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Beyond the Impression? by Rita Acquafredda

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Beyond the Impression? 

Forging a strong partnership with your dental lab

by Rita Acquafredda

The successful delivery of a perfectly fitted crown or a meticulously crafted denture is often seen as the final act in a patient’s journey to a healthier smile. Yet, a critical and often understated collaboration underpins every successful restoration: the relationship between the dental practice and the dental laboratory. As dentistry evolves, this partnership is essential for achieving optimal patient outcomes.

But how can dental teams and lab partners build a stronger synergy? By prioritizing communication, integrating cutting-edge digital workflows, and leveraging new technologies, practices and labs can create a more integrated future. Here are tips from several dental labs.


Building a stronger dentist-lab relationship

Megan Nakanishi, Owner, Nakanishi Dental Laboratory
There’s no questioning the power of a strong dentist-lab connection. In the past, these connections were formed through years of partnership focused on communication and trust. As a third-generation lab owner, I’ve seen the magic these decade-long relationships can have on dentistry. While it might seem challenging to forge these relationships in our busy, automated world, it’s entirely possible to do without needing decades of context.

Here are some tips to set the stage for a great relationship:
  • Visit your laboratory. Assuming everyone has access to a local lab (I do think this is important!), drop by and see the facility, meet the technicians who are working on your cases, let them “show off” a little with their technology and capabilities. This single visit can yield years of benefits in streamlining communication and fostering a closer relationship with your laboratory.
  • Set your expectations early. This ensures your lab partner is the right fit. Just because a lab accepts all cases doesn’t mean that lab is right for you. Do you prefer direct communication with technicians? Are you looking for a specialty in certain areas? Knowing the answers to the things you care about most can save you lots of time and frustration in the long run.
  • Assume the best intentions. Even the best lab can make mistakes. We are custom manufacturers, and perfecting every detail while keeping prices low and turnaround times fast is the ultimate challenge for us. Your grace in these situations (assuming these mistakes are few and far between!) can go a long way in building the relationship.

Gabriela Dobrikov, Director of Operations, Dani Dental Studio
Over the years, we’ve seen a clear pattern: cases consistently yield better results when there’s genuine collaboration between the dental office and the lab. When we’re engaged as a clinical partner, the workflow becomes more streamlined, the restorations more predictable, and the outcomes measurably better for your patients.

We understand how demanding daily practice can be, and it’s easy to fall into a routine of simply sending over a scan and Rx. Without clinical photos, occlusal parameters, or insight into patient-specific instructions, important nuances can be missed. These missed details potentially result in remakes, increased chair time, or suboptimal aesthetics and function.

Open communication, even just a quick call, case notes in the portal, or looping us in on treatment planning for complex cases, allows us to bring our expertise to the table early, offer input on materials and design, and align closely with your vision. That means fewer surprises and more consistent, high-quality outcomes.

We also place a high value on relationships. The better we understand your preferences, whether it’s margins, occlusion, or contacts, the better we can tailor each restoration to fit your clinical goals. When you know who’s fabricating your cases—who’s designing the framework, layering the ceramic, or running quality control before it reaches you—it builds mutual trust and shared accountability that enhances the entire restorative process.

Our goal is to work as an extension of your team, maximizing chair time efficiency and helping you create beautiful, lasting smiles.


The digital workflow: A new era of collaboration

Hannah Weber, Director of Operations, Stoller Dental Laboratory, Inc.
The shift from traditional to digital impressions has fundamentally reshaped how we do business. The speed, accuracy, and comfort of digital technology have not only improved our operational efficiency but also enhanced the quality of care we deliver to patients. While we’re already in a digital world, about 40% of the cases we receive daily are still being sent traditionally. However, digital lab technology converts all cases digitally for design and fabrication, regardless of the initial impression method.

Digital impressions eliminate the need for traditional molds, providing faster, more accurate results with less patient discomfort. CAD/CAM technology enables the design and manufacture of restorations and prostheses in-lab, reducing turnaround times and enhancing precision. Online platforms streamline communication between dental professionals, allowing for real-time collaboration on cases and sharing treatment plans. These tools increase efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and empower dental teams to provide top-quality care.

Digital impressions and CAD/CAM technology enhance precision, reducing human error. This results in restorations that fit better the first time, leading to fewer remakes and adjustments.

Digital workflows also eliminate manual processes, such as sending physical molds to labs, resulting in less time needed for designing, fabricating, and fitting dental restorations, allowing patients to receive treatment more quickly. Digital tools also allow for high-quality 3D printed models (if needed) and detailed imagery, improving case planning and treatment discussions. Dentists can share these models with patients and specialists in real-time, fostering better understanding and collaboration.

When starting with digital, pick a scanner that works best for your office, workflow, and expectations. Proper training is crucial. Using a scanner is not a cure-all; if the data is flawed, the final outcome will be too. A strong lab partner will happily provide feedback on your scan quality to relay any red flags or areas needing extra attention. Teamwork makes the dream work.


LJ Bignone, Lab Director, Puche Dental Lab
Moving beyond traditional impressions and into the digital age not only enhances workflows but also strengthens collaborative relationships, resulting in better patient outcomes. By embracing digital technology, you can revolutionize your practice and foster a more productive, collaborative partnership with your dental lab.

