By: Stephen Malone, DMD
This Topic Originally Appeared On Pankeygram.Org. Dr. Malone granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers.
Running a successful dental practice nowadays involves close collaboration with the dental lab. This is easily possible if you have the dental lab in-house because this simplifies the dentist-lab communication.
Everybody can give their best for an excellent final outcome and avoid the unnecessary recalls for small adjustments that could be fixed same-day only if you have an in-house dental lab. Any dental team is incomplete in doing indirect restorations without the vital part of it – the dental laboratory.
Our practice has a big team of four dentists, four hygienists, six dental assistants, two patient coordinators, a practice manager with two front-office patient care specialists, and one more master dental lab technician – Bob. He is a great addition to our team that collaborates with our doctors on all dental restorations requiring lab work.
Recently, I was thinking again about how grateful I am for my association with Bob and for the many benefits of having his lab located downstairs within our practice facility. Perhaps, having a dental lab in-house is something other dentists might aspire to eventually have in their own private practice.
Completing Your Team With In-House Dental Lab
Below find some of the benefits of in-house collaboration between dentists and dental technicians.
1. More Comprehensive Case Planning
Using the expertise of both professionals can help us maximize the successful results by planning every case to each small detail. Bob is involved in case planning just as much as I and the other dentists. We can sit side by side to collaborate on treatment using a combination of digital 3D modeling and analog articulated models and wax-ups.
Being able to see directly the clinical situation by the technician is different from what we can communicate through phone. Sometimes the dentists may need to tell the lab how they want the restoration to be depending on the case and likewise how the technician may need the preps to maximize the final esthetic and function outcomes.
Finally, the patients feel that they are getting comprehensive care from professionals, especially in complex cases. Bob, our dental technician routinely comes into the operatory or the consultation room to meet with patients.
As he explains his involvement in their care and how the highest quality materials and latest techniques will be used, they become fascinated by the laboratory methods and technologies. Some request a tour of the lab and want to watch some of the process.
2. Predictable Design Of Restorations Even In Complex Cases
We use digital designs for all prosthetics. Bob’s professional-grade 3D printers work all day long for predictable, efficient fabrication of custom restorations. Then he hand-paints and glazes the crowns and prosthetics for optimal natural aesthetics.
Because he is involved in planning our most complex cases that involve implant supported hybrid denture, he is deeply invested in the details that allow the finished product to be delivered with ease.
3. Same Day Dentistry Solutions
Having his lab in-house allows us to rapidly fix issues that arise, for example, alterations to a restoration when it doesn’t quite fit right or has a slightly incorrect shade. Instead of waiting for days or weeks to deliver back and forth a restoration to an outside lab, we make the changes here on the same day.
For Patients undergoing clear aligner treatment, we manufacture our clear aligners in-house. If a patient loses or damages a tray, it is immediately replaced so the patient doesn’t lose precious time in treatment. The same goes for our occlusal splints, night guards, sports mouth guards, and Essix retainers.
One of the branding traits of our practice that has earned us our high reputation is the in-house laboratory. Without a doubt, having this lab just downstairs is a major way in which we enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients.
In Conclusion
Being a good dentist means having a comprehensive knowledge of fabrication and delivery protocols of each restoration. At The Pankey Institute we pay attention to improve the dentist-lab communication – an indicator of excellent clinical results.
Looking to learn more about the technical part of dentistry? Join us to master various appliance designs, articulation of models and fabrication techniques, as well as implementing precise delivery protocols through advanced dental education.
