One of the most common questions dentists/dental clinics get from patients is, “How to know if the dental lab is reputable?”
The concern is justified as dental restoration products like Dental Crown & Bridge Products are unlike any other cosmetic purchase. It will make or break how a person looks when they smile or bite food.
So, before you select a dental laboratory for your dental restoration orders, here are four questions you should definitely ask them.
#1 Do your products have ADA-approved materials?
If you are considering getting crowns and bridges, it is essential to ask the dental lab if their restoration materials are ADA-approved.
ADA stands for the American Dental Association – a non-profit organization that sets guidelines for safe practices in dentistry. You can trust that dental labs that use these standards have access to high-quality products and know how to use them properly.
Dental labs that use this certification can be trusted because they adhere to strict safety regulations when producing their materials.
#2 Does the dental lab use authentic manufacturer parts and hardware?
A dental lab should use authentic manufacturer parts and hardware when it comes to crowns and bridges. But what does this mean? It’s vital that the lab uses original parts from the manufacturer of your dental implants because they were explicitly designed for those specific implants.
Using authentic parts ensures the highest quality restoration by reducing risks such as –
- Long-term wear on your implant
- Infection caused by non-authentic materials (i.e., metal)
If you have questions about whether your dental lab uses authentic parts, be sure to ask them.
#3 What type of quality control checks are conducted?
Good quality control is critical for dental restorations. Asking about the lab’s quality control process will give you an idea of how much attention they pay to this part of the process. Ensure to enquire about –
- How often are quality control checks conducted on your products?
- What type of checks are conducted? Are they visual inspections? Do they involve measuring dimensions or checking tolerances?
- How do you review customer feedback and make changes to improve future products? If a customer finds a problem with one unit, does this directly impact production that same day or week?
- Does the lab have full-time employees who perform these tasks, or do you subcontract them?
#4 Do you outsource offshore companies to fulfill product orders?
Many of the products used in dental crowns and bridges are outsourced to countries with low labor and production costs, such as China or India.
Some labs do this without informing their dentist or the clinic at large. So, there is no way for you to know whether your lab is outsourcing its work overseas. It also leaves a question mark regarding what quality control processes are being put into practice.
Remember that the FDA does not have jurisdiction over foreign manufacturers – nor does the ADA require any particular standards from them regarding compliance laws.
Wrapping Up
Dental Crown & Bridge Products must be manufactured in the US to ensure that the products are safe and quality-checked. Choosing a dental lab that sends its orders to other countries should be avoided.
Many unknown risks are associated with using materials produced by foreign companies outside regulatory bodies. If customers get to know about this later, it can be an embarrassing ordeal for your dental clinic.
Read Also
- Disaster Preparedness in Healthcare: Lessons from the Field
When natural disasters, pandemics, or infrastructure failures strike, healthcare systems are often pushed to their limits. In rural and underserved areas, where resources are already stretched thin, the consequences can be especially dire. Disaster preparedness in healthcare is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a necessity. Over the past few decades, various healthcare… Read more: Disaster Preparedness in Healthcare: Lessons from the Field - Building Trust Across Distance: The Art of Leading Remote Radiology Teams with Purpose and PresenceIn today’s digital age, the way we work has changed—especially in fields like radiology, where technology allows specialists to read and interpret images from anywhere in the country. While this remote model of care has made it easier to bring expertise to underserved and rural communities, it’s also introduced new leadership challenges. Building and maintaining… Read more: Building Trust Across Distance: The Art of Leading Remote Radiology Teams with Purpose and Presence
- Teaching the Next Generation: Lessons for Young Doctors Entering the ERWalking into an emergency room for the first time as a young physician is unforgettable. The lights are bright, the pace is fast, and the stakes are high. For those fresh out of residency or medical school, it can feel like being dropped into the middle of a storm. That’s why mentorship matters so much… Read more: Teaching the Next Generation: Lessons for Young Doctors Entering the ER
- How to Drive Growth Through Customer Centricity in HealthcareThe world of healthcare is changing in big ways. Consumers are now stepping up and taking charge of their health journeys. This change is happening now for important reasons. The U.S. health and wellness market is huge, projected to be over $6 trillion in 2025. This growth is fueled by rising out-of-pocket costs and more… Read more: How to Drive Growth Through Customer Centricity in Healthcare
- Maximizing Digital Reach for Podiatry Clinics in Local HealthcareMaximizing Digital Reach for Podiatry Clinics in Local Healthcare As the healthcare industry evolves, mobile marketing becomes indispensable for practitioners. Podiatry clinics, focusing on foot and ankle care, must adapt to digital strategies to engage patients effectively. Implementing tailored SEO practices is crucial for these clinics to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Digital marketing… Read more: Maximizing Digital Reach for Podiatry Clinics in Local Healthcare
- Leveraging Virtual Medical Assistants to Maximize Operational Efficiency in HealthcareIn the increasingly complex and fast-paced world of healthcare, operational efficiency is critical. Doctors and healthcare administrators are faced with numerous challenges, from managing patient scheduling and medical billing to adhering to stringent regulatory compliance and insurance claims processing. These tasks, while essential, often divert time and resources away from the core mission of providing… Read more: Leveraging Virtual Medical Assistants to Maximize Operational Efficiency in Healthcare
