Class 2 Matrix Bands and Wedges Drove Me Crazy

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prep was done 5 minutes ago. The patient was sighing. I was sweating. My next patient was waiting. “Help me G.V. Black, you’re my only hope!”

Eighty-three million Class 2 fillings are placed annually in the USA; most of them hurt. The Toffelmire matrix concept is over a century old. Bonding systems and resins have evolved nicely; Amalgam hasn’t. There’s been progress in the current matrix systems, but the concept itself hasn’t been challenged.

A 007 fan, I watched “GoldenEye” a few years ago. Bond and Q were in the basement, testing gadgets, next to a phone booth. An MI6 employee enters it, lifts the receiver, and an airbag explodes inside, trapping him. My remote flew up, I ran out of the room, and an hour later had the first drawing of my device. This ignited my “Dentist-Inventor Itch” and my entrepreneurial journey began. Years of frustration accelerated into a frantic flurry of notes, drawings, research, and a flaming desire to stick this thing in somebody’s mouth. I became a student of the process.

Now, to build it and test it. I found an engineer with decades of experience and a great attitude. I initiated two patents and a trademark for the name and FDA clearance. My engineer worked his magic and soon I held the very first prototype. Wow!

I Need Patients!

I sent some colleagues the first nonclinical units to validate the concept. They liked it! A year of development and bootstrap capital later, the first clinically viable test units went to my Beta Test group. Positive feedback and constructive criticism made the next round of Beta Units better and, two years later, it’s a marketable device. Patents, trademark and FDA status approved.

I’ve defined my ideal customer, marketing targets, projected sales and cost of goods for the first three years. I’ve pitched hundreds of times to various audiences and competitions and been a winner. I’ve found and utilized excellent resources.

This takes commitment, effort and money. My father heard my first pitch and after five minutes of my breathless description, raised his hand and asked, “Are you OK?” I now pitch with ease because I’ve practiced and paid for expert help.

I signed up with Travis Rodgers and his Dental Venture Capital consulting service. We do weekly coaching calls. I’m glad I did!

I’m going to blow the clamps off the old methods and make Class 2s better for everyone. Dentist Inventor’s Itch scratched!

Utilizing his background in dentistry, education, sales, and business, Dr. Thoreson’s mission is to innovate and improve dentistry for patients and dental professionals through cutting-edge product development.

My remote flew up, I ran out of the room, and an hour later had the first drawing of my device.

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