To maximize the potential of digital workflows, consider the following practical tips:
  • Invest wisely. Select high-quality intraoral scanners, CAD software, and online platforms that align with your practice’s workflow and budget.
  • Train your team. Comprehensive training ensures that staff can capture digital impressions correctly and utilize communication tools effectively.
  • Establish protocols. Develop standardized procedures for digital scanning, data transfer, and communication to ensure consistency and accuracy.
  • Collaborate with your lab. Maintain open, ongoing dialogue with your laboratory partner. Seek their input on technology choices and workflow optimization.
  • Start small. Begin with a few cases to troubleshoot and refine your digital processes before expanding your use.

Paul Valencia, CDT, General Manager, Ziemek Dental Lab
Digital dentistry is rapidly becoming the industry standard. Technology is more accessible than ever, with affordable and user-friendly intraoral scanners making the transition to digital workflows simpler for practices. In parallel, digital materials such as zirconia, lithium disilicate, 3D printing resin, and hybrid ceramics have become the standard for many clinicians because of their strength, aesthetics, and compatibility with digital manufacturing.

In 2019, our lab fully embraced this evolution, becoming a 100% digital laboratory. This digital-first approach ensures every restoration incorporates CAD/CAM technology, leading to remarkable precision, consistency, and control. The benefits have been significant: improved fit, drastically reduced remakes, and faster turnaround times. By eliminating the variables of traditional impressions and manual fabrication, we’ve streamlined production and enhanced overall quality.

Our digital workflows also enhance communication. We use multiple online platforms for clear, efficient communication, allowing clinicians to work directly with our technicians through design consultations, 3D previews, and more. This collaborative approach ensures faster, more precise results.


The rise of in-office 3D printing: How practices and dental labs can thrive together

Deborah Curson-Vieira, Director of Customer Care, Dental Prosthetic Services
In-office 3D printing has taken off in recent years, offering dentists greater convenience, speed, and control over certain types of restorations. Chairside-printed splints, models, and provisional restorations are becoming the norm in many practices. However, as this technology becomes more widespread, one question persists: Where does the dental lab fit in?

We’ve seen firsthand how practices are adopting in-house printing and view it as an opportunity to collaborate. We believe the real opportunity lies in building a hybrid model that combines the immediacy of chairside solutions with the depth of skill and technology that labs provide.

In-office printers can handle a range of simple appliances and provisionals. But when it comes to complex, aesthetic, or implant-supported cases, the dental lab remains essential:
  • Complex cases need precision workflows: Full-arch restorations, hybrids, and advanced implant cases require layered protocols, specialized equipment, and a level of detail that goes beyond the scope of most chairside systems.
  • Aesthetics still require artistry: Anterior work, custom shading, and layered ceramics are where dental technicians shine. These restorations are not just about fit and function; they are about achieving lifelike aesthetics and seamless integration.
  • Access to advanced materials: In-office printers can be limited to printable resins. Labs work with high-strength and high-translucency zirconia, lithium disilicate, metal frameworks, and layered porcelain that aren’t printable (yet).

Building a hybrid workflow: To make the most of in-office 3D printing, dental practices should develop clear protocols for when to produce in-house and when to collaborate with the lab. Many labs, including DPS, offer design services, remote consultations, and support for in-house printing workflows, helping to ensure that even same-day restorations meet clinical and aesthetic expectations.

By aligning the speed and accessibility of in-office printing with the precision, artistry, and material options of the lab, we can deliver better, faster, and more personalized care to every patient.


Charlie Corrao, Director of CAD/CAM, Maverick Dental Laboratories, LLC
While in-office 3D printers are a great tool to have, a partnership with a digitally advanced lab is still paramount. In-office 3D printing empowers dentists with the speed and autonomy to complete simple cases, but it is not a replacement for the precision, expertise, and resources of a full-service lab with a dedicated team of 3D printing technicians. Labs have access to advanced materials and higher-end printers, and employ specialized and fully dedicated 3D printing technicians.

A strong lab partnership gives dentists peace of mind so that they can focus on the patient and patient care, not equipment maintenance, troubleshooting equipment issues, digital designs, or adjusting the fit chairside because of an inaccurate print.


Conclusion
Ultimately, the journey toward optimal patient outcomes in modern dentistry hinges on a profound shift in perspective: recognizing the dental lab as an indispensable partner. We’ve seen how true partnerships have the potential to foster seamless communication and a shared commitment to excellence.

The integration of digital workflows has undeniably revolutionized this relationship, streamlining processes, enhancing precision, and opening new avenues for efficiency and communication. Even with the rise of in-office 3D printing, the lab’s expertise remains paramount, as their collaboration ensures the highest quality restorations and supports the strategic integration of new technologies.

This evolving relationship between dental practices and their lab partners is more than just a convenience; it’s a strategic advantage that directly translates to enhanced patient care, greater clinical predictability, and a more fulfilling professional experience for everyone involved. As technology continues to advance, the bond between dentists and dental labs will only deepen, solidifying their roles as co-creators of healthier, happier smiles.
Author Bio
Author Rita Acquafredda is president of Global Dental Lab and Prosthetic Solutions, Zahn Dental, the lab division of Henry Schein Inc. With more than 40 years in the dental laboratory industry, she began in a small lab supply business and now leads Henry Schein’s global dental lab operations. A founding member of Women in Dentistry, she has served on the National Association of Dental Labs board and is an active member of Henry Schein’s Women’s Leadership Network employee resource group that has provided a forum to empower, develop, and connect a network of women to drive business success since its launch in 2017.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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