Dental Laboratory: Should You Bring It In-House? What to Know

How Much Would It Cost To Open a Dental Lab?

Many factors go into determining how to start a dental lab. Obtaining certification from a national board is crucial to ensure compliance with industry standards and enhance credibility. Like any business that serves outside clients, there are startup costs which include the permits, licenses, various insurances, and the facility itself, plus any renovations or upgrades, equipment, materials, supplies, computerized tracking and billing systems, labor, and marketing costs. And those things happen before you open the doors for business.

With today’s modern equipment and the cost of staffing, the investment to open a dental lab from scratch that serves outside clients could easily start at half-a-million dollars. And this is a conservative estimate. Do you have the capital to service your debt and cover the overhead until you become profitable?

What You Need To Open a Dental Lab

1. Due Diligence

Research your location’s demographics to understand your market and the niche that you want to fulfill. Understanding the latest dental technology trends is crucial to stay competitive in the market. What services will you offer? Who will be your target customers? Who is your competition, both locally and all over the world? What is unique about your business that will give it a competitive advantage? What type of legal entity will your business be?

Answering questions of this nature will help you to develop a business plan, a marketing strategy, and brand awareness, all of which are necessary for a successful business in today’s world.

2. Recruit the Best Dental Technicians

The days of hanging a sign and opening the door to start a new business are long gone. Competition is fierce. If you plan to market your services to outside clients, hire someone who understands business startups and digital/social media marketing. Your second employee should be an experienced laboratory technician with managerial skills to help get the lab up and running. Then hire additional staff as your business grows.

3. Equipment Needed To Start a Dental Laboratory

You don’t have to buy all the innovative technologies to operate a good lab. First, decide what type of services you will provide. Selecting high-quality dental materials is crucial to ensure the durability and effectiveness of dental restorations. You can get a good start with the following:

• Workbenches
• High-Quality Lighting
• Utility Equipment including dust collectors, air filtration systems, and compressors
• Handpieces
• Cleaning and Polishing Systems
• Impression Scanners
• CAD/CAM Systems
• Digital Printers
• Curing Systems
• Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Systems for repairs, relines, rebases

Modern advancements in dental technology, such as digital dentures, can also be utilized to streamline the dental workflow, reduce treatment time, and enhance the quality of care.

4. Understand Vendors and the Dental Materials Supply Chain

Materials and supplies can be expensive, especially for a small business that is unable to take advantage of economies of scale. Understanding the dental industry and its supply chain dynamics is crucial for managing costs and ensuring the timely delivery of materials. Using more complex technology requires more service to keep it running. Budget for routine maintenance to ensure that your systems remain in working order at all times.

5. Design the Lab for Maximum Space Utilization

A dental laboratory shouldn’t be an afterthought, even if it is an in-house dental lab. Advancements in dental technology can influence the design and layout of a dental lab for better efficiency. Productivity can only happen if there is sufficient space and it is arranged for ergonomics and maximum efficiency. Many dental supply houses will help you design the physical layout to improve the workflow and productivity.

Staffing and Training Requirements

The success of a dental laboratory hinges on the skills and expertise of its staff. Certified dental technicians are essential, as they possess the training and knowledge required to produce high-quality dental restorations. These professionals are well-versed in the latest dental technology and techniques, ensuring that the lab can meet the diverse needs of its clients.

Investing in ongoing training and education for staff is equally important. The dental industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methods emerging regularly. Dental laboratories should encourage their technicians to attend workshops, conferences, and online training programs to stay current with these advancements. Continuous education not only enhances the skills of the technicians but also ensures that the lab remains competitive in the market.

By prioritizing the recruitment of skilled professionals and investing in their ongoing development, dental laboratories can maintain high standards of quality and efficiency in their operations.

Space and Facility Requirements

Creating high-quality dental restorations requires a dedicated and well-equipped space. Dental laboratories should be designed with the latest dental technology in mind, including digital dentistry equipment and software. This setup not only enhances the precision and efficiency of the work but also ensures that the lab can keep pace with industry advancements.

The facility should be tailored to the specific needs of the dental laboratory. Adequate lighting is crucial for detailed work, while proper ventilation ensures a safe and comfortable environment for technicians. Sufficient storage space is also necessary to keep materials and equipment organized and easily accessible.

A clean and organized workspace is essential for maintaining high standards of quality. Dental laboratories should invest in ergonomic workstations and efficient layout designs to maximize productivity and minimize errors. By creating a well-designed and equipped facility, dental laboratories can ensure the consistent production of high-quality dental restorations.

Regulatory Compliance in the Dental Industry

Compliance with industry regulations and standards is a critical aspect of operating a dental laboratory. Dental laboratories must adhere to guidelines set by the National Association of Dental Laboratories, as well as local and national regulations. These standards ensure that the lab operates safely and ethically, providing high-quality restorations to patients.

