You + 3M ESPE = A formula for success

A Formula for Success

Many factors contribute to the overall success of a dental practice. One of them

is making smart decisions about the companies you choose to depend on for

dental products and services.

In this brochure, we hope to show you why 3M ESPE is a uniquely smart choice.

You will learn more about our worldwide reputation for bringing new ideas to

dentistry that shape — and sometimes reshape — the market. You will better

understand our uncompromising approach, not only to quality control and testing

before our products ever reach your hands, but in everything we do. From product

development to education to the importance we place on listening to and learning

from you. You will hear about our passionate commitment to helping solve your

problems and to playing a role in defining the industry as it moves into the future.

In general, we hope these pages will help you understand that 3M ESPE delivers

much more than the high-quality products you have always expected. With

3M ESPE, you get a partner dedicated to the highest possible standards and

driven to deliver practical and ingenious solutions that will make a difference

in your practice.

Dr. Rainer Guggenberger, Head of Research & Development, Member of the Executive Board

Dr. Petra Schneider, Head of Quality and Regulatory

You + 3M ESPE = Uncompromising standards

On this we will never compromise: when you choose 3M ESPE, you will get quality that

goes beyond “product quality.”

This commitment begins with 3M ESPE people, both those you see and those you don’t.

We take great care to hire highly trained employees who recognize the power of collaboration

with colleagues and customers. These people are then given continuous education in the

real world, so their efforts in developing, producing and introducing new products help you

achieve a higher level of comfort, safety and quality in your work.

In addition, stringent quality controls are in place throughout our product development

process, from determining the necessity and value of a proposed product, to acquisition of raw

materials, selection of suppliers, production and, ultimately, delivery of that product to you.

The term quality may be overused. But its importance at 3M ESPE cannot be underestimated.

As important and fundamental as our uncompromising approach to quality is, at 3M ESPE

it is only one aspect of earning and keeping your trust.

5

An Organization-wide Commitment

to Quality

Quality in writing. 3M ESPE Certifications:

Since 2003 ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System

Since 1999 OHRIS – “Occupational Health and Risk Management System”

Since 1994 ISO 9001 – Quality Management System – quality assurance in the fields of design, development, production, assembly and maintenance, and EU Directive on medical products

You + 3M ESPE = Groundbreaking ideas

6

For more than a century, people around the world have looked to 3M for new products and

ideas that solve problems and make their lives easier and better. Today, in fact, more than 6,500

3M research and development employees are working with 45 technology platforms to expand

on the company’s track record as a global source of innovation. Scientists from all around the

company are able to draw on these corporate technologies as springboards to meet customers

needs and solve their problems.

As can only happen here, 3M technologies come together in countless combinations that

lead to innovative, new products. Products that are simple to use, yet complex enough to help

make the world healthier, safer and better.

3M ESPE is no exception. Combining the finely tuned 3M product development engine with

ongoing insight from dental practitioners around the world has enabled us to bring a number of

firsts to dentistry. Among them, the first-ever tooth-colored restorative material, the first self-

adhesive resin cement and the first automated mixing of impression materials and cements.

Advancements that truly have made a difference.

And there’s more to come. As you continually seek to improve patient care, you can expect

3M ESPE to be steadfast in its commitment to help you pursue that goal.

Ingenious Thinking That Produces Practical Solutions

Dr. Christoph Thalacker, Head of Laboratory

Henry Loll, Development Engineer

You + 3M ESPE = Proven advancements

If you’re like most dental professionals, you don’t accept new technology at face value. You

want proof it will work. At 3M ESPE, we go to great lengths to make sure our products will

live up to their promise.

Evaluating and applying existing information is step one. Findings from accepted university-

and dentist-originated studies are evaluated and applied to our development process.

3M ESPE also conducts its own research, both in lab and bench studies and in controlled

clinical use evaluations.

Another important proving ground is national and international conferences, at which

3M ESPE experts regularly seek insight from hundreds of Opinion Leaders on new ideas.

