Dr. Danny Qualliotine graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, class of 1977.  He started his work in Greenville, N.C. in 1977 as a partner in a large dental practice.  In 1991 he began his own practice in Greenville at a new location where he provided aesthetic care with three main criteria: to look good, to feel good and last a l-o-n-g time.

He was a frequent user of gold restorations, because patients liked their comfort.  They were reliable and long lasting.  However as an aesthetic dentist, he felt gold did not have an appealing look.  He tried conventional porcelain inlays, but was displeased with the high percentage of breakage.

At the inception of CEREC® he attended training sessions offered at UNCCH School of Dentistry.  Although the machine was most difficult to use, he felt the results given to the patient were well worth the effort.  The learning curve of the CEREC®1 was very difficult when compared to the present CEREC®3.  With all the advances from CEREC® 1 to CEREC®3, the one place where the least progress had been made was in the frustrating procedure of “powdering.”

Over the years CEREC® has seen numerous technological changes and advances. We have gone from DOS to Windows, from black and white to color, from the big old monitor to flat screen, from hydro milling wheel to e-motors and from a four axis single milling wheel, to a six axis dual motor remotely located milling chamber, which now gives us a 3D image.  Looking back on technology concerning the CEREC®1 it was the most advanced machine for its time.

With that in mind, it was embarrassing to take an aerosol type shaving cream can, with a tiny drinking straw attachment, that blew powder on the patient’s face and leaked propellant over your hands and onto the patient’s chin!  In response to this frustration, an early prototype of a new powdering device was made.  Several were assembled and given as gifts to CEREC®1 doctors to alleviate their similar frustrations.  At the time in 1993, there were not enough CEREC® machines to warrant the production and patenting of this instrument. 

On one occasion while Dr “Q” was using the newest version of the powdering instrument, a CEREC® salesman came in and asked if he could purchase some units for his customers, because he could see that the performance of the powdering device was so easy, efficient and user-friendly.  This occurrence led to the research, development and patenting of the “PowderPerfekt® Instrument.”

Because he knew “there was a better way to powder,” Dr. Q brought the idea to his Uncle Otto, who possesses a talent for invention.  Dr. Q and his Uncle have the same propensity toward this aptitude – engineering foresight and competence runs in the family.  With the Uncle’s research and development talent and after creating many prototypes, the new perfected powdering device was at hand.  All medical grade materials were researched and used.  The description of the preferred embodiment and blue prints have been granted a U.S. Patent.