Implementing quality control measures is essential for maintaining compliance. Regular audits and inspections help identify potential issues and ensure that the lab meets all regulatory requirements. Dental laboratories should establish clear protocols for the design and manufacture of restorations, ensuring that each product meets the necessary standards.

Staying up-to-date with the latest developments in dental technology and techniques is also important for compliance. By continuously monitoring industry trends and advancements, dental laboratories can ensure that they remain in line with current standards and provide the best possible service to their clients.

Dental Laboratory Technology and Operations

Dental laboratory technology is a rapidly evolving field, with advances in materials, techniques, and technologies transforming the way dental restorations are designed and manufactured. Modern dental labs utilize computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems to create precise and accurate restorations. These technologies allow for the creation of highly detailed digital models, which are essential for producing high-quality dental appliances. Additionally, digital dentures represent a significant advancement in dental technology, improving efficiency, precision, and patient comfort.

Dental lab technicians use a range of materials, including ceramics, metals, and polymers, to fabricate restorations that meet the unique needs of each patient. The process typically begins with the receipt of a prescription from a dentist, followed by the creation of a digital model of the patient’s teeth. This model is then used to design and manufacture the restoration, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal functionality.

The integration of advanced dental laboratory technology not only improves the accuracy and quality of restorations but also enhances the efficiency of lab operations. By leveraging these technologies, dental labs can produce restorations faster and with greater consistency, ultimately benefiting both patients and dental professionals.

Quality Control and Assurance

Quality control and assurance are critical components of any dental lab, ensuring that restorations meet the highest standards of quality and accuracy. Dental labs should implement a range of quality control measures, including regular inspections and testing of equipment and materials. This helps to identify and address any potential issues before they affect the final product.

Additionally, dental labs should establish clear protocols for the design and manufacture of restorations, ensuring that each restoration meets the unique needs of each patient. These protocols should be rigorously followed and regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date with the latest industry standards.

Quality assurance programs should also be implemented, including regular audits and evaluations of lab processes and procedures. By prioritizing quality control and assurance, dental labs can ensure that they are producing high-quality restorations that meet the needs of patients and dentists alike. This not only enhances patient satisfaction but also builds trust and credibility with dental professionals, ultimately contributing to the success of the lab.

Digital Workflow and Integration

Incorporating a digital workflow is a game-changer for modern dental laboratories. Digital dentistry allows for more accurate and efficient production of dental restorations, improving both the quality and speed of the work. By integrating digital impression systems, CAD/CAM software, and 3D printing technology, dental laboratories can streamline their processes and enhance collaboration with dental offices.

Investing in digital dentistry equipment and software is a crucial step towards modernization. These tools enable the creation of highly detailed digital models, which are essential for producing precise and high-quality dental restorations. Additionally, digital workflow integration improves communication between dental laboratories and dental offices, ensuring that restorations meet the specific needs of each patient.

Training and education are vital for successful digital workflow integration. Dental laboratories should invest in training programs to ensure that their staff is proficient in using digital dentistry tools and software. By equipping their team with the necessary skills, dental laboratories can fully leverage the benefits of digital workflow and provide superior restorations to their clients.

Should You Open a Lab or Work With an Existing Dental Lab?

Only about 3% of all dentists practicing in the United States have a full-service in-house dental lab, excluding same-day denture centers. Why? Having an in-house dental lab requires additional space and is expensive to operate. While having an in-house dental lab may be a financially smart decision for a large group practice, high labor costs and the cost of setting up automated systems, the new industry standard, are prohibitive for many small business owners.

There is a hybrid solution that combines some of the benefits of having your own in-house dental lab without the negatives that can accompany it. Invest in a 3D printer for your office’s automated workflow. This will allow you to print items like study models, surgical stents, mouthguards, and orthodontic appliances.

Then partner with a nationwide dental laboratory that offers a completely automated workflow that integrates seamlessly with the digital workflow in your office. Stomadent Dental Laboratory has built a reputation of providing high-quality fixed and removable restorations manufactured via CAD/CAM technology at a reasonable price point. Because they’re manufactured using an automated workflow by experienced laboratory technicians, your turnaround time is greatly reduced.

Stomadent: Your Full Service Dental Lab

Treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction are key drivers of dental therapy. Dentists often believe that they can improve these measures by hiring their own lab technicians and creating an in-house dental lab. Convenient—but financially impractical for many dental practitioners.

Stomadent supports oral health care by providing high-quality dental restorations that enhance patient outcomes. Although we’re not just down the hall, Stomadent Dental Laboratory can be your remote in-house dental lab by offering quality dental appliances and restorations that are precisely milled or printed to fit correctly upon delivery, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments. All in less time than it takes to make restorations using traditional laboratory methodology. 

See the difference that digital will make for your practice by learning more at our Digital Restorations page.