Tooth pain? Cracked tooth? You dutifully call and make an appointment at your dentist. After careful examination, your dentist tells you that you need a crown. You spend the next little bit in the dentist's chair with fingers in your mouth and a drill down grinding away at some part of your mouth that you've likely never really thought very much about. The dentist takes and impression (or if you're lucky a digital scan) and sends it off to the lab. You're strutting out of the office with your numb mouth and brand new composite tooth and have likely never thought (or asked)...now what?
Well, the answer to that is easy but ever-changing. In some offices, and depending upon which teeth need restoration, your dentist may take care of your needs right there in the office. While some dental offices have purchased their own machines to manufacture some restorative appliances, dentists regularly partner with a dental laboratory to fulfill the majority of their restorations. The aesthetics and success of the restoration is critically dependent upon this relationship between the dentist and the laboratory technician. Today’s dental patients are in a good position as there are countless treatment options due to new materials and new technology. However, with so many different materials, it is important to have a trained and educated dental technician that understands biocompatibility issues to provide input to the dentist relative to an R/X and treatment plan.
Your impression (goopy or otherwise) is sent to one of the dental office's preferred dental labs. Now - this selection can be THE critical factor in the success of your dental restoration. The skills and experience of a dental laboratory technician can literally make or break your dental outcomes. Dental laboratory technicians are uniquely different than other allied dental team members. Many dental techs are owned or employed by independent dental laboratories and are not a direct employee of a dentist.
For dentists, participation in the current global economy requires caution and diligence to ensure that the laboratory that they choose to fabricate restorative products for their patients — including crowns, dentures, bridges, and veneers— is both competent and transparent. Like all professions, there's a spectrum of skills and quality. Some dental offices will select their preferred laboratory based solely on the lowest price. While this seems like a good idea to keep costs down, many offices do not pass these reduced fees over to their patients. In most states, anyone can open a dental laboratory and start providing services to a dentist with zero background in dental laboratory technology. Surprisingly, many dentists do not question their labs as to where their dental restorations come from, and there are others that just don't care if products are not of a certain quality as long as the price is right.
Patients should feel comfortable asking these questions to their dentist:
1) Is the dental laboratory you work physically located within the US?
2) Does the dental laboratory outsource their products to other countries?
3) What patient contact materials will be used in my restoration? Are they manufactured from U.S. FDA registered materials?
4) How long have you been a partner with this dental laboratory?
5) What qualifications does your dental laboratory technician hold?
6) Has the dentist visited the lab?
7) If the laboratory is local, is the patient able to visit the lab if desired.
The Certified Dental Technician designation remains the ‘gold standard’ for the industry, as it is the only
certification program recognized by the ADA. While some dental technology professionals have attended accredited programs for learning their craft, many talented technicians have learned on the job by working in the field that they love. The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) formed in 1955 as an independent certification organization dedicated to improving the quality of dental laboratory technology through voluntary testing and certification of dental laboratories and technicians.
Have questions? Send us an email, or follow us on Instagram to learn more about our Charlotte area dental lab.
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