Argentina-based dental lab owner Marta Mattioli has always put patients at the center of her career. She began 15 years ago in analog prosthetics. After witnessing the positive impact digital workflows had on patients' experiences, she decided to evolve into a fully digital workflow powered by CAD/CAM technology and exocad. Marta explains how she made the change and why digital offers the perfect blend of predictable results and high-end esthetics.
Q: How did you get into the dental field?
A: I started as a prosthetic technician more than 15 years ago after a dentist encouraged me to pursue formal training. Working in her practice, I saw my own work in a patient’s mouth for the first time. It was a moment that stayed with me. I later specialized in customized complete dentures and began sharing my work online, which led to training opportunities in Italy with leading companies in attachments and materials. I went on to teach analog courses, speak at international congresses and travel across Latin America.
Q: What type of work are you doing currently?
A: I now own a fully digital dental laboratory, producing designs for both internal use and external clients. I also teach courses on digital complete dentures, which is a growing area of interest for labs transitioning from fixed prosthetics.
Q: When did you start using digital workflows and why?
A: I transitioned to digital workflows at the urging of my mentor. That was the same dentist who guided me in my analog beginnings. My biggest fear was losing artistic expression—replicating fine carving and natural gingival details—but I learned those results are achievable digitally.
Q: When did you first start using exocad software?
A: I enrolled in a dental mechanics institute in Rosario that offered both a digital diploma and a digital dental technician certification. I completed both programs simultaneously. When I first started working with exocad DentalCAD, I was amazed by how quickly a restoration could be completed, the precision achieved during the printing and milling process, and the overall fluidity of the CAD/CAM workflow.
Q: How challenging was it to learn exocad DentalCAD for the first time?
A: DentalCAD proved to be intuitive and easy to adopt. The biggest adjustment was moving from manual tools to a keyboard and mouse.
Q: How did you get trained on exocad software?
A: I enrolled in both the digital dental technician course and the full CAD/CAM diploma, as well as independent courses taught by independent certified exocad software trainers, including the introductory and intermediate level courses. I use all of the software's features across every module.
Q: What exocad software features or tools are your favorites and why?
A: While I work with all exocad software, the Full Denture Module is the most relevant for my designs and the courses I teach. exocad software supports my established clinical-lab protocol, including functional impressions, bite registration and anatomical analysis. The resulting rehabilitations are faster, more predictable and reproducible.
Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Take the leap. Many fear losing their artistry, but digital tools enhance both results and quality of life. Achieving realistic, detailed dentures with digital workflows is absolutely possible.
Q: What do you wish you’d known earlier?
A: If I could go back, I would have told myself not to be so anxious. Going digital is learned step by step, with daily consistency and without rushing.
Q: What’s most important about your work?
A: The biggest beneficiary is the patient. Digital dentures deliver precise fit, comfort, function and esthetic results that restore confidence.
Q: Current favorite song?
A: “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Q: Advice to your younger self?
A: Keep learning, ignore discouragement and never give up.
Q: If not dentistry, what would you do?
A: Something artistic.
Q: exocad in one word?
A: Transcendence.
Marta Mattioli is a dental technician based in Rosario, Argentina, specializing in removable complete prosthodontics, implant-supported prostheses, and digital dentistry. She holds a diploma in digital dentistry from IMD Rosario and has completed advanced training with Rhein83 and Ruthinium in Italy. Marta is a national and international lecturer and has authored articles for Técnica Dental México. She currently works in digital laboratory workflows and provides training in digital dentistry for dental technicians and dentists.
by Caitlan Reeg
Writer at exocad
Caitlan Reeg spends her days telling the world about the innovations her colleagues create. She’s passionate about healthcare, technology, and the ways the two interact to improve our lives. A former journalist, Caitlan has worked on staff at Dow Jones Newswires in Frankfurt and at the national public radio program Marketplace in Los Angeles.