We make sure your perspective is reflected in the products we eventually bring to market.

If a 3M ESPE product doesn’t hold up under this kind of scrutiny, you won’t find it in

your practice.

9

Testing to Make SureSolutions are Right and Relevant

You + 3M ESPE = Products that can be trusted

10

Unfortunately, counterfeiting has become a serious issue in the dental industry. Evidence of

product piracy — repackaging, relabeling and otherwise falsifying products — has emerged

in both Europe and the Middle East, casting a shadow on the safety, reliability and patient

satisfaction you expect.

But 3M ESPE is fi ghting back with the industry’s fi rst distributor certifi cation program.

By meeting rigorous 3M ESPE quality standards, dealers can become “Certifi ed Channel

Partners”, and assure you of:

• a source of supply fully backed by 3M ESPE guarantees and warranties

• properly trained distributor personnel to provide customer service and technical support

• products that have come through a controlled supply chain

• promotions and trial offers for new products that are available only through

Certifi ed Distributors

Launched in 2005, the “Certifi ed Channel Partners” program has been a huge success.

Practically all major dental suppliers are now certifi ed. It’s the kind of program that helps

you protect your image while you’re enhancing your patient’s image.

Taking Your Reputation as Seriously as We Take Ours

3M ESPE CERTIFIED CHANNEL PARTNER

The owner of this Partnership of Trust Certificate is entitled to call himself 3M ESPE

Certified Channel Partner. Certified Channel Partners are approved and committing

themselves to dealing only with genuine 3M ESPE high quality products.

With this, 3M ESPE and the Certified Channel Partners are creating a visible mark

of trust and certainty, guaranteeing maximum quality and reliability to dentists and

their patients.

Ltd. Smith & Co.in Musterstadt

We are proud to hand out our Certified Channel Partner Certificate to

Ltd. Smith & Co. based on the audit of XX of month 2006.

Seefeld,Andreas Dinges, Director

Cer

tific

ate

3M-ALL-05-1003 Zertifikat_E.indd1 1 24.07.2007 18:25:25 Uhr

Peter Blersch, Member of the Executive Board Dr. Mojahn, Dentist

Dr. Gerhard Kultermann, Head of Customer Information Center 3M ESPE

You + 3M ESPE = Learning that goes both ways

13

Knowledge You Can Use, Information You Can Trust

Near constant advances are being made in the field of dental materials and techniques.

To help you stay ahead of the changes, 3M ESPE developed Espertise™ brand educational

programs that include the latest news on products, and dental industry trends and

techniques.

Espertise programs allow for a two-way exchange of knowledge and information between

clinical researchers, material scientists and you, the chairside professional. Our goal is to

provide independent, objective information on the most recent innovations and trends in

dentistry, the latest material developments and scientific research results. Equally critical,

it’s a forum for sharing how things work in your everyday world. Experienced specialists

esteemed for their proficiency in theory and practice are regularly invited to solicit insights

on the business from both dentists and 3M ESPE people.

In simple terms, Espertise programs and materials help you learn from experts, and help

3M ESPE learn from you. We both benefit from the experience.

You + 3M ESPE = Impressioning excellence

14

For Even More Impressive Work

As a pioneering company in its field, 3M ESPE has always been committed to constantly

developing fundamental innovations in impressioning. Being the most important initial

working step in the whole process, it is vital that you get it right first time. To this end, the

world’s market leader for impression materials offers the right impression material for each

and every technique and indication.

Basing developments on scientific data, 3M ESPE has been marketing the range of polyether

impression materials for 40 years — with unrivalled success. New information and insights

gained from R&D activities are incorporated into all our products and services — to your

advantage. Knowing that you are using the best materials available is a reassuring feeling.

