Digital dentistry reinvents itself constantly—fresh innovations build quickly on the last, making workflows exponentially faster and more satisfying daily. Some in the CAD/CAM world have been there since the first days of development, like Falko Noack, Vice President of Research and Development at Amann Girrbach. Falko remembers the advent of digital dentistry and even the beginnings of exocad with crystal clarity. In this exoBlog, we talk to Falko about his journey, Amann Girrbach’s collaboration with exocad, and what drives him both professionally and personally.
Q: How did you got started in dentistry?
A: After graduating from secondary school, I wanted to learn a job first. I stumbled upon dental technology rather by chance. After my first day, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do: operating a wide variety of equipment, using all different kinds of materials, and focusing on craftsmanship was great. Later, I studied dental technology to understand the background, with the clear goal of going into development and shaping the future of dentistry a little bit.
Q: You have been with Amann Girrbach for almost two decades. How have you seen the dental industry evolve in that time?
A: I was fortunate enough to start working at a time when the dental industry was undergoing what was probably its biggest transformation ever. It was a phase of incredible pioneering spirit. Twenty years ago, the industry was still largely manual. The digitalization we are now seeing in all areas is unprecedented. The manufacture of prosthetics, in particular, has gradually shifted to digital technologies over the last 20 years. Today, digital manufacturing processes exist for almost every conceivable prosthetic and therapeutic application.
Q: What was your first experience with exocad?
A: My first time with exocad… I can still remember it very clearly today. I met Till—who would later become exocad’s CEO—and Maik—who would go on to become its CTO—in a small room on the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research (IGD) campus, even before exocad was founded, around 2009. They had just finished the first prototype of their DentalCAD software. There was such a dynamic atmosphere in the room, so much openness and motivation to create something special for the dental industry. It was impossible not to be drawn in. Just a few days later, we decided to work together on the development of the first virtual articulator—and what can I say, we just did it. Hundreds of joint projects, large and small, followed. To this day, we have maintained direct communication and rapid decision-making. That is truly special.
Q: What role does exocad play in the development of Amann Girrbach’s technological innovations?
A: Apart from innovations in the area of materials, there is usually a very direct connection. Since we always think in terms of functioning workflows when it comes to our innovations, direct coordination is necessary and takes place here. Simply put: we mill what is designed with exocad. Easy and hassle-free. Done. To make this work so easy for our mutual users, a lot of joint detail work is required in the background. Without that, it’s all for nothing.
Q: At IDS 2025, Amann Girrbach unveiled the Ceramill Matron—how is this new development resonating with customers, especially labs using exocad?
A: Yes, IDS 2025 was truly amazing for us. It seems that we have hit the mark with Ceramill Matron. In addition to the standard applications for a hybrid machine with a changer, customers especially appreciate the metal processing, like CoCr and titanium, and the precise manufacture of implant-supported restorations. We also focused on usability. Simple and intuitive operation ensures every user feels comfortable with the machine. That’s why customers love it.
Q: What’s your “hero” tool—the one that helps you be a hero of digital dentistry?
A: What helps me to be good at what I do? Listen carefully to users, understand their problems, and think about solutions for them. It’s never about me. If you like, my tools are listening and understanding, and staying 100% focused on dentistry. It’s actually quite simple.
Q: What’s next on Amann Girrbach’s roadmap for software integration or exocad collaboration?
A: We are currently working together on a lot of things in the field of implant-supported restorations—for example, the revised abutment module with improved functionality for this area. We are also developing the split bar for the design and manufacture of bar-supported constructions, which we will launch soon. Of course, there are many projects in the pipeline for the next one to two years, but I don’t want to talk about them yet. In any case, we won’t be bored.
Q: What’s your passion outside of dentistry?
A: Offroad sports and outdoor activities.
Q: What song is at the top of your playlist?
A: Sam Fender: “Wild Grey Ocean.”
Q: What’s your favorite tooth?
A: The first upper molar. As a dental technician, that was by far my favorite to model.
Falko Noack is Vice President of Research and Development at Amann Girrbach, responsible for innovation in CAD/CAM technology, material development, and the device portfolio. A certified dental technician with over eight years of practical experience, he studied dental technology at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück, graduating with a degree in Dental Technology (Dipl.-Ing.). During his academic career, Falko worked on several research projects focused on dental materials. Following graduation, he joined Amann Girrbach, where he applied his practical and technological expertise in research and development. He has over 25 years of experience in the dental field and shares his expertise as an international speaker and through numerous publications.
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.
