Dental Labs and Dentists Communication – A Match Made in Heaven

Would you serve a Michelin-star dish on a paper plate? No-never. In the same way, skilled, certified professional dentists and their 'magical fingers' can fall flat with a subpar dental laboratory (lab). In my practice years as as a Prosthodontist/Implantologist, I've had patients literally search for 'dentist with dental labs near me.' I'd say they are clever. Dental labs and dentists communication is more like ballroom dancers—a partnership of communication, precision, and trust. When done right, your dental crowns, bridges and dentures are masterpiece. When done wrong? Let’s just say it’s a cracked crown waiting to happen.

Best Dental Labs Can Truly Be the Backbone of a Dentist

Dentistry is a lot about tools and materials. A dentist can make the best of moulds, 3D digital scans and accurate dental implant strategies; without communicating his skillset, treatment plan and predicted patient outcomes to the dental lab, he is signing up for disaster. Conversely,  the best dental lab in the world can only work with what they’re given. If the dentist sends a poor impression or unclear instructions, the final product will reflect that.

A strong dental lab and dentist communication ensure 3 benefits:

Less repetitions

This is the biggest nightmare for a dentist. Repeating denture trials, implant bisques trials and more means repeated appointments, increasing overheads and less time to attend to new patients. A robust lab-dentist partnership ensures zero to no repititions.

Fewer trials and adjustments

Mismatched fit, incorrect bite/occlusion, or inaccurate colour matching/shades lead to excessive trial sessions and unnecessary adjustments. Clear communication and precise lab work mean that restorations fit well the first time, significantly reducing the back-and-forth and making chairside workflows smoother.

Happier patients

Patients value efficiency and quality.

When a restoration fits perfectly the first time, they avoid the inconvenience of multiple visits. The dentist-lab communication improves more than case accuracy; it enhances patient satisfaction. The result? Better reviews and referrals.

Dental Labs and Dentists Communication – What Research Says

I came across this 2025 study on 'Laboratory Communication for Optimal Patient Outcomes' by Marjan Moghadam, Dennis Urban, Steve Pigliacelli published in the journal - Dental Clinics of North America.

This got me to writing this article in the first place!

Here they discuss 3 key features:

• The various modes of communication available to the modern dentist.

• How technological advancements have shaped and reshaped these modes of dental labs and dentists communication for the better.

• How lab-dentist communication is at the core of 'the' one goal – positive patient outcomes.

Here is a quick elaboration of each.

Lab-dentist Communication Modes Available to the Modern Dentist

Traditional methods, such as written work authorisations, continue to remain the gold standard. These documents should encompass detailed instructions, including patient identification, specific design requirements, material choices, and aesthetic preferences .

However, reliance solely on written communication can lead to misunderstandings if not sufficiently detailed – that's where tech comes in.

Technology Building the Blocks of Lab-dentist Communication

We live in the age of instant everything – text, food, delivery – so why not dentistry? With digital workflows, the dentist-lab partnership has evolved dramatically.

• Digital scans over or together with hand-made plaster tooth moulds. Digital scans provide pinpoint accuracy, reduce errors, and allow labs to start designing restorations immediately.

• Digital photographs, or even better, face scans over facial measurements. These digital files can be transmitted instantly to laboratories, expediting the workflow and enhancing accuracy. They also ensure real-time working with the patient, in their absence.

• Milling and printing:  Labs that invest in cutting-edge tech can create same-day or next-day crowns with materials that rival traditional lab work.

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) - technology minimises human error and reduces the need for manual adjustments .​

Are you wondering if CEREC (Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) can replace all of these? The answer is, if not all, some. We'll discuss more on CEREC in another blog post. Stay tuned.

• Cloud-based platforms facilitate seamless collaboration – an interconnectedness that ensures all issues are promptly addressed, and modifications are implemented without delay, in real time.

Dental Labs and Dentists Communication for Positive Patient Outcomes

The synergy between dental laboratories and dentists does one thing right – it ensures your brand reputation, referrals and directly impacts ROIs.

How?

When prostheses meet the functional and aesthetic expectations of both the dentist and the patient, the ecosystem of a dental practice remains healthy, functioning and immune from unwanted surprises.

Miscommunication or inadequate information can lead to bad fit viz. patient discomfort, and increased chairside time for adjustments. A good BTS communication strategy, including detailed work authorisations and digital workflows, can cut down the incidence of such complications.

The lab-dentist communication has to be collaborative so it fosters continuous learning and improvement. 

Feedback loops between dentists and technicians are a no-expense way for learning, refining techniques and knowing about materials – ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.

Secret Tips for a Equitable Dental Labs and Dentists Communication

A great lab isn’t just a service provider; they’re an extension of your clinical team. Here’s how to make that relationship thrive:

Treat Your Lab Techs Like Colleagues, Not Vendors

Your lab is your partner in creating stellar patient outcomes. Regularly check in, ask for their input, and involve them in treatment planning discussions.

Send Quality Photos Along with Your Cases

Shade guides, bite records, and high-res images make a world of difference in ensuring a natural look. A picture is worth a thousand adjustments!

Plan Ahead for Complex Cases

Don’t send a full-mouth rehab case to the lab with a 'needed ASAP' note. Honestly, that is a red flag, albeit don't overcommit to patients about 'smile in a day.' Give them the time they need to produce high-quality work, and work out deadlines together.

Stay Educated on Lab Capabilities

Materials evolve, workflows change, and new techniques emerge. Attending lab-sponsored courses or workshops can give you insight into what’s possible and how you can collaborate better.

Key Takeaways

Traditional dental labs and dentist communication methods have laid the foundation for what we follow today, or will in the coming days. But staying stuck to just that can be detrimental to a dental practice, and to patient health in the long run. What we need today is the trust of the conventional methods, and the speed, accuracy and versatility of the newer ways.

As a dentist - expanding your communication horizons with the best dental labs is the way forwaed to seamless workflows, superior restorations, and ecstatic patients.

For dental labs – implementing and educating dentists and technicians about the latest tools, machines, software and flexible payment options can win more dentists as clients and boost brand name.

How 'drmedhcomms' Can Help

I have been the dentist, have collaborated and trained technicians as a prosthodontist, and have faced patients when things go awry.

So if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, we need better content like this for our blog, website, or marketing materials”—you’re in luck! I specialise in just that – crafting engaging, insightful content for dental professionals, labs, and DSOs, both for marketing and for scientific publications.

In case you are looking for dental advisory and KOL services, even better. I'm all eager to see how best to support you.