What the Lab Wishes Every New Dentist Knew
The transition from dental school to daily restorative practice is significant. While clinical training provides a strong foundation, the day-to-day workflow between the dentist and the dental lab is often where new clinicians experience the steepest learning curve.
Understanding how to communicate clearly with your lab and how preparation, records, and case documentation affect the final outcome can improve restoration quality, reduce remakes, and shorten chairside adjustment time.
This guide outlines the core insights every new dentist should know when working with a dental lab.
- Clear Margins Are Essential
The most accurate restoration begins with margin clarity. Incomplete margins require assumption, and assumption increases adjustment time.
Key Points:
- Ensure margins are fully visible and continuous around the entire preparation.
- Retraction is just as important as the prep itself.
- Take a moment to confirm visibility before scanning or impressioning.
Outcome: Better marginal fit, fewer high spots, and less time adjusting at delivery.
- Shade Selection Requires More Than a Shade Tab
Lighting conditions, dehydration, and photography all affect shade matching.
Best Practices:
- Take shade before tooth isolation or preparation.
- Use natural light or color-corrected operatory lighting.
- Send shade photos with a shade tab placed in the same vertical plane as the tooth.
Outcome: More predictable esthetic results and reduced shade remakes.
- Preparation Design Influences Material Success
Different restorative materials perform best under different preparation designs.
Examples:
|
Material |
Recommended Notes |
|
Monolithic Zirconia |
Smooth, rounded internal line angles; adequate reduction for strength |
|
Lithium Disilicate (e.g., E.max) |
Requires uniform reduction and no sharp edges for optimal milling |
|
Layered Ceramics |
Best for high-esthetic anterior cases with controlled occlusal load |
Outcome: Correct prep design supports restoration strength and longevity.
- Provide Complete Case Information
More information leads to a restoration that matches your intent.
At minimum, include:
- Restoration type and material preference
- Occlusal scheme considerations
- Desired esthetic outcome (e.g., “match central incisor,” “subtle translucency”)
- Any planned provisional or soft tissue considerations
Outcome: The lab produces the restoration you intended, not one we have to guess at.
- Communication with the Lab Should Be Ongoing
Successful cases often start before the preparation appointment.
We encourage clinicians to:
- Send pre-op photos for review before the patient arrives
- Discuss restoration design options for challenging aesthetics
- Call the lab for planning on implant, full arch, or complex occlusion cases
Outcome: Fewer surprises, smoother delivery appointments, and greater patient satisfaction.
- The Lab Is a Clinical Partner, Not Just a Manufacturer
Strong collaboration improves treatment outcomes. The most predictable results come when the lab and clinician work together on material selection, preparation guidance, and case sequencing — not simply at the end of fabrication.
Outcome: Reduced chair time, better results, and stronger patient trust.
How Global Laboratories Supports New Clinicians
At Global Laboratories, we provide guidance and support for clinicians at every experience level, including:
- Case planning support before preparation
- Digital scanning and treatment workflow assistance
- Material recommendations based on function and esthetics
- Step-by-step communication on complex cases
Our goal is to make restorative dentistry efficient, predictable, and clinically sound.
Ready to Start Your Next Case?
If you are beginning your practice journey or refining your restorative workflow, we’re here to support you.
Contact Global Laboratories to send a case.