Step inside a modern dental lab, and you might feel like you’ve walked into a tech company. The plaster models and manual casting machines of the past are quickly being replaced by scanners, printers, and sophisticated software. This shift isn’t just about new gadgets; it’s about achieving a level of precision, speed, and consistency that was once impossible. For your practice, this means better-fitting restorations, faster turnaround times, and ultimately, happier patients. Understanding the technology that powers your dental laboratory partner helps you make the most of your collaboration and integrate these advanced workflows into your own clinic for predictable, exceptional results.
Key Takeaways
- Treat Your Lab as a Strategic Partner: A strong lab relationship is built on collaboration, not just transactions. Establish clear communication channels and lean on your technicians' expertise to solve complex cases and ensure consistent, high-quality results.
- Leverage Digital Technology for Superior Precision: Partnering with a lab that uses modern tools like CAD/CAM systems directly improves your clinical outcomes. A fully digital workflow reduces chairside adjustments, shortens turnaround times, and produces stronger, more accurate restorations.
- Define Your Standards with Detailed Input: The quality of the final restoration depends on the quality of your initial submission. Provide precise digital scans and thorough prescriptions, and offer consistent feedback to help your lab learn your exact preferences, minimizing remakes and delays.
What is a Dental Laboratory?
Think of a dental laboratory as the essential, behind-the-scenes partner to your clinical practice. It’s where art meets science, and where your detailed prescriptions are transformed into the tangible, functional restorations your patients need. These facilities are staffed by highly skilled dental technicians who specialize in fabricating custom prosthetics and appliances. From a single crown to a full-arch restoration, the lab is where the final product takes shape.
A great lab does more than just follow instructions; it acts as an extension of your team. Technicians combine their technical expertise with a deep understanding of dental anatomy and materials to ensure every piece is precise, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. They are the craftspeople who help you deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes, ultimately shaping the patient's experience and the reputation of your practice. Choosing the right lab is one of the most critical decisions you can make for your workflow and your patients' satisfaction.
A Lab's Core Responsibilities
At its heart, a dental lab’s primary responsibility is to create and repair custom dental devices based on a dentist's prescription. Technicians work with a variety of materials, including ceramics, polymers, and metals, to fabricate everything from crowns and bridges to dentures and orthodontic appliances. Their daily tasks involve interpreting your impressions and digital scans, meticulously crafting each restoration to meet exact specifications, and ensuring the final product has the perfect fit, function, and shade. They also handle sterilizing equipment and maintaining detailed records for each case, ensuring a seamless and reliable workflow from start to finish.
The Different Types of Dental Labs
Dental labs generally fall into two categories: traditional and digital. Traditional labs rely on manual techniques, like waxing and casting, which can be effective but often require more adjustments. Digital labs, on the other hand, leverage advanced technology for superior precision and efficiency. These modern facilities use CAD/CAM systems, 3D printers, and digital scanners to produce restorations with incredible accuracy. This digital workflow not only streamlines production but also leads to better-fitting prosthetics and improved patient comfort. Many labs also specialize in specific areas, such as creating custom orthodontic appliances like clear aligners or focusing exclusively on complex implant cases.
How Labs Influence Patient Outcomes
The quality of your dental lab's work has a direct and significant impact on your patients and your practice's reputation. A lab that delivers consistent, high-quality restorations allows you to perform treatments with confidence, knowing the final product will fit precisely with minimal chairside adjustments. This reliability saves you valuable time and enhances the patient experience. When patients are happy with the comfort, function, and look of their new crown or denture, their trust in you grows. A strong, collaborative partnership with a quality lab brings another layer of expertise to your practice and is fundamental to achieving long-lasting, successful patient outcomes.
Key Services a Dental Lab Offers
A dental lab is the operational backbone of a successful dental practice, providing the custom-made prosthetics and appliances your patients rely on. While some labs specialize in a single area, full-service laboratories offer a comprehensive suite of services to meet a wide range of clinical needs. From single crowns to complex full-arch restorations, your lab partner is essential for delivering high-quality patient care. Understanding the key services they provide helps you choose the right partner and streamline your workflow for predictable, exceptional results.
