Deciding on a dental laboratory is one of the most important decisions you will make as a dentist.
Why is it important to choose a digital dental lab?
Digital dental technology is inexorably changing our workflows. A solid lab relationship is a core part to fit in the digital revolution and provide comprehensive care to patients. For those starting out on the digital journey, the good digital lab can provide guidance, training, and even in-time services when needed. For intermediate and advanced digital dentists, the right lab extends treatment and care capabilities, helping them to stay on the leading edge of productivity and excellence.
Several factors to help:
1. Quality
An unwavering commitment to producing high-quality products is one vital aspect of selecting a dental lab. Check to see if there is any professional certification of dental laboratories and technicians. And ensure that the lab uses FDA-certified materials. Before deciding on a lab, you can also request samples of the lab’s products.
2. Consistency
Excellent samples are not the only variable in deciding on a dental lab. The ongoing relationship with a lab depends to a large degree on how the lab is able to sustain the initial quality level over time. Ask if the lab can guarantee turn-around time. Also, inquire about the lab’s quality-control process.
3. Expertise
Remember that the success of treatment relies heavily on the laboratory technician’s skill. A great dental digital lab can meet every need of your patient, no matter how complex or rare the case is. Furthermore, in a digital dental lab, there have to be skilled technicians to create the design using up-to-date software and hardware that is fast and efficient.
4. Up-to-Date
Many dental laboratories can handle basic products, but not every lab can keep up with dentistry’s latest technologies. Owning digital equipment that is virtually mistake-free when creating digital restorations is crucial for digital dental labs. It’s best to have lab scanners, CAD/CAM systems, milling machines, and 3D printers so that they can create better dental products for your practice.
The dental laboratory you’ll work with will affect the quality of service and products you can provide to your patients. Think of the digital dental lab as your business partner—it must be able to support you and help grow your dental practice.
