Technology Evangelist Podcast
Technology Evangelist Podcast
Hosted by Dr. John Flucke, this weekly podcast delivers practical insights & expert conversations on the latest dental technologies - from AI and digital workflows to 3D printing & practice innovation - helping clinicians elevate care & efficiency.
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Episode 60: Jorge Alegre & Paolo Lubrano on how Digital Dentistry Is Transforming the Dental Lab

Episode 60: Jorge Alegre & Paolo Lubrano on how Digital Dentistry Is Transforming the Dental Lab

11/4/2026 11:50:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 76
Digital dentistry is changing more than how dental practices deliver treatment. It's also transforming how dental laboratories and clinicians collaborate, plan cases, and produce restorations.

In Episode 60 of the Technology Evangelist Podcast, host Dr. John Flucke sits down with Jorge Alegre, CDT, and Paolo Lubrano, MDT, two experienced dental technicians who bring a unique perspective to the evolution of digital dentistry. Having worked across traditional and digital laboratory workflows, both guests have witnessed firsthand how technology is reshaping the industry.

From intraoral scanning and 3D printing to full-arch implant rehabilitation and digital treatment planning, their conversation highlights an important message: Technology works best when clinicians and dental laboratories work together.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from their discussion.

1. Digital Dentistry Is Improving Communication Between Dentists and Labs

One of the biggest challenges in traditional dentistry has always been communication between the clinical team and the dental laboratory.

With conventional impressions, technicians often had to work around imperfections, unclear margins, and incomplete information. Experienced technicians could sometimes compensate for these issues, but doing so required additional time, skill, and guesswork.

Digital workflows are helping bridge that gap.

Intraoral scans allow clinicians and technicians to review case information on a screen before a restoration is fabricated. This gives both sides an opportunity to identify potential problems earlier in the process.

Paolo shared an example involving implant restorations. If adjacent teeth are angled toward a scan body, the resulting restoration could create an undesirable contact or food trap. Identifying these concerns during the planning stage gives the clinician an opportunity to make corrections before sending the case to the lab.

The takeaway? Digital communication makes it easier to catch potential problems before they become patient complaints.

2. Better Scanning Starts With Better Clinical Preparation

While intraoral scanners have made restorative workflows more efficient, they have also made imperfections easier to see.

Paolo shared a story about a dentist who purchased a scanner and was surprised when he began seeing problems with his own preparations. His margins, which had previously been difficult to evaluate through conventional impressions, were suddenly much more visible.

That's one of the advantages of digital dentistry: clinicians can see details they may have missed before.

However, Jorge emphasized an important point: What the dentist captures is what the laboratory receives.

A digital workflow is only as reliable as the information provided at the beginning.

Blood, saliva, unclear margins, and inadequate tissue management can all compromise scan quality. Proper training and understanding how to capture clean, accurate scans are essential.

For clinicians struggling with difficult scanning conditions, the guests discussed techniques such as tissue retraction and double-cord packing to improve visibility and help capture the preparation accurately.

Their advice is simple: investing in a scanner is only the first step. Learning how to use it properly is what makes the difference.

3. 3D Printing Is Expanding Treatment Options

3D printing has become an increasingly valuable tool for dental practices and laboratories, offering new possibilities for restorative workflows.

Paolo discussed how he has incorporated printed materials into his work, including Rodin Titan and Rodin Sculpture 2.0.

Different materials offer different advantages depending on the clinical application:

  • Rodin Titan: A useful option for hybrid restorations and denture teeth.

  • Rodin Sculpture 2.0: Used for crowns and bridges, including implant-supported restorations.

The conversation also explored how printed restorative materials are creating additional options for patients who may not be ready for more expensive conventional treatments.

For example, printed veneer materials can offer an alternative for patients interested in improving their smiles but who may not have the budget for porcelain restorations.

Rather than spending an entire day fabricating multiple composite veneers, a digital workflow can allow the clinician to scan, design, and produce restorations more efficiently.

Of course, material selection matters. Clinicians must understand the intended applications, material properties, and limitations of each resin.

The guests also emphasized the importance of proper ventilation and safe handling practices when working with 3D printing materials and isopropyl alcohol.

As materials continue to evolve, 3D printing is opening doors to restorative possibilities that were much more difficult to achieve just a few years ago.

4. Digital Workflows Are Streamlining Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation

Full-arch implant rehabilitation is another area where digital dentistry is making a significant impact.

Traditional full-arch workflows can involve numerous appointments and multiple steps, including custom impression trays, open-tray impressions, verification jigs, denture setups, and try-ins.