Crafting Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges are fundamental to restorative dentistry, and labs are responsible for their precise fabrication. These restorations are essential for restoring the function and aesthetics of a patient's smile after tooth damage or loss. A skilled lab technician uses impressions or digital scans to create custom restorations that fit the patient’s unique dental structure perfectly. The goal is to produce a crown or bridge that is not only durable and functional but also blends seamlessly with the natural dentition, making the lab’s role in restorative treatments absolutely critical.
Fabricating Dentures and Implants
For patients needing partial or full dentures, the lab’s expertise is paramount. Modern labs are moving beyond traditional fabrication methods and embracing digital workflows. With digital design, labs can create dentures with a more precise fit and improved comfort for the patient. At AvaDent, our monolithic digital dentures are designed for superior strength and hygiene. This digital process also means the patient’s record is stored indefinitely, allowing for a fast and accurate replacement if a denture is ever lost or broken, which is a significant advantage over traditional methods.
Creating Orthodontic Appliances
Dental labs are also key partners in orthodontics. They specialize in creating custom appliances that are vital for effective treatment. This includes everything from clear aligners and retainers to space maintainers and other specialized devices. Orthodontists rely on the lab’s precision to ensure these appliances fit correctly and apply the right amount of force to guide teeth into proper alignment. The accuracy of these custom orthodontic appliances directly influences the success of the treatment plan and the patient’s overall experience.
Delivering Aesthetic Solutions
Beyond function, labs play a huge role in the aesthetic side of dentistry. Services like crafting veneers, custom shade matching, and creating diagnostic wax-ups help you deliver the beautiful smiles your patients desire. Digital dental labs use advanced technologies like CAD/CAM systems to achieve a higher level of precision, which contributes to better aesthetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. By working closely with a lab that prioritizes aesthetics, you can confidently handle cosmetic cases and meet your patients' expectations for a natural-looking result.
Ensuring Quality Control
A reliable dental lab is defined by its commitment to quality. A rigorous quality control process ensures that every restoration meets precise measurements and standards before it ever reaches your office. This step is crucial for creating durable, long-lasting results and minimizing chairside adjustment time. When a lab consistently verifies the fit, form, and function of each case, it builds trust and helps you deliver predictable outcomes. This focus on quality assurance is a non-negotiable aspect of a strong lab partnership.
The Technology Inside a Modern Dental Lab
Step inside a modern dental lab, and you might feel like you’ve walked into a tech company. The plaster models and manual casting machines of the past are quickly being replaced by scanners, printers, and sophisticated software. This shift isn’t just about new gadgets; it’s about achieving a level of precision, speed, and consistency that was once impossible. For your practice, this means better-fitting restorations, faster turnaround times, and ultimately, happier patients. Understanding the technology that powers your lab partner helps you make the most of your collaboration and integrate these advanced workflows into your own clinic. From initial scan to final restoration, digital tools are creating a more connected and efficient process for everyone involved.
Understanding CAD/CAM Systems
At the heart of the digital lab is CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology. Think of it as a two-part system for creating perfect restorations. First, the CAD software is used to design everything from a single crown to a full-arch prosthesis with incredible detail. This digital blueprint is then sent to the CAM equipment—usually a milling machine—which carves the restoration from a solid block of material.
This process has completely transformed how labs create restorations. CAD/CAM technology allows for the creation of precise dental work that requires minimal adjustments chairside. It removes the guesswork and potential for human error associated with traditional waxing and casting methods, resulting in a consistently excellent fit and function for your patients.
The Rise of 3D Printing
While CAD/CAM mills restorations from a block (a subtractive process), 3D printing builds them layer by layer from the ground up (an additive process). This technology has opened up a world of possibilities for dental labs. Technicians can now print highly accurate dental models, custom surgical guides for implant placement, and even temporary crowns and dentures.
The biggest advantages are speed and cost-effectiveness. A lab can print multiple models or guides in the time it would take to create one using traditional methods. This efficiency is a game-changer, especially for complex cases that require careful planning. As 3D printing in dentistry continues to evolve, we’re seeing it used for an even wider range of applications, streamlining production and making custom solutions more accessible.
Working with Digital Impression Systems
The digital workflow begins in your office with the intraoral scanner. Gone are the days of messy, uncomfortable impression materials and physical molds that could warp or break in transit. Digital impression systems allow you to capture a highly detailed 3D image of the patient’s mouth and send the file to the lab instantly.
