In late 1996, Robert Ratliff and Jamie Bartley left the U.S. Air Force with a new mission of service in mind. The determined pair cofounded Gator Ceramics Dental Lab in 1997 with the goal of changing lives one smile at a time by partnering with the dental community.
“In the Air Force, Jamie and I were trained by some of the best Board Certified Prosthodontists in the world,” said Ratliff. “We also had the rare opportunity to actually assist them as they did procedures on their patients. This gave us a unique clinical perspective of the restorations we were producing and allowed us to gain invaluable experience about how restorations need to be produced to look their best in the oral environment. We were trained in a culture focused on excellence, and we wanted to offer that level of skill in a civilian setting.”
Ratliff and Bartley have a passion for partnering with clients through education and communication. “We communicate often with the dentist, the oral surgeon, and the patient so that all members of the team are clear about the process and desired results,” said Ratliff. “We also learn from our clients as they share their dental experiences and customization needs.”
In 2012, Jeff Thomas merged his company, Thomas Dental Ceramics, with Gator Ceramics. After 30 years in operation, Thomas had developed a reputation for producing some of the most esthetic restorations around and had become the area’s leading expert on CAD/CAM technology.
Thomas, Bartley, and Ratliff have pooled experience and technology skills to operate one of the most revered dental labs in the nation. “We have been successful because we operate as an extension of the dental practice, working as a team with dentists and oral surgeons to create exceptional results,” said Ratliff. “Our products speak for themselves.”