Literally the building blocks of dental restorations, dental laboratory materials are used to fabricate every type of indirect dental restoration. From dental models, to wax-ups for casting or design study, to final restorations in metal, ceramic, acrylic, or a combination, these materials—and the tools and supplies that work with them—are critical to providing dental prostheses.
What Types of Materials do I Need for my Dental Lab?
Deciding which dental materials you need for your lab starts with determining what types of restorations you will be producing, and what processes, techniques and technologies you will be using to produce them.
Whether your lab focuses on fixed crowns and bridges, removable restorations, implant-supported restorations, or orthodontics, it is highly likely you will need
model materials including
gypsums used to create study and working models. Of course some high tech labs will 3D print their models or produce restorations without a model. Those labs will be using digital dental technologies and most likely will use
CAD/CAM materials when producing restorations. Labs focused on fixed restorations will want
crown and bridge materials including
ceramic systems,
stains and glazes, and possibly
alloys. Labs focused on full and partial dentures will need
removable materials such as
acrylic resins and
denture teeth. Specialty labs that work on implant-supported cases will want to keep a supply of
precision attachments on hand. There are many options, but every dental lab material has a specific application.
What Should I Consider When Selecting Dental Lab Materials?
The first consideration when choosing a dental material to work with should always be whether or not the material is designed for the type of restoration and fabrication process you plan to use. Materials all require specific processing, often on equipment that is specific to that material or category. Before investing in a new dental lab material it is important to make sure you have the equipment necessary to use the material, or that you plan to purchase the equipment along with the material.
Once you are sure your lab is ready to process the material, it is important to be sure you have proper training and follow the instructions. Be sure to use the materials for the correct indications, and to consider how the material will contribute to your ability to produce functional and esthetic restorations. Other things to consider include the processing time, the shades available with a material system, and they system’s compatibility with related materials that might be used on the same restoration.
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