For the lab, receiving a digital impression is a huge advantage. It eliminates the variables that come with physical models, like pouring errors or distortion, providing a more accurate starting point for any restoration. This direct line of data from your scanner to their design software creates a seamless and efficient workflow, reducing the chance of remakes and ensuring the final product fits exactly as intended.
Using Cloud-Based Collaboration
With digital files replacing physical models, communication between the dental practice and the lab has become faster and more dynamic. Cloud-based platforms are now essential tools that allow for real-time collaboration on cases. You can upload scans, share notes, and review design proposals from your computer, often within minutes of the patient leaving the chair.
This immediate feedback loop is incredibly valuable. If a technician has a question about the margin or needs more information, they can reach out instantly. This level of real-time communication helps catch potential issues early, enhances workflow efficiency, and ensures that both you and the lab are perfectly aligned on the treatment plan before production even begins.
Innovations in Dental Materials
Technology isn't just about the machines; it's also about what they work with. The digital revolution in dentistry has been accompanied by incredible advancements in dental materials. Labs now have access to a wide range of high-performance ceramics, resins, and polymers that are stronger, more durable, and more lifelike than ever before.
Materials like monolithic zirconia and high-density PMMA offer exceptional strength without sacrificing aesthetics. These modern dental materials are often designed specifically for CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing, allowing labs to produce restorations that are not only precisely fitted but also built to last. For your patients, this means beautiful, long-lasting results that look and feel natural.
Understanding Lab Quality Standards and Certifications
Partnering with a dental lab is a significant decision that directly impacts your patients and your practice's reputation. But how can you be sure a lab is committed to excellence? It comes down to their quality standards and certifications. These benchmarks are your best tool for vetting a potential partner, ensuring they meet rigorous criteria for skill, safety, and consistency. Let's look at the key areas to examine.
Key Industry Certifications
Think of certifications as a professional seal of approval. They show that a lab and its technicians have gone the extra mile to validate their skills and processes. One of the most important credentials to look for is the Certified Dental Technician (CDT) designation, which indicates a technician has met high standards of knowledge and skill. On a lab-wide level, accreditations like DAMAS (Dental Appliance Manufacturers Audit Scheme) demonstrate a commitment to meeting FDA regulations and maintaining a strict quality management system. When a lab invests in these industry certifications, it signals a deep commitment to quality and professionalism that you can trust.
Vetting Material Standards
A final restoration is only as good as the materials used to create it. A top-tier lab will be completely transparent about its material sourcing and will exclusively use high-quality, biocompatible materials that meet regulatory approval. Don't hesitate to ask a potential lab partner where they source their zirconia, PMMA, or alloys. At Summit-Horizon Dental Lab, their quality control process involves carefully checking the quality and authenticity of every material they use. This ensures every crown, bridge, or denture is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and safe for your patient long-term.
Reviewing Safety Protocols
A lab’s internal safety protocols are a direct reflection of its professionalism and reliability. This goes beyond a tidy workspace; it involves systematic processes for infection control, equipment calibration, and secure data management. With the rise of digital dentistry, HIPAA compliance is more critical than ever. A reputable lab will have robust protocols to protect patient data from digital submission to final delivery. These safety measures are essential for protecting your patients and your practice, and they also contribute to a more efficient workflow with fewer errors and delays.
Methods for Quality Assurance
Quality assurance (QA) shouldn't be just a final check before a case ships out. It should be an integrated process that begins the moment you submit a prescription. The best labs build QA into every step, from case entry to design and fabrication. This often involves a multi-person verification system to catch any potential issues early. Furthermore, a core component of QA is creating clear communication channels with clinicians. A lab that prioritizes quality will make it easy to discuss cases, provide feedback, and work collaboratively to achieve the perfect result for your patient.
How to Choose the Right Dental Lab
Selecting a dental lab is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make for your practice. This isn't just about finding a vendor; it's about choosing a partner who will directly influence your clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and professional reputation. The right lab operates as a true extension of your team, sharing your commitment to quality and precision. As digital dentistry continues to reshape our workflows, the criteria for a great lab partner have also evolved.
