What Does a Dental Laboratory Do?

what does a dental laboratory do

Dental laboratories are often an unseen but crucial part of the dental care industry. They play a vital role in creating various dental appliances, prosthetics, and restorations that aid in maintaining oral health and improving smiles. Let’s delve into what dental laboratories do and how they contribute to the field of dentistry.

What Exactly is a Dental Laboratory?

A dental laboratory is a special place where expert technicians, called dental lab technicians, make custom dental appliances based on what dentists and patients need. These appliances can make crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic gear like braces and retainers.

How Does Dental Lab Work? 

Receiving Impressions

Dentists send dental labs pictures or molds of patients’ mouths. Then, the labs use these to make custom dental replacements.

Material Selection

Technicians pick materials based on what the patient needs and the type of prosthesis. They can use metals like gold and silver or more latest materials like ceramics and composites

Design and Fabrication

Using advanced technology like CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing), technicians design prostheses digitally before milling or 3D printing them. Skilled craftsmanship ensures precise fitting and aesthetics.

Finishing Touches

Once the prosthesis for restorative dental treatments is made, technicians work to make its surface smooth and natural-looking, similar to the real teeth nearby. They might use methods like staining, adding a shiny coating, or polishing until it matches well and looks real.

Incorporating Digital Technologies

New digital technologies have completely changed how dental labs work. Systems like CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and digital scanners make it easier to create dental replacements with better accuracy and speed. Labs that use these tools can make quality products faster, which helps both dentists and patients.

Quality Control 

Before sending the final product back to the dentist, it goes through strict quality checks to make sure it fits well, works properly, and looks good.

Repair and Maintenance Services

Dental labs are also skilled at repairing and maintaining existing dental appliances. Whether it’s fixing a broken denture or adjusting the fit of a crown, technicians can make the necessary adjustments to ensure the appliance functions properly and feels comfortable for the patient.

The Importance of Dental Laboratories

  • Customization: Every person’s dental structure is different, so dental labs focus on making custom prosthetics that fit perfectly and feel comfortable.
  • Precision: High-tech tools and expert skills make sure prosthetics are made very precisely, which leads to better results for patients.
  • Aesthetics: Dental labs care about more than just making things work well; they also want prosthetics to look good. They make sure prosthetics match natural teeth perfectly, making patients’ smiles look great and boosting their confidence.
  • Collaboration: Dental labs collaborate closely with dentists, prosthodontists, and other dental experts to make sure patients get effective care and results.

To sum up, dental labs are crucial in modern dentistry, creating personalized prosthetics and appliances with accuracy and attention. They cover everything from crowns and bridges to dentures and orthodontic gear, leading the way in innovation and restoring patients’ confidence in their smiles and oral health.

Discover Excellence in Dental Prosthetics at Synrg Lab!

At Synrg Lab, we’re committed to creating quality dental prosthetics. With our advanced facility and expert team, we create custom-made solutions for every patient. Whether it’s crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures, we focus on quality, precision, and making sure patients are happy. Choose our dental lab in Buford for a smile that truly shines.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can elevate your practice to new heights!