ROE’s Roots: Innovating in Dental

As the decades rolled on, ROE Miller Dental Lab began carving out its reputation as an innovator in the dental world. Over the next 40 years, founder Roland Miller became known not just as a lab owner, but as a true pioneer, earning four patents that pushed the industry forward:

• Patent No. 1,862,699 – Flask for manufacturing artificial dentures (June 14, 1932)
• Patent No. 2,233,295 – Dental flask (filed February 25, 1941)
• Patent No. 2,430,525 – Combination guide and label (filed November 11, 1947)
• Patent No. 3,092,909 – Method for releasably mounting dental models in plaster of paris on dental articulators (filed June 11, 1963)

These inventions reflected his inventive spirit, whether improving denture flasks, simplifying model mounting, or enhancing labeling systems. His work not only advanced dental technology but also landed him features in newspapers as a thought leader in the industry, solidifying ROE’s place at the forefront of dental innovation.

And here’s the best part: variations of these very patents are still in use in dental labs today. Roland’s ideas they helped lay the groundwork for tools and methods that remain essential in modern dental craftsmanship.

Nearly a century later, that same innovative spark still drives us. At ROE, our roots in pushing boundaries and rethinking what’s possible in dentistry run deep and continue to shape the work we do today.

Moving Forward

1936

In our first series, we introduced Rita O’Brien, the sharp and determined young woman who walked into ROE Miller Dental Lab in 1936 and changed our history forever. This week, we continue her story because Rita wasn’t just an employee; she became the heartbeat of the lab for more than 50 years.

With her meticulous eye for detail and unwavering loyalty, Rita quickly earned the trust of founder Roland Miller, eventually taking over management of the lab’s finances. Through decades of dedication, she became a cornerstone of ROE. So much so that when Roland passed away, he entrusted the majority of the business to her.

1978

In 1978, Rita sold the lab to Bruce Kowalski, marking the start of a new era. But even then, she remained at the helm of the books, ensuring ROE stayed true to its roots until the day she retired. 

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Growth & Evolution

Before purchasing ROE, Bruce began his career in sales at another dental lab, where he learned firsthand how to build relationships and understand the needs of doctors. When the opportunity came to acquire ROE, he brought that same customer-first mindset with him. Many of the employees from the original team came along as well, and remarkably, some of those people still work at ROE today.

Bruce’s true legacy was about the people. He believed in empowering employees todo their best work while treating everyone with respect and a sense of family. This philosophy created a workplace where careers flourished for decades.

Under his leadership, ROE also began to outgrow its home. The lab moved from the downtown Cleveland building into a larger facility in Garfield Heights, expanding multiple times before even that space became too small. Bruce then helped design and bring to life a new, state-of-the-art building in Independence, ensuring ROE had the space and resources to thrive well into the future.

Shaping Tomorrow

1980s

The 1980s also marked the rise of implant dentistry in the U.S., and Cleveland was at its epicenter. ROE was there from the very beginning. Under Bruce’s leadership, the lab became a national leader in implant dentistry, working closely with specialists and implant companies to teach restorative protocols. Through partnerships, teaching programs, and hands-on collaboration, ROE helped define how implants were restored and supported in practices nationwide.

Bruce also made sure ROE stayed ahead of the curve by adopting and promoting advancements such as pressure injection dentures, esthetic crown and bridge materials, Valplast flexible partials, Wironium alloy, splint therapy, and custom abutments. By embracing these techniques and materials early, he ensured ROE remained a trusted and forward-looking partner for dental professionals.

Bruce’s chapter in ROE’s story was one of growth, vision, and above all, people. He built a lab that treated its employees and partners like family, expanded ROE’s footprint across Northeast Ohio, and positioned it as a trusted leader nationwide.

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Expanding Horizons

BJ's story at ROE didn't begin in an office, it started elbow-deep in plaster and wax. Through high school and college, he worked in across the lab: sculpting teeth in the denture model room, polishing metal until it gleamed, fielding customer calls when cases went sideways.

When he moved into sales, orders poured in so fast the lab couldn't keep up. They needed BJ back on the inside, not just to fill orders, but to revolutionize how they were made.

That's when BJ placed a bet that would change everything. While competitors scoffed, he saw the future in 3D printers. The early days were tough, imagine throwing away half of everything you make. But BJ and the team kept pushing, kept tweaking, kept believing. By the late '90s, those failed prints turned into perfect restorations. Today, ROE has become the leader in 3D digital denture resin the country and remains one of the few labs in the US to 3D print metal dental restorations in house.

Modern Day

When BJ stepped into leadership, he'd experienced firsthand the limitations of traditional dentistry under his father Bruce. While competitors stuck to familiar methods, BJ spotted opportunities. He brought together a strong management team and committed to raising the bar beyond "good enough."

As the industry evolves, so does our technology and our team. We've watched roles shift from traditional CDT work to CAD design expertise, and we've changed right along with them. BJ understands that trust isn't something you earn once, it's earned every single day. Our customers' needs keep changing as the industry advances, which is why we've embraced a simple philosophy: "meeting you where you are." Whether you're ready for cutting-edge technology or prefer tried-and-true methods, we adapt to what works best for you.

Strategic partnerships became a cornerstone of BJ's approach. ROE doesn't simply adopt new products, we help develop and launch them. From startup ventures to established international companies, businesses across the U.S. and Europe rely on ROE to help bring innovations to market. We create training resources that help the dental community understand and implement new technologies.

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