The dental lab you choose can significantly impact the outcome of your treatments, patient satisfaction, and the overall success of your practice. A lab that lags in technology or communication can create workflow bottlenecks, lead to ill-fitting restorations, and increase chair time with adjustments. Conversely, a forward-thinking lab that embraces digital processes can help you deliver more predictable, efficient, and high-quality care. To find the right fit, you need to look beyond the price list and evaluate their expertise, communication style, efficiency, and the tangible quality of their work.
Assess Their Technical Expertise
A lab’s technical skill is the foundation of its service. Before committing, you need to verify they have the right experience and technology to handle your cases. Do they specialize in the types of restorations you perform most often, whether it’s single crowns or complex full-arch hybrids? Ask about their technicians' training and their familiarity with advanced materials and digital systems. A lab that invests in modern technology like CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing is better equipped to deliver the precise, consistent results that digital dentistry promises. Don’t hesitate to ask which specific systems they use to ensure compatibility with your practice’s workflow.
Evaluate Communication and Support
A great lab relationship is a partnership, not just a transaction. Building a collaborative partnership with a quality lab can bring extra expertise into your practice and help protect your reputation. Look for a lab that makes communication easy and values your input. Are their technicians accessible to discuss case details or offer advice on material selection? Do they have a clear, streamlined process for case submissions and tracking? A supportive lab will work with you to solve challenges and ensure every case meets your standards, acting as a reliable resource you can count on.
Compare Turnaround Times
Predictable turnaround times are essential for managing your schedule and your patients' expectations. While speed should never come at the expense of quality, an efficient lab helps your practice run smoothly. Ask for their average turnaround times for different types of restorations and find out if they offer rush services when needed. Labs with fully integrated digital workflows can often complete cases faster and more predictably than traditional labs. This efficiency means your patients spend less time in temporaries and you can complete treatments sooner, which benefits everyone.
Consider Cost vs. Value
While budget is always a factor, the cheapest lab is rarely the most cost-effective. The true value of a lab lies in the quality of its work and the efficiency it brings to your practice. A low-cost crown that requires 30 minutes of adjustments is far more expensive than a perfectly fitted restoration that you can seat in minutes. When you factor in the cost of chair time, remakes, and the impact on patient satisfaction, the value of precision becomes clear. A lab that delivers predictable, high-quality results saves you time and helps you build a reputation for excellence.
Review Their Finished Work
The best way to gauge a lab’s quality is to see it for yourself. Before sending a complex case, ask to see examples of their finished work, particularly for procedures you frequently perform. Many high-quality labs have case portfolios or are willing to share examples that showcase their craftsmanship. For an even better assessment, consider sending a few smaller, straightforward cases as a trial. This allows you to experience their entire process firsthand, from submission to final seating. Periodically reviewing the quality of work and providing constructive feedback helps maintain high standards and strengthens your partnership over time.
How to Build a Strong Partnership with Your Lab
Choosing a dental lab is more than just outsourcing fabrication; it’s about finding a partner who can help you deliver exceptional results for your patients. The right lab becomes an extension of your practice, sharing your commitment to quality and patient satisfaction. A strong, collaborative relationship is built on more than just sending and receiving cases—it’s founded on clear communication, integrated processes, mutual support, and a shared desire to stay at the forefront of dental innovation.
When your practice and your lab are in sync, you can achieve a level of precision and efficiency that elevates your work. This partnership streamlines your workflow, minimizes errors, and reduces the need for chairside adjustments, ultimately saving you valuable time. Think of your lab technicians as trusted colleagues. By investing in this relationship, you not only improve your clinical outcomes but also build a support system that can help you tackle complex cases and grow your practice with confidence. The most successful dental practices view their lab as an indispensable part of the team.
Establish Clear Communication
Effective partnerships start with clear, consistent communication. Misunderstandings can lead to remakes and delays, so it’s essential to establish a reliable system from the beginning. Go beyond the standard prescription form and provide detailed notes, photos, and any specific instructions that can help your technician visualize the final result. A great lab will also be proactive, reaching out to clarify details or offer suggestions. Agree on the best communication channels, whether it's a dedicated phone line, email, or a digital portal, to ensure your messages are always received and addressed promptly. This open dialogue builds trust and ensures everyone is aligned on the case goals.
