Microcopy's Growth
Microcopy History | Product History
Since its inception in 1970, Microcopy has been at the forefront in the design and development of diamond and carbide burs for the dental industry. Our NeoDiamond product line—America’s #1 selling diamond—is among the most respected in the dental marketplace. Our team of engineers, marketers and production experts design, package and perform complete product inspections following our ISO-certified quality management system. Because we are a full-service solution for our customers, we are able to provide unparalleled support complete with a 100% performance guarantee.
Microcopy began with a father and son who had a dream to start a business together in Southern, CA. Thom Maass Jr. and his father, Thom Maass Sr. got their start with the purchase of a patent and the introduction of the world’s premier rapid dental x-ray solution. In fact, this is how Microcopy got its decidedly “non-dental” name. Thom and Thom Sr. originally purchased patents for both the x-ray solution and for a process to copy engineering drawings, hence, Microcopy. These products, INSTA-NEG® and INSTA-FIX®, brought not only amazing speed, but also a high level of diagnostic quality that equaled the conventional, slow processing film chemistry in use at the time.
Thom Jr. and Martha Maass
Shortly thereafter, the duo were able to add a few key employees and Thom Jr’s wife Martha joined the company as Corporate Secretary and Office Manager. Soon after, additional X-ray related products were introduced including Microcopy’s own patented INSTA-VELOPER® Portable Darkroom for chairside processing in seconds. The company also introduced FLAPS® Cushioned Bite Tabs – soft foam film positioning tabs and TROLLMOUNTS® – a superior film mounting system. At this point Microcopy had carved out a nice niche business within the dental X-ray field and the future looked quite promising.
But with the growth came the need for more space and resources. Microcopy left their undersized factory in Newbury Park, California and opened a brand new facility in Kennesaw, Georgia. Just 26 miles north of Atlanta, Kennesaw was an ideal location for servicing their growing international customer base.
Perry L. Parke, Thom Maass Jr, Thom Maass Sr
In 2003, Perry L. Parke, nephew of Thom Maass Jr, joined Microcopy as General Manager. With a strong background in Manufacturing Management and Quality, he quickly became a highly valued asset to the company. Soon afterwards he secured ownership in the company and was made Vice President. Then, in 2008, Thom, Jr. decided to retire and Perry became President of Microcopy.
Microcopy’s model for business is to make high quality products for dentists that could be easily sampled. The philosophy, which continues today, is once dentists try Microcopy products, they would, in turn, buy them.
In addition to the products listed above and our industry-leading NEODIAMOND® product line, Microcopy also supplies NEOBURR®- Award Winning Carbides, NEODRYS® - Parotid Absorbent Pads, GAZELLE® Polishers, and BITE-CHEK®- Articulation Film, and Flaps® - Bite Tabs.
Microcopy produces products that reduce the risk of cross contamination. Our introduction of the NeoDiamond single-patient-use diamonds (SPU) over 26 years ago began a movement that changed the industry to what it is today with a majority of dentists using SPU diamonds. In addition, we were the first to sterilize our carbides and composite polishers. Plus, we developed Bite-Chek articulation film, which eliminates the need of forceps. Microcopy is committed to develop tools dentists need to practice safe dental protocols.
Product History
2016
Minnow, The Go-Anywhere Polisher is launched. The miniature polisher fits into pits, fissures and areas that larger polishers just cannot reach. Minnow is an ideal fit for a single-patient-use, and is an economical, yet high-gloss-value polisher.
Bite-Chek adds a Red/Black film for marking occlusion and excursion. It is also ideal for marking surfaces of opposing arches. The box is redesigned to work as a dispenser as well.
2015
Gazelle adds a convenient combo 10 pack. This pack contains both the Satin and Hi-Gloss polishers in one shape. The packs are available in the Cups, Discs, and Points.
2014
All NeoDrys orders placed from October to December will be produced in the color pink rather than yellow and blue. A portion of the profits are donated to cancer research in support of its cure.
2013
Bite-Chek articulation film is introduced. This new tool is a convenient way to check the occlusion without using forceps. The pack contains 100 double-sided black thin film Bite-Cheks.
Gazelle nanocomposite polisher that produces an excellent high gloss value, is introduced. This composite polisher is designed to have flexibility and durability, so they do not crumble or fall apart.
2012
NeoDiamond and NeoBurr add new products in different size packs. NeoDiamond adds 15 new shapes to expand its selection, including Guide-Pin and Endo Access. NeoBurr adds 17 shapes including 30-Blade Trimming and Finishing and expands its surgical line to include Endo Access and HP Oral surgery burs.
2010
NeoBurr dental carbide burs are now provided sterilized, being the first one in the industry to increase this level of safety. Today, NeoBurr® carbides are the leader in sterilized carbides for effective infection control and provide unparalleled quality, strength and performance.
2007
Microcopy begins international sales of NeoDrys. Poland was one of the first countries to begin distribution. Today, we market throughout the entire world.
2005
Microcopy introduces NeoDrys® the ultimate dental absorbent product on the market. With cheek retraction and protection, improvement of dry-field procedures, patient comfort, and cost savings, it didn’t take long before it became a huge hit. Neodrys absorb, protect and reflect, assisting in providing the best patient care. No messy leaks or loose fibers left behind. Today, NeoDrys is the dental professional's best friend.
1989
Microcopy, in an effort to diversify our product line, introduced NeoDiamond®. We pioneered the concept of a single-use diamond, suggesting that dentists switch from using a diamond multiple times - sterilizing the diamond and keeping track of its use in inventory. The advantages of single-patient-use, which improves performance and safety, wasn’t an easy sell at first but growth was steady and over the next several years NeoDiamond began to gain share to make a name for itself. It has grown to be the #1 selling dental diamond bur.
1971
Company efforts were directed toward the patent for an x-ray solution in less than a minute. The process worked well for the dental market, so INSTA-NEG® and INSTA-FIX were born. Additional X-ray related products were soon introduced including our own patented INSTA-VELOPER® Portable Darkroom for chairside processing in seconds. We also introduced FLAPS® Cushioned Bite Tabs – soft foam film positioning tabs and TROLLMOUNTS – a superior film mounting system.
1970
Microcopy entry into the dental community started with the purchase of two patents. One was for a process to copy engineering drawings and another was for rapid dental x-ray solutions. However with the industry quickly changing due to the development of the personal computer, the business of processing engineering drawings was not pursued and all efforts were directed towards rapid dental x-ray processing.