From private practice to becoming one of dentistry's most recognizable educators, Dr. Michael DiTolla shares how authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge convention helped shape his career and influence modern dentistry.

(00:00) Living With Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliance Therapy

(00:23) Welcome Back to Glidewell and Reflecting on Leaving

(01:14) Choosing Between Glidewell and Sirona

(02:25) Why Glidewell Always Felt Like Family

(03:06) The Birth of BruxZir and Early Zirconia Challenges

(04:11) The Monolithic Moment That Changed Restorative Dentistry

(05:10) When Zirconia Was Too Ugly to Sell

(06:38) From Ugly Duckling to Clinical Workhorse

(07:10) Seeing Glidewell as a Customer, Not an Insider

(07:30) Discovering Sleep Apnea Care in General Practice

(08:27) Glidewell's Evolution Into a Technology Leader

(09:00) How Marketing and Education Drove Industry Change

(10:09) The Power of the Sledgehammer Video

(11:16) Zirconia Filling the "Cast Gold Void"

(12:01) Technology's Role in Saving Marginal Preps

(12:51) Early Career Lessons and Bad Dental Habits

(13:27) The Hygiene Department and Early On‑Camera Dentistry

(14:04) The Hairpiece Story and Learning Authenticity

(17:27) Choosing Confidence and Being True to Yourself

(19:45) From Private Practice to Glidewell: The Origin Story

(21:07) Early Leadership, Performance, and the Need to Be Heard

(22:17) Why Dentistry Was the Chosen Path

(24:02) First Clinical Collaboration With Glidewell

(25:08) Why Every Dentist Should Work in a Lab

(26:27) Being Recruited Full‑Time by Jim Glidewell

(28:03) Creating Dental Education Before YouTube

(29:23) Learning From On‑Camera Clinical Mistakes

(30:21) Becoming an "Average Dentist" With Above‑Average Results

(31:46) Facing Tough Feedback From Technicians

(32:46) Searching for Better Prep Techniques

(33:18) Discovering the Reverse Preparation Technique

(34:35) The First Prep That Changed Everything

(36:04) Dental School, Talent, and Under‑Reduction

(37:57) Sharing a Technique That Changed Dental Education

(38:59) Digital Dentistry Ends Guesswork Forever

(40:12) Raising the Standard for Tooth Preparation

(40:26) Preview of the Next Episode