Integrate Your Clinical Workflow
A seamless workflow between your clinic and lab is the key to efficiency and predictability. When your processes are integrated, cases move smoothly from digital impression to final restoration with fewer hiccups. This is where a lab that embraces digital technology truly shines. By using compatible systems for digital scans, case submission, and design collaboration, you can significantly reduce turnaround times and improve accuracy. Discuss your current clinical setup with a potential lab to ensure your technologies are compatible. A well-integrated digital workflow not only makes your life easier but also directly contributes to a better, more precise fit for your patients.
Lean on Their Technical Support
Your dental lab is a valuable resource of specialized knowledge. Don’t hesitate to lean on their technicians for advice on material selection, case design, or handling a particularly challenging restoration. A quality lab partner is invested in your success and is happy to share their expertise. Before starting a complex case, consider a quick call with your lead technician to discuss the plan. This collaborative approach can help you anticipate potential challenges and choose the best path forward. This kind of support is invaluable, turning a simple supplier relationship into a true collaborative partnership that helps you deliver the best possible care.
Pursue Continuing Education Together
The field of dentistry is constantly evolving, with new materials and techniques emerging all the time. A great lab partner is committed to staying current and will often provide educational opportunities for their clients. Ask if the lab offers webinars, workshops, or training on new technologies or products. Attending these sessions together strengthens your partnership and ensures you are both up-to-date on the latest advancements. This shared commitment to continuing education keeps your practice competitive and demonstrates a mutual dedication to excellence. When both you and your lab are learning and growing together, your patients are the ultimate beneficiaries.
What's Next for Dental Labs?
The dental laboratory landscape is changing faster than ever before. What was once a craft-based industry is quickly becoming a hub of high-tech innovation. For dental professionals, staying aware of these shifts is key to providing the best patient care and keeping your practice competitive. The future is about integrating technology, materials, and communication in smarter ways. Let's look at the key trends shaping the dental labs of tomorrow.
The Evolution of Digital Workflows
The move from analog to digital is picking up speed, and it’s completely reshaping how labs and clinics work together. The adoption of advanced technologies like CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing means that everything from taking impressions to designing restorations happens on a screen. This shift eliminates many of the manual steps that used to cause delays and inconsistencies. For your practice, this means faster turnaround times, fewer errors, and restorations that fit perfectly with minimal adjustments. It also opens the door for much closer collaboration, allowing you to review and approve designs in real-time before anything is ever fabricated.
The Impact of Advanced Materials
Alongside digital workflows, we're seeing a revolution in the materials used to create restorations. Gone are the days of being limited to just a few options. Today, labs are working with monolithic materials like AvaDent’s digital dentures, which are milled from a single block of high-density, pre-shrunk acrylic. This process results in a prosthetic that is significantly stronger and more resistant to bacteria and stains. The rise of these advanced materials often requires specialized equipment, which is why we're seeing a trend toward larger, more technologically advanced labs that can invest in the necessary infrastructure to deliver superior, longer-lasting results for your patients.
The Role of AI and Automation
Artificial intelligence and automation are no longer just concepts; they are practical tools that are making dental labs more efficient and precise. AI-powered software can now assist with everything from designing a crown to identifying potential issues before a case goes into production. This reduces the chance of human error and ensures a consistent, high-quality outcome every time. Cloud-based platforms and integrated case management systems also improve dental practice efficiency by streamlining communication and cutting down on manual administrative tasks. This allows both your team and the lab technicians to focus on what really matters: the clinical work.
Expanding Customization for Patients
Ultimately, all of this technology leads to one major benefit: a higher degree of personalization for your patients. Digital files allow for incredibly precise and customized restorations that are tailored to each individual’s unique anatomy and aesthetic preferences. This level of detail was difficult to achieve with traditional methods. Furthermore, digital labs produce far less waste since they create restorations directly from digital files. And with a digital record on file, like the one AvaDent provides, a lost or broken denture can be replaced quickly and exactly, offering patients incredible peace of mind and convenience.
Streamline Your Practice with the Right Lab
Choosing a dental lab is one of the most critical decisions for your practice. The right partner does more than just fabricate restorations; they become an integral part of your team, directly influencing your efficiency, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction. A strong lab relationship is built on a foundation of clear communication, shared quality standards, and a seamless workflow. When your practice and lab are perfectly in sync, you can reduce remakes, save valuable chair time, and consistently deliver exceptional results that keep patients smiling. Let’s walk through the key steps to create a highly effective partnership that helps your practice thrive.
