to tell you more at IDS 2025 in Cologne. Just this much: it's worth staying tuned.

What are you personally particularly proud of in your collaboration with Aidite?

What really impresses me is that, despite geographical distance and cultural differences, we speak the same language - the language of dental technology. When I see how our zirconium oxide is used in laboratories every day and how satisfied our customers are, then I know that this partnership was and is exactly the right way to go.