Every additional step introduces another opportunity for something to go wrong.

Jorge and Paolo explained how digital technologies, including photogrammetry and digital scanning, can simplify these processes when the appropriate clinical information is available.

In some workflows, an existing denture can serve as a starting point for developing a final prosthetic plan. Instead of rebuilding every component from scratch, the laboratory can use digital information to move the case forward more efficiently.

Jorge described how a well-coordinated digital workflow can dramatically reduce laboratory production time. He even discussed completing certain full-arch digital design processes in as little as 10–15 minutes once the necessary information is received.

The real advantage isn't simply working faster. It's reducing unnecessary steps, improving predictability, and creating a more streamlined experience for both the clinician and patient.

5. Your Dental Lab Should Be a Digital Partner, Not Just a Vendor

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode was the importance of building relationships with dental laboratory technicians.

Dr. Flucke pointed out that clinicians can learn an incredible amount from experienced technicians, particularly when planning complex or less common cases.

A laboratory may see certain procedures dozens of times a year, even when an individual dentist performs them only occasionally.

That experience can be invaluable.

Jorge and Paolo emphasized that communication is essential to successful digital dentistry. They regularly work with clinicians to troubleshoot cases, discuss scanning techniques, and help identify the information needed to produce successful restorations.

This is particularly important as more practices begin incorporating 3D printing.

Going digital doesn't mean dentists need to become experts in every aspect of CAD design, material selection, and laboratory production.

A digital lab partner can handle the design and preparation of files while the practice focuses on capturing accurate scans and completing the clinical work.

The result is a collaborative workflow that allows both sides to focus on what they do best.

6. Digital Technology Makes Restorative Adjustments Easier

Another interesting discussion centered on the flexibility of digital restorative workflows.

Jorge shared how his clinical background has influenced the way he approaches laboratory cases. Having worked as a general dentist before becoming a technician, he understands how restorative decisions affect the patient once a case reaches the mouth.

One example involved adjusting the vertical dimension of a full-arch restoration.

With a digital workflow, changing a design by a couple of millimeters can be relatively straightforward. The laboratory can make adjustments in the software and produce a new restoration without repeating many of the time-consuming steps associated with conventional techniques.

The same flexibility applies to esthetic cases.

Patients don't always know exactly what they want until they see a proposed restoration in their mouths. With appropriate provisional materials, clinicians can make adjustments to shape, contours, and esthetics before committing to a final restoration.

Once the patient is satisfied, the approved result can be scanned and used as a reference for the final design.

This creates more opportunities to refine restorations around patient preferences while reducing the difficulty of making changes.

7. The Future of Dental Technology Is Still Evolving

When asked what dentistry might look like five years from now, Jorge and Paolo agreed that predicting the future is difficult given how quickly technology is advancing.

Materials that seemed revolutionary just a few years ago are already being improved, and developments in printed ceramics and zirconia could introduce entirely new possibilities.

Paolo reflected on his own experience transitioning from traditional ceramic techniques to digital workflows. Initially, he wasn't convinced that digital dentistry was the right direction. Today, he relies on software and digital tools throughout his work.

His experience highlights just how dramatically the industry has changed.

Even so, neither guest suggested that traditional materials and techniques will disappear overnight. Milled zirconia remains an important option for final restorations, and experienced technicians continue to bring something valuable to the process that technology alone cannot replace.

The future will likely involve a combination of digital tools, advanced materials, and skilled human technicians working together.

The Bottom Line: Better Technology Starts With Better Collaboration

The conversation with Jorge Alegre and Paolo Lubrano reinforces an important point: digital dentistry isn't simply about purchasing a scanner or adding a 3D printer to the office.

It's about creating a connected workflow between the dental practice and the laboratory.

Accurate scanning, proper training, material knowledge, open communication, and a reliable digital lab partner all contribute to better results.

As 3D printing and digital design continue to evolve, clinicians have more opportunities to streamline restorative procedures, expand treatment options, and improve the patient experience.

And perhaps the biggest lesson from Episode 60 is that dentists don't have to navigate this technology alone. The right laboratory partnership can make all the difference.

Want to hear more? Watch Episode 60 of the Technology Evangelist Podcast featuring Jorge Alegre, CDT, and Paolo Lubrano, MDT, for an in-depth conversation about digital dentistry, 3D printing, and the future of dental laboratory workflows.
Category: CAD-CAM, Implant Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Restorative Dentistry
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