Manage Case Quality from the Start
The best way to ensure consistently high-quality results from your lab is to be proactive. This isn't about micromanagement; it's about collaboration. Make it a habit to periodically review the work you receive and provide clear, constructive feedback. When a case is perfect, let them know what you loved about it. If something is off, provide specific details and photos to help them understand your preferences. This open dialogue helps the lab learn your exact standards for everything from contact points to shade matching. By investing time in this feedback loop, you build a stronger partnership, minimize errors, and ensure every case meets your expectations from the get-go, fostering a truly collaborative relationship.
Integrate New Lab Technologies
Partnering with a lab that embraces innovation can completely transform your clinical workflow. Modern labs that utilize digital dentistry solutions like CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing offer unparalleled precision and speed. When your lab works with digital impressions and monolithic materials, you get restorations that fit perfectly with minimal adjustment. This not only saves you significant chair time but also leads to better, more predictable patient outcomes. When evaluating a potential lab, always ask about their technology. A lab that invests in digital tools is a lab that invests in providing you—and your patients—with the best possible product. This alignment ensures your practice stays at the forefront of modern dentistry.
Train Your Team on Lab Protocols
For a lab partnership to run smoothly, everyone on your team needs to be on the same page. Your lab has specific protocols for submitting cases, and it’s essential that your entire clinical staff understands them. From the dental assistant taking the impression to the front office team member managing the case submission, consistency is key. Hold a team meeting to walk through the lab’s requirements for prescriptions, photos, and digital scans. Establishing clear, internal standard operating procedures for lab communication reduces the risk of errors and eliminates frustrating delays. When your team sends clean, complete information every time, the lab can work more efficiently, and you get your cases back faster.
Optimize Your Submission Process
The quality of your case submission directly impacts the quality of the final restoration. A detailed, accurate submission is the foundation for a successful outcome. Whether you’re sending physical impressions or digital scans, ensure they are clean and precise. Fill out the lab prescription with as much detail as possible, including notes on shade, desired materials, and any specific patient considerations. A streamlined digital submission process can make this even easier, allowing you to upload files and notes directly. Taking a few extra minutes to double-check your submission can save hours of chair time later by preventing the need for remakes or extensive adjustments, ensuring a smooth experience for both your team and your patient.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I justify the higher cost of a digital lab over a cheaper, traditional one? Think about the value of your chair time. A lower-cost restoration that requires 20 minutes of adjustments is far more expensive than a perfectly fitted one from a digital lab that you can seat in five minutes. The precision of digital workflows means fewer remakes, predictable results, and happier patients who trust your work. The true cost isn't on the invoice; it's in the efficiency and reputation that a high-quality lab helps you build.
My practice isn't fully digital yet. Can I still work with a high-tech lab? Absolutely. Most modern labs are well-equipped to bridge the gap. They can work with your traditional PVS impressions by scanning them in-house to create a digital model. This allows you to benefit from the precision of their digital design and manufacturing process without having to invest in a scanner right away. It can be a great way to ease into a digital workflow at your own pace.
What's the best way to give feedback or address a problem with a case without sounding confrontational? The best approach is to treat it as a collaborative conversation, not a complaint. Pick up the phone and talk to your lead technician. Be specific about the issue, use photos to illustrate your point, and frame the discussion around achieving the best clinical outcome. A great lab wants this feedback because it helps them learn your specific preferences and ensures they get it right the next time.
I'm thinking of switching labs. What kind of case should I send as a trial? Start with your bread and butter—a routine, single-unit posterior crown. This is a case you're incredibly familiar with, making it the perfect benchmark. It allows you to assess the lab's entire process on a low-stakes restoration, from their communication and turnaround time to the final fit, contacts, and occlusion. This gives you a clear picture of their quality before you trust them with a more complex case.
Is it better to use one full-service lab for everything or find specialists for different types of cases? This really depends on the focus of your practice. Working with a single, high-quality, full-service lab can create incredible consistency and streamline your workflow. However, if a significant portion of your work involves highly specialized procedures, like complex cosmetic veneers or full-arch implant cases, you might benefit from partnering with a boutique lab that focuses exclusively on that niche. The goal is to find a partner whose expertise matches the work you do most.
