The Foundation: Effective Communication
At the heart of every great case is great communication. The more your dental lab understands your expectations, the better they can deliver on them.
What Effective Communication Looks Like:
Clear Lab Scripts: Go beyond “PFM crown, shade A2.” Include detailed instructions on margin design, occlusion, material preferences, and patient-specific considerations.
Photos Tell the Story: Send high-quality intraoral and extraoral photos—smile lines, shade tabs, and opposing dentition can all help the lab visualize the case like you do.
Pre-Case Conversations: Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or jump on a video call for complex cases. A 5-minute chat can save hours of remakes and adjustments.
Feedback Loop: After seating a case, share results with the lab—both successes and challenges. It’s how real improvement happens.
Embracing the Digital Workflow
Let’s face it: traditional impressions and analog models still work, but digital workflows are redefining speed, accuracy, and consistency in restorative dentistry.
Benefits of Going Digital:
Scans Don’t Distort: Unlike PVS impressions, digital scans offer precision with no risk of pulling or bubbles.
Instant Transmission: Send files instantly to your lab, reducing turnaround time dramatically.
Improved Communication Tools: Digital platforms like Exocad, 3Shape, and DTX Studio allow labs and clinicians to review scans together, annotate, and modify designs in real time.
Easy Record Keeping: Digital cases are stored securely and are easy to reference for remakes or future restorations.
But technology isn’t magic—it’s a tool. Digital success still hinges on communication and case planning.
Building Relationships with Your Dental Lab
A dental lab isn’t just a service provider—it’s a partner in patient care. When you treat your lab like part of your team, they’ll do the same for you.
Best Practices for Strong Lab Relationships:
Visit the Lab (or Invite Them Over): See how they work, meet the technicians, and share your clinical approach. It humanizes the relationship.
Consistency Matters: Work with fewer labs and build deeper relationships. Familiarity builds trust, and trust builds better cases.
Respect Deadlines and Schedules: Provide adequate lead time, and your lab will return the favor with quality work.
Continuing Education Together: Attend courses or webinars with your lab partners. Learning together aligns your vision and techniques.
Managing Expectations (Yours and Theirs)
Not every restoration will be perfect. But clarity around what’s possible—and what’s realistic—can prevent a lot of frustration.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Shade Matching is an Art: Lighting, enamel thickness, and patient perception all play a role. Be patient and thorough.
Material Limitations: E.max, zirconia, or PFM—all have pros and cons. Choose based on the case, not just habit.
Don’t Skip Provisionals: They’re essential for evaluating function, esthetics, and patient feedback before final fabrication.
Real-World Scenario: From Misfire to Masterpiece
Back to Dr. Evans. After the awkward crown fit, he decided to switch things up. He scheduled a virtual meeting with his lab tech, shared his frustrations, and listened to the technician’s feedback.
They agreed to try digital scans for future cases and began using a shared online portal to exchange notes and photos. Within three months, remakes dropped by 70%. More importantly, patients noticed. “That crown fit perfectly!” one said. “You guys nailed the color,” said another.
All it took was a little more teamwork.
Conclusion
Dental lab collaboration isn’t just about sending impressions and waiting for crowns. It’s about co-creating outcomes. When communication flows clearly, digital tools are embraced, and lab relationships are nurtured, the result is better restorations—and happier patients.
So, whether you’re a seasoned clinician or just starting your journey in restorative dentistry, take the time to invest in your lab relationships. Because great dentistry doesn’t happen alone—it’s always a team effort.
FAQ: Dental Lab Collaboration
1. What should I include in a lab script?
Include prep design, margin type, shade, material preference, occlusal scheme, and patient-specific concerns. The more context, the better.
2. How do digital impressions improve lab results?
They offer precision, faster transmission, and allow for real-time collaboration on design adjustments—reducing errors and remakes.
3. Should I always call the lab before complex cases?
Yes! A quick call or video chat can clarify expectations and align treatment goals, saving time and improving results.
4. How can I choose the right lab partner?
Look for labs that are responsive, quality-driven, and interested in collaboration. Referrals from trusted colleagues are a great start.
5. Are intraoral scanners worth the investment?
For many practices, yes. They improve accuracy, efficiency, and integration with modern lab workflows.
6. How can I reduce crown adjustments?
Use high-quality impressions or scans, provide accurate bite registrations, and communicate detailed instructions to your lab.
7. What’s the best way to match shades?
Use shade tabs in natural light, include photo references, and communicate translucency, texture, and surrounding dentition.
8. How often should I provide feedback to the lab?
After every case if possible. Positive feedback builds morale, and constructive feedback helps both of you grow.
9. Can labs help with treatment planning?
Absolutely! Many labs offer case planning consultations, especially for implant or full-arch cases.
10. Is it okay to work with multiple labs?
Yes, but consistency helps. Building a relationship with a few trusted labs often leads to better, more personalized results.
