5 Reasons to Look for a Dental Specialist with an On-Site Laboratory
Posted on 5/4/2022 by Neil Starr DDS PC |
When’s the last time you’ve been to a dental specialist with an on-site laboratory? If you haven’t, you might be missing out on the crucial benefits of the dental cosmetic process. You deserve someone who strives to give every patient the best smile possible, and a big part of being able able to achieve this as a dental specialist is through the use of an on-site dental laboratory.
Before I dive into the benefits of an on-site lab, it might help to let you in on what that looks like and what you can expect when you visit our facilities.
What is an On-Site Dental Lab?
An on-site laboratory lets a dental specialist produce their own dental cosmetic products right in the office— essentially cutting out the middle man entirely.
An on-site dental lab can produce things like veneers, crowns, bridges , night guards, and dentures. Having a dedicated laboratory technician who works in an on-site lab allows for greater communication, while also allowing them to view specifics regarding a patient’s procedure with them.
Many dental offices will outsource the production of their dental products, which leads to lower-grade results and higher prices for you. Keeping all the production in-house lets us monitor the quality and ensure you get the best prices.
Here are five reasons an on-site lab can be beneficial to your procedure.
Quality Assurance
Having an on-site laboratory allows for more control over cosmetics and the procedure in general. Direct communication with on-site lab technicians means less room for error when it comes time to produce veneers, dentures, crowns, and night guards. Being able to relay information to the patient allows team members to make necessary tweaks right then and there.
The problem with outsourcing dental cosmetics is that mass production doesn’t offer custom-tailored quality assurance. These companies just make sure that the product looks good enough to ship, but not everyone will have the same needs; what’s comfortable for one person may not be for someone else.
Unfortunately, while they check for quality, they don’t always necessarily hold the highest standards. This can lead to patients receiving underwhelming products that won’t even last them more than a few years.
On top of that, they may use cheaper materials to cut production costs. What this means for the patient is a more fragile product that may not even match their natural tooth color. An outsourced smile is a disappointing one, and we believe that you - and your smile - deserve better than that.
Aesthetics
Everyone dreams of having that perfect smile with flawless teeth. It fits the aesthetic that you want.
Cosmetic dentistry is meant to revive your smile, and as I mentioned earlier, you can’t do that with mass-produced cosmetics. Another benefit that comes with an on-site laboratory is that the expert technicians can craft the perfect smile for you, whether that's a pair of dentures, crowns, or veneers. You deserve someone who has the ability to match your natural smile as closely as possible so that you can look in the mirror and feel like you.
It’s impossible to replicate a unique smile through mass production and outsourcing, which is why I would implore you to avoid that route at all costs— especially if you’re paying hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Convenience
Waiting around for outsourced dental cosmetics is frustrating for patients because it can take weeks, if not months, to get something back. What’s worse is that if the cosmetic doesn’t fit or look right, all that time has now been wasted; there are few things more frustrating than wasted time.
An on-site laboratory lets patients see their cosmetics throughout the process, allowing them to request any changes immediately so that they’re not waiting for something that won’t meet their needs. It’s a major time-saver.
Another convenience factor is that since everything can be done in-house with an on-site labratory, restorations can be achieved in as little as one visit, eliminating the need for temporary restoration and follow-up appointments.
Reduced Costs
In addition to saving you time in the long-run, an on-site laboratory allows a dental office to offer patients premium cosmetic dentistry at a reasonable price. Because production wouldn’t have to be outsourced, you as the patient can save money by fitting the entire procedure into one visit, saving on appointment costs alone. A sparkling smile at a reduced price? It doesn’t get much better than that.
Skilled Technicians
Another plus to having an on-site laboratory is that you as the patient can have a deeper level of trust and familiarity with the staff. Patients generally feel better about entrusting their needs with a dental team when they have the opportunity to meet everyone involved, and that can include the lab technicians if there is a lab on-site.
With outsourced cosmetic dentistry products, you don’t get to have the interaction, and you may begin to doubt if you’re even working with a skilled professional. When it comes to your teeth, it’s understandable that you want the very best, and being able to havet hat trust and confidence in the team you’re working with can make all the difference.
An on-site laboratory gives patients a more hands-on approach to their cosmetic dentistry procedure because everyone should be able to have a say in the dental cosmetics that they’re going to be sporting.
Visit Us for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Needs
Whether you’re thinking about getting veneers, dentures, crowns, or you need a nightguard made, do yourself and your smile a favor and visit Neil L. Starr. As adentist with an on-site laboratory and a Dr. Saul Schluger Award for Clinical Excellence in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, I can promise you that you won’t regret letting me work on your procedure.
Our patient’s needs are our top priority. I serve patients from all over D.C., including Rockville, Potomac, Bethesda, and Alexandria. Schedule your appointment today and see why I’m the leading prosthodontist in D.C. |
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