As a dentist, you can partner with dental labs to fabricate custom prosthetics for your patients. Dental laboratories have highly maintained facilities and skilled personnel ready to create dentures, crowns, bridges, abutments, and implants. Such prosthetics require precision to provide comfort and functionality. Here are a few ways labs maintain high standards of precision:
Sophisticated Digital Technology
Traditional lab technicians and dentists relied on manual processes involving physical molds for impressions and visual assessments for color selection. While successful, such approaches arenโt as precise as digital scanners. Modern laboratories utilize advanced digital technologies, including computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). These systems enable technicians to design prosthetics with enhanced precision, resulting in a comfortable fit. The designs are also milled or printed using state-of-the-art machinery, reducing the chances of error.
Your dental office can utilize intraoral scanners to capture high-resolution impressions of the patientโs oral structures. If you use physical molds, dental labs can still produce precise prosthetics using three-dimensional scanners that capture exact measurements from the impressions. Digital shade-matching tools result in restorations that blend seamlessly with the patient’s natural teeth. All restoration files are also stored for future replication and adjustment if necessary.
High-Quality Materials
Dental laboratories use high-quality materials to produce safe, durable, and visually appealing prosthetics. They source premium materials from trusted suppliers, resulting in consistent performance. Dental restoration materials include ceramics, composite resins, and metals selected for their strength and biocompatibility.
Labs may use advanced zirconia or porcelain for their durability and translucent finish, which mimics the appearance of natural enamel. They also have medical-grade alloys for stability and long-term wear. Materials are handled, stored, and processed in accordance with strict protocols to maintain their integrity.
Lab technicians work with the right tools to achieve proper bonding and finishing. Substandard materials may compromise patient safety and the function of the prosthetic, resulting in poor outcomes and potential remakes. As a dental practitioner, choose reputable labs that source their materials from certified providers.
Skilled Technicians and Craftsmanship
The expertise of skilled lab technicians is indispensable in creating precise restorations customized for each patient. Human oversight is required when selecting materials or using digital tools to design and fabricate dental prosthetics. Dental technicians who fabricate the prosthetics undergo several years of training to master the craft. Theyโre skilled at determining the ideal shape, texture, and shade for restorations, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, and veneers.
Technicians also use hand tools to refine contours or adjust occlusions. Skilled shading and layering enable your patients to achieve smooth, natural finishes that replicate the translucency and variations of natural teeth. Machines and digital tools are precise, but their components still require minor adjustments to achieve a comfortable fit. Lab technicians also coordinate with your dental office for clinical feedback and ongoing maintenance to keep the restorations aesthetic and functional. They learn from each interaction and adjust their techniques to match the evolving needs of patients.
Strict Quality Control
Labs implement strict quality control measures, which help provide safe, comfortable, and reliable restorations that function as intended. Technicians use RX information and details from other documents or communications to understand the most efficient way of creating your restorations. Open communication with your dental office allows for instant inquiries and feedback. The final product is tested before completion to verify it meets the agreed-upon standards.
Consult Experienced Dental Labs Today
Working with a lab allows you to provide timely dental prosthetics to your patients. Even with an in-house facility, lab services will help you meet rapid turnaround times during peak periods or when scaling up your business. Consult with dental labs today to learn more about their services.