In the pursuit of hole-free impressions,

3M ESPE developed the Pentamix™ Automatic

Mixing System for impression materials of a

previously untold high quality. Easy to use,

the automatic mixing function saves you

time; at the touch of a button, it does its work

whilst you get on with yours. Using only

the exact amount of material you need, you

reduce waste and, hence, costs. The definitive

benefit for your practice of using impression

materials and techniques by the world’s No. 1

in its field? A perfect, reliable fit.

For satisfied patients. Impressed? You will be!

Dr. Eva Maria Popp, Dentist

Dr. Dr. Andreas Syrek, Dentist

You + 3M ESPE = The finest in fillings

Continuous developments carried out by 3M ESPE mean that you can rely on getting the

right filling material for each type of treatment. We take full advantage of the latest

technology, using nanotechnology to enhance our products and, hence, consolidate our

status as technological leader.

The varied range of products offered by 3M ESPE is the result of the latest findings and

the newest materials: composites such as the Z100™ Composite have been setting the

standard with regard to mechanical stability and wear resistance since their launch in 1992.

The use of the Filtek™ Supreme, launched in 2002, has improved the decisive properties

of aesthetics and the degree of shrinkage. Nanotechnology is further imperative to the

development of ionomer combination products, such as Ketac™ N100 is the world’s first resin

modified glass ionomer nanoionomer which combines paste-paste technology with nano-

filler technology. The advantage of this product is improved wear and enhanced aesthetics,

and is set to be launched by 3M ESPE during 2007.

Another example of the outstanding performance of the R&D department of 3M ESPE is

the development of Filtek™ Silorane, the first <1% shrinkage posterior composite, which will

revolutionarize your life.

New products are continually introduced by 3M ESPE, market leader of dental products, to

ensure that you are offering your patients state-of-the-art materials for long-lasting fillings.

17

Higher Quality For Longer Life

You + 3M ESPE = Life-like crowns and bridges

18

It is one of the objectives of our researchers and developers at 3M ESPE to reproduce as

closely as possible the properties of the tooth as nature intended it. This is no easy task we

have set ourselves: the natural tooth enables the light to shine through, and is extremely

resilient when it comes to chewing.

In the form of the Lava™ Precision Solutions 3M ESPE has developed products to enable you

to comply with your patients’ wishes for an aesthetically pleasing alternative when nature

needs a helping hand, for example. Ideal for incisors and posterior teeth, Lava™ Crowns and

Bridges are made from zirconium oxide to ensure strength, durability, colour coordination

with the surrounding teeth and visual appeal — just like the real thing!

The innovative Lava™ Business Concept drawn up by 3M ESPE further accelerates the

working process of dentists and dental technicians, making it more effi cient and more

economical, thereby combining the aspects of aesthetics, technology, science and economics

for the benefi t of the dentist and the patient.

We Set Ourselves a Great Example: the Natural Tooth

Dr. Wolter, Dentist

Markus Salex, Dental Technician

Walter Weber, Sales Rep.

Dr. Vivian Porsfeld, Dentist

A Partner to Accompany You In Everything You Do As the leading company in its field, 3M ESPE is in the position to offer its

partners more. We support you as a partner in every step, in everything you

do, to enable you to concentrate on giving your patients the very best treatment

available. The results of R&D are realised in the form of high-quality, inimitable

innovations you can rely on.

Dentists are kept up-to-date by means of 3M ESPE’s training measures, carried

out under the company’s own educational brand — Espertise™. Continual quality

assurance measures at all stages guarantee the top quality of our products,

and our pioneering Partnership of Trust programme makes it easy for you to

recognise a Certified Channel Partner. This is your guarantee that you are

protecting yourself and your patients from pirate products.

Should you experience a problem, however, 3M ESPE has a hotline service and a

straight-forward complaint management system, guaranteeing a back-up device

within 24 hours where necessary. This professional service typical to all our

activities guarantees that you are working with a partner you can trust in.

22

23

3M ESPE AGEspe Platz · 82229 Seefeld · GermanyE-mail: info3mespe@mmm.comInternet: http://www.3mespe.com 70

2009

5563

4/01

